Sierra Vista Scenic Byway
Exploring the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway
| Departure: | Start of Sierra Vista Scenic Byway, California |
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| Destination: | Fresno Dome, California |
| Time to allow: | 1 day |
Travel along the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway will provide visitors with breathtaking scenic treasures, as well as historic, cultural, geological and biological adventures. Books on flora and fauna of the Sierra Nevada, Native American culture of California, and geology of mountains in the west will provide background and insight for your trip. Other activities along the Byway include hiking, rock climbing, fishing, swimming, bird watching, rock hounding and camping.
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Start: Start of Sierra Vista Scenic Byway
The Sierra Vista Scenic Byway begins at the intersection of the Minarets Road (FS 81) and Italian Bar Road (Rd. 225). Visitors may choose to make a short side trip down Italian Bar Road to the "Exact Center of California," a geographical landmark.
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Stop 1: Redinger Overlook
Directions from previous place: Continue southeast on Minarets Road (FS 81).
Distance from Previous Site: 3.7 miles / 5.9 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 10 minutes Redinger Overlook gives visitors the opportunity to view the rugged San Joaquin River Gorge, carved by the San Joaquin River.
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Stop 2: Jesse Ross Cabin
Directions from previous place: Continue northeast on Minarets Road (FS 81).
Distance from Previous Site: 6.6 miles / 10.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 15 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes Built in the late 1860’s, this is the oldest known residence still in existence in Madera County. It is a log cabin that displays various technologies in foundation construction and log assembly brought west from the Midwest. The cabin was the center of a homestead and apple orchard settled by Jesse Ross. Until the 1930’s, this was “the end of the road,” and served as the beginning of the John French Trail which traversed the Sierra Nevada to Mammoth Lakes in the late 1800’s.
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Stop 3: Mile High Vista
Directions from previous place: Continue to follow the Byway on County Highway 81.
Distance from Previous Site: 12.5 miles / 20.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 25 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes This site is the showpiece of the route. It offers spectacular view of the heart of the Sierra Nevada, including the Minarets, Mt. Ritter (13,157’), Mammoth Mountain, and at least fifteen other names peaks over 10,000 feet. Directly below the vista is Mammoth Pool Reservoir and a view up the San Joaquin River canyon. Visible are several granite domes, such as Fuller Buttes and Balloon Dome, towering above the precipitous canyon giving an impression similar to Yosemite Valley.
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Stop 4: Arch Rock
Directions from previous place: Continue north on Minarets Road (FS 1), past turn off to Mammoth Pool and Wagner's Store.
Distance from Previous Site: 12.8 miles / 20.5 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 25 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes This is a unique geological feature formed by erosion. It is easily accessible via a short trail and viewing platform that were built as a Boy Scout project. At 6500 feet elevation, it lies within the red fir belt. The site is signed and there is paved parking, although the arch itself is not visible from the road. Interpretive signs explain the geologic process that formed Arch Rock and identify the red fir forest.
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Stop 5: Jackass Meadow
Directions from previous place: Continue north on Minarets Road (FS 81) 5.6 miles to FS Road 7. Turn left (west) on FS 7 and go 3.8 miles, passing access road to Minarets Pack Station and Bowler Campground. Part of FS 7 in graded road.
Distance from Previous Site: 9.4 miles / 15.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes Jackass Meadow is one of the largest meadow complexes in the central Sierra Nevada. It has an excellent wildflower display in the spring. Just to the north, the Balls loom above the meadow. The meadow is very popular with photographers. The meadow is accessed via a boardwalk from the paved pullout parking area, which includes handicapped and bus parking. A viewing platform at the edge of the meadow, with rails and seating, discourages people from walking on the meadow. Interpretive signs explain meadow habitat and wildlife and promote understanding of range management. This sign also enables the visitor to identify the lodgepole pine.
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Stop 6: The Balls/Portuguese Overlook
Directions from previous place: Continue west on graded FS 7.
Distance from Previous Site: 1.3 miles / 2.1 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 5 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 10 minutes The Balls/Portuguese Overlook – This site, at about 7200 feet elevation, is right at timberline. Behind the visitor are the Balls, great glacier carved granitic domes. To the front is an expansive vista of Shuteye Ridge and Chiquito basin all the way to the San Joaquin River and beyond. The elevation presents a timberline vegetation pattern. Above the road is an area alpine in character and below is the upper end of the red fir forest.
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Stop 7: Globe Rock
Directions from previous place: Continue west on Beasore Road (FS 7).
Distance from Previous Site: 4.6 miles / 7.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 15 minutes A geological oddity, Globe Rock is an improbably large granite sphere perched precariously, with the appearance that it will roll off at any time. This area has been visited for a long time, as there are Native American bedrock mortars in the base rock, and a photograph exists showing Teddy Roosevelt on horseback alongside the globe. Globe Rock is full visible from Beasore Road. There is an undeveloped parking area on the west side of the road, and a steep user-defined trail leading from the road to the rock.
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Stop 8: Cold Springs Summit
Directions from previous place: Continue southwest on Beasore Road (FS 7) past Jones' Store to its intersection with Sky Ranch Road (FS 10).
Distance from Previous Site: 8.5 miles / 13.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes Cold Springs Summit is the highest point on the byway at 7308 feet. It is also a crossroad where the Beasore Loop Road joins the Beasore Road. Here the traveler who has been traversing the byway from North Fork (southbound on Beasore Road) has the opportunity to continue on the byway by turning west towards Nelder Redwood Grove or continuing south to Bass Lake on the alternate byway route. This decision is important because the next eight miles of the byway are unpaved graded road and the travel time to Oakhurst without stops is approximately two hours. The alternate route is paved and only takes about 30 minutes to reach Bass Lake.
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End: Fresno Dome
Directions from previous place: Follow graded section of Sky Ranch Road (FS 10) northwest, and then southwest.
Distance from Previous Site: 6.8 miles / 10.9 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 15 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 10 minutes Fresno Dome is a dominant feature above Soquel Meadow. It is a large granitic dome that stands alone above the forest. It was mentioned by John Muir after he visited the area. The dome is three miles off the byway, but is visible from several locations. This viewpoint is one of the better views from the byway. Also, this is the last stop on the byway. There is a paved parking area on the east side of Sky Ranch Road, with a short paved walkway to the viewing area. Interpretive signs include geologic information and conclude the byway story.
