TCT #35 -- The Bennett Juniper

Bennett Juniper at home
in Sardine Meadow

Tuolumne County is home to the Bennett Juniper, the largest living Western Juniper and, aged between 3,000 and 4,000 years, one of the oldest trees on Earth.  In late August, I joined a group of folks knowledgeable about the tree and dedicated to taking care of it on a field trip to its grove off of Eagle Meadow Road.

First, I'd like to expound about the attributes and other attractions of Eagle Meadow Road.  It's also known as Forest Road 5N01 and is located east of Strawberry just before the Donnell Vista.  The road closes in the winter.  It's paved for about five miles then becomes dirt and gravel necessitating a high-clearance vehicle.  Well, not super-high clearance - any SUV should make it; a Honda Civic or a Prius, not so much!  The first of several worthy options (and the only one not requiring high clearance) is the "Trail of the Ancient Dwarves."  This is a fairly easy hike with about 100' in elevation gain.  Observe old dwarf conifers as you walk a portion of the historic old Sonora-Mono Toll Road, an out-and-back of about 2 miles.  (To get there, just after turning onto Eagle Meadow Road, turn left on Forest Road 6N24 and drive through the Niagara Creek Campground.  The road ends; park and cross the footbridge over Niagara Creek and you're on your way.)  If you have a high clearance vehicle, you have access to the full extent of Eagle Meadow Road and the treasures on its unpaved portion.  Continuing toward Eagle Meadow, you'll have views of the Dardanelles and drive through Aspen groves which are quite colorful in the fall, making this a prime autumn outing. 

Aspen Grove along Eagle Meadow Road
Photo by Barbara Dresslar

Just off Eagle Meadow Road, a short dusty, bumpy ride on Forest Road 5N15X is Barn Meadow, a gem where Basque shepherds once camped. 

Trail Heads in Barn Meadow

There is a horse camp at Eagle Meadow which is also a trailhead for hikes at Eagle Meadow and up to Eagle Pass.  The fall colors can be stunning, so get out of your car and take a walk.  The Eagle Meadow loop, at just over 2 miles, is easy-to-moderate.  Eagle Pass trail is a strenuous eight mile round trip out-and-back trip.  It has color pockets of its own, and there are great views down into Eagle Meadow and of Eagle Peak.  Once you're up at the pass (just under 9,000'), be sure to trek to the east to get a breathtaking view of the Three Chimneys.  See this link for details and the GPS coordinates to the Eagle Meadow Horse Camp Trailhead:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/stanislaus/recreation/horseriding-camping/recarea/?recid=81681&actid=30

Back to the Bennett Juniper!  The Bennett Juniper is about five miles past Eagle Meadow; the adventure getting there starts immediately as you drive through Eagle Creek then Long Valley Creek a few miles later.  To help you get there, here is a link with a description of the tree and its GPS coordinates:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/stanislaus/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=81692&actid=50

Ken Brunges, longtime caretaker of
the Bennett Juniper.  Ken has retired.
Photo from Summer 2016

While it felt a little audacious -- people discussing the future of a tree -- everyone at the August meeting was respectful and earnest.  Here are the folks who attended and who you'll hear in the radio show:  Ross Carkeet, retired Columbia College Forestry professor; Ellie Routt, Executive Director of the Mother Lode Land Trust; Chris Wright, MLLT Board President; Anthony Castanos, Land Stewardship Manager at Save the Redwoods League, Faith Rumm, artist; Brian Kermeen, Tuolumne County Land Trust; Peggy Dylan and Steve Brougher, nearby cabin owners; John LaTorre (carpenter) and his girlfriend Sharon.  Here's a link to the radio show: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oPD9qQDfo0Z5re7vMvD-AEOcRekF4nwL/view?usp=sharing

The Bennett Juniper is considered by the Tuolumne County Historical Society to be one of the "21 Wonders of Tuolumne County."  Here's a link to their list of natural and manmade wonders.  How many have you visited?  https://tchistory.org/TCHISTORY/Wonders_of_TC.htm

If you've been so moved, you may make donations to benefit the Bennett Juniper to the Mother Lode Land Trust.  Here's a link to their donation site:  http://motherlodelandtrust.org/.  And remember, Ellie mentioned that a percentage of your donation is matched on Giving Tuesday (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving).

October 2020, Trail Heads at
Telescope Peak, an
uncataloged peak at about 9000'
near the Bennett Juniper.
Pictured:  Mike, David, Wendy,
Gary & Ross. Photo by Barbara Dresslar