The Methuselah Grove in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is the location of the "Methuselah", a Great Basin Bristlecone Pine more than 4,750 years old. This is 1,000 years older than any other tree in the world. "Methuselah" is not marked in the forest, to ensure added protection from vandals.
The Great Basin Bristlecone Pine and the Limber Pine are the only two trees able to survive the harsh environmental conditions in the White Mountains. We believe the above photo is a Great Basin Bristlcone Pine and the one below is a Limber Pine but it is hard to say for sure when they are younger trees. (we could be totally wrong)
The Bristlecone Pines roots grow close to the surface. Generally the ones where you see the bare, trunk those are the Britlecone Pines for sure. They no longer mark them because of vandalism in 2008 but we do remember them being marked the last time we were here. Just when you think you are looking at a dead tree you will see it still has live branches on it!
The Bristlecone Pines roots grow close to the surface. Generally the ones where you see the bare, trunk those are the Britlecone Pines for sure. They no longer mark them because of vandalism in 2008 but we do remember them being marked the last time we were here. Just when you think you are looking at a dead tree you will see it still has live branches on it!
It amazes me to see trees that have been alive since Jesus walked the earth. We have been to this forest before when the kids were younger but it has been a long time so we decided to include this in our trip this year to Mammoth Lakes just like we did Bodie this year. So we left early on the day we were heading home and stopped here along the way.
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is off of US Hwy 395 you turn east onto State Hwy 168 which is just north of Big Pine. Follow Hwy 168 east 13 miles to White Mountain Road. Turn left (north) and drive 10 miles to the Schulman Grove Visitor Center which is a dirt road. This drive takes you from about 3,000 ft up to 10,000 ft elevation! The Bristlecone pines can be viewed from the parking area of the visitor center and along three nature trails.
A view on the way down....
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21 comments:
Wow, Debby...I find that so fascinating. I'm a huge lover of trees! I can't imagine a tree being that old! Oh, the stories it could tell if only it were able!
i have a passion for dead trees and always have, they look like art to me. and these are amazing, dead and alive at the same time. the first one is just awesome. and of course the Christmas tree is beautiful, that is the type we had in the house at Christmas when i was a child. wonderful shot of the pine cone.
here is the link to my favortie dead tree,
http://snapperone.blogspot.com/2012/07/shadow-yard-art.html
Beautiful....it's amazing to think that all that is out there somewhere!
I can't get over the fact that they were there when Jesus lived. And how did they know that? They are amazing looking too - like a miracle! sandie
they're just fascinating and gorgeous!
Wow what a beautiful place to visit and so much history.
Nature is SO very amazing!! Thanks for all the information on this tree I had no idea but loved learning :-D
Those trees are so beautiful! I don't understand why people would vandalize them :(
Pretty trees.
all I can say is wow
So beautiful and I love the close up of the cones! This is a place I would love to visit someday. It's a shame they can't mark the trees because of vandals!
So worthy of a stop. Very cool.
I would love to go hiking around Bristlecone. The trees are fascinating.
Interesting trees those Bristle Cone pines. The twisted trunks are awesome.
those are beautiful photos Debby...wow those are old trees...I'm glad you were able to stop and visit...to share with us...
I love those spooky old trees!
Those trees look like something out of a fairy tale! Gorgeous :)
loving the tree photos! xo
So gorgeous -- a beautiful landscape captured beautifully.
:-)
Traci
I'm a fan of big old trees-amazing to think about some of these ancient forests.
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