| Height: | 195.00+ ft | (59.44+ m) | Elevation: | 6,895 ft (2,102 m) | GPS Latitude: | 36.13750 |
| Volume: | 26,100 ft3 | (739 m3) | Creek: | Freeman Creek | GPS Longitude: | -118.53391 |
| Width: | 21.49 ft | (6.55 m) | Grove: | Freeman Creek Grove | Discovery Date: | 1926 |
| Age: | Park: | Giant Sequoia NM | Discovered By: | Alfred W. Bannister |
Notes: Bannister, also known as Bannister's Tree, Freeman Snag, and Sequoia Yah, is the 3rd largest tree in Freeman Creek Grove. The tree was named to honor grain merchant and entrepreneur Alfred W. Bannister of Bakersfield. Originally much larger, Bannister lost considerable volume after fire burned the treetop soon after its discovery in 1926. The trunk lost significant height and volume after it burned again in the 2020 Castle Fire, but the tree survived.
Drive: Bannister is 243 mi (391 km) southeast of San Francisco near the city of Porterville.
Northbound: From U.S. Interstate 5 North, transfer to California State Route 99 North. From California State Route 99 North just north of Bakersfield, transfer to California State Route 65 North toward Porterville. Near Porterville, transfer to California State Route 190 East.
Southbound: From U.S. Interstate 5 South in Sacramento, transfer to U.S. Highway 50 East toward South Lake Tahoe. Drive east 1.7 mi (2.7 km) on U.S. Highway 50 and transfer to California State Highway 99 South. Near Tipton, transfer to California State Route 190 East toward Porterville.
From Porterville, drive east 41 mi (66 km) on California State Route 190, past Camp Nelson and Cedar Slope, and turn left/north onto Forest Service Road 21S50 (North Road). Drive north 0.4 mi (0.6 km) on Forest Service Road 21S50 (North Road) and turn right/east onto Forest Service Road 21S99 toward Freeman Creek Trailhead. Drive east 150 ft (46 m) on Forest Service Road 21S99 and turn left/north onto Forest Service Road 21S99A. Drive north 0.2 mi (0.3 km) on Forest Service Road 21S99A to the parking lot at the end of the road.
Road Warning: Forest Service Roads 21S50 (North Road), 21S99, and 21S99A are closed during winter. Depending on weather conditions, these roads are usually open from May through November.
Hike: GPS-assisted navigation is recommended for this hike. From the trailhead at the northern edge of the parking lot, hike northeast 0.9 mi (1.4 km), past the gate, on Freeman Creek Trail to the trail exit point near 36.13814 -118.53434. Leave the trail here and, using a GPS device, hike southeast/downhill 0.1 mi (0.2 km) off-trail to Bannister.
| Rating: | Easy | One-Way Distance: | 0.9 mi | (1.4 km) | Ascent: | 173 ft | (53 m) |
| Time: | 30 min | Off-Trail: | 0.1 mi | (0.2 km) | Descent: | 400 ft | (122 m) |
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Panoramas: Click panoramas to take a virtual tour of Bannister Tree
Photos: Pictures of Bannister Tree taken from different sides
