Introduction:
What? :
The 4.2 mile out and back route to Bald Mountain Lookout at 9382 ft is offroad dirt road that is open to motor vehicles.
The summit of the mountain has no trees offering gorgeous non limited views in all directions.
The 69 miles Sherman Pass Road (Forest Route 22S05 / County Route J41) is a paved route crossing the southern Sierra Nevada mountains, with steep switchbacks sections, high plateaus, pine forests and large breathtaking meadows.
At an elevation of 9,200 ft at the pass It’s one of California’s highest highway passes—the third-highest, after Tioga and Sonora passes.
Although “only” 69 miles long road plan for at least half day drive, you also need to drive to/from the far west end of the drive to your next destination.
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Where? :
This area is in the Sequoia National Forest near the southern tip of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
The trail leading to the mountain peak starting point is located six miles east of the Sherman Pass Vista, this is about 5.9 miles west of USFS SQF Blackrock Fire Station.
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The start of Sherman Pass / Kennedy Meadows drive on the west side is on highway 395 and on its east side is on highway 99.
When? :
The road typically opens in late May or early June after the winter snows melt and remains open until late fall or early winter when heavy snowfall forces its closure.
If you plan to visit early spring check if it is open before driving here.
Due note 1:
The road is paved for all its length, most in good conditions.
Expect tight turns, some sections with steep grades (up to 10%), and changing landscape.
Due note 2:
Don’t assume service or fuel availability along this drive even if sometimes you can fill up at Kennedy Meadows General Store.
The nearest fuel station on highway 395 is at Pearsonville just south of the start of the road.
The nearest fuel station on the east side is at Kernville (highway 99, 20 miles south of the road end/start)
Due note 3:
Some large sections of the forest were burned in the 2002 McNally Fire.
Due note 4:
A large network of OHV trails, 4x4 offroad drives, forest roads, and trailheads can be found all over the high elevation and the forest area.
Due note 5:
There are three main campgrounds in the forest area: Kennedy Meadows CG, Fish Creek, and Troy Meadows.
Due note 6:
The road climbing up to the fire watch tower is steep and ragged and requires high-clearance 4×4.
I will rate its difficulty as low, no major obstacle to overcome except some loose gravel.
Due note 7:
There is no cell reception at the mountain peak and the flat high area.
Make sure you have an offline map.
Due note 8:
As always with offroad drive: make sure your car is in good offroad conditions, you have enough fuel, good spare tire and exchange kit, first aid and basic towing and recovery tools.
Before climbing up, deflate your tires to a safe tire pressure for rocky off-roading terrain.
Due note 9:
Bring enough water and food for your stay here.
Due note 10:
This area is National Forest (Kern River Ranger District), it is public land, no fees or overnight permits for dispersed camping are needed.
Respect the rules and regulations of the National Forest.
Due note 11:
Dog friendly area.
My thoughts:
I wanted to do this drive for many years and finally I found the opportunity during July 2025.
I decided to extend the road drive with few offroad drive experiences.
This was a relatively short and not challenging drive up to the close gate and from there a short walk up to the fire watch tower.
The view from the tower level is an amazing 360 degree panoramic landscape of all the south sections of the southern Sierra mountain.
I was the only visitor out there and I had a long talk with the nice and friendly fire watchman.
He is living in the fire watch tower for about 6 months during the summer, all the way to the first snow storms of the winter.
The offroad Drive:
From Herman Pass road junction the dirt road (22S77) heads south as it steadily climbs 770 ft toward the peak inside the forest.
After a few turns and climbs you will reach the end of the road (1.7 mile from the road), blocked by a closed gate.
There are few parking spaces here.
From here you need to walk up to the nearby mountain peak and the lookout tower.
Bald Mountain Lookout at 9,382 ft and it provides views of over 1000 square miles with a view of Sequoia National Forest, Domeland, Kern highland flats, Golden Trout and South Sierra Wilderness.
The Bald Mountain Fire Lookout first became active in 1951. The lookout tower used today was constructed in 1955.
This tower is one of only 4 other active fire lookouts that are still operative by the forest service today in California.
No more than 4 people are allowed on the lookout at a time, as there is very little space.
The lookout tower is open to the general public Thursday through Monday, from 9:30 am until 6:00 pm, and the forest ranger was very friendly.
He and his dog are the only residents up here.
We talked for a long time and he shared with me his experience of living in such a remote place for 6 months every year during the summer for the last 10 years.
From atop the fire lookout tower, on a clear day you can see Olancha Peak and Mount Whitney, 40 miles to the north.
Right below you to the south you can see the large granite bald mountains and domes of an area known as Domeland. You can also see McNally Fire 2002 damage all over the forest below you.
To the east you can see Kennedy Meadows' vast area and in good visibility conditions you can see all the way to Telescope Peak in Death Valley, about 50 miles away.
To the northwest you can see the high mountains of Sequoia National Park.
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