Home to the oldest trees in the world, bristlecone pines, some exceeding 4000 years of age and exhibit spectacular growth forms of twisted and beautifully colored wood and includes several self guided trails
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Scenic Byway closes at the Sierra View Gates with winter snowfall. While closed to vehicles, this is a popular route for cross country skiers and snowshoes.
The visitor center at Schulman Grove is only open in summer.
How to Get There
From Bishop (38 mi): Head east on W Line St toward Fulton St. Turn right onto US-395 S/S Main St. Continue to follow US-395 S. Turn left onto CA-168 E. Turn left onto White Mountain Rd. Continue straight to stay on White Mountain Rd. Turn right. Turn left.
Overview
Overview
The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains east of Bishop, in Inyo National Forest, is home to some of the oldest living trees on Earth. Twisted, weathered Great Basin bristlecone pines grow between 9,800 and 11,000 feet, and the forest’s “Methuselah,” about 4,850 years old, is the oldest known non-clonal organism in the world. Its location is deliberately unmarked to protect it.
Things to Do
- Schulman Grove: the visitor center and three self-guided trails, with ranger talks from mid-June through Labor Day. The 4.5-mile Methuselah Grove loop begins here.
- Patriarch Grove: reached by the last 13 miles of unpaved road at 11,000 feet, home to the world’s largest bristlecone, the Patriarch Tree, and a nature trail.
The groves are about 30 miles from Bishop, and the road is generally open from mid-May to the end of November, weather permitting. Drive slowly on the unpaved section, since sharp rocks can cause flat tires.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles "Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest", which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0
Featured Trails
Patriarch Grove Trail
0.4 mile loop, 78 feet
This beautiful and quiet grove in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest includes the world's largest bristlecone pine, the Patriarch Tree
Schulman Grove
Discovery Trail
0.9 mile loop, 265 feet
Features Ancient Bristlecone Pines, interpretive signs, and rest benches along the trail
Methuselah Trail
4 miles loop, 761 feet
The Methuselah Tree is along this trail, but there is not a sign that points it out. This trail can be combined with the Bristlecone Cabin Trail
