Benton Crossing Road - Eastern Sierras
Sometimes the journey holds as much joy as the destination. Today we’re traveling to Mammoth Lakes, CA to enjoy the beauty along Benton Crossing Road, a true jewel located just off Highway 395.
Benton Crossing Road, also known as Benton Pass Road, connects Mammoth with Benton Hot Springs. This road receives minimal vehicle traffic, making it a popular place for bicyclists, as well as photographers who love capturing the Eastern Sierra peaks and White Mountains. There are plenty of places to stop and snap stunning photos here, including views of the Owens River and the north shore of Lake Crowley.
Benton Crossing Road winds for 30 miles and the picturesque scenery is visible right from the start. The turn off is easy to spot from the 395 if you just look for the Green Church, and you’ll enjoy the vast mountain views all along your leisurely drive. As you reach Highway 120 you’ll be greeted with another impressive formation, the beautiful Benton Crags. This is a wonderful place for hiking, photography and both traditional and sport climbing.
If you continue on Highway 120, you’ll reach the historic town of Benton Hot Springs. Established in 1852, Benton was once a thriving mining town. Now you can soak in the natural hot springs here (consider the Inn At Hot Springs) or enjoy an afternoon stroll along the self-guided historic walking tour where you can see the WaiWera Hotel, the old jail house, and more.
Know Before You Go
• Please be considerate of the Leave no Trace Principles to help keep this place wild and beautiful.
• Cell service is almost non-existent along this road, so don’t rely on your phone for maps/directions here.
• At the crossroads of Benton Crossing Road and Hwy 120, consider adding on a visit to the beautiful Black Lake Preserve.
• The road can close in Winter due to heavy snow fall, so check the weather and current road conditions before visiting.
• If you’re looking for that Instagram shot where the road lines up perfectly with the massive Eastern Sierras, make sure to grab your free Photo Guide below, which includes map pins of the exact locations. And in order to achieve the really large mountain effect, make sure to bring a zoom lens of at least 100mm.
Other Local Mammoth Points of Interest
• Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
In Summary & Behind the Blog Video
Thanks for joining me in taking the road less traveled today. For a fun behind the scenes look at my journey along Benton Crossing Road, enjoy my “Behind the Blog” Youtube video below…and until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
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