High up in the White Mountains of California, lies the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, filled with beautifully twisted and weathered ancient trees that are more than 4,000 years old!
When I first heard about this incredible ancient forest, I was floored. First, I had no idea that a single tree could live for over 4,000 years! That simply blew my mind. Second, I couldn’t believe how accessible these ancient trees were. And third, I was utterly shocked to learn that the oldest trees in the world were located in the United States! This was one destination that I couldn’t wait to visit.
Where is the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Located?
The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is located in the Inyo National Forest of the White Mountains in eastern California.
Fun Fact: Inyo means Dwelling Place of a Great Spirit
This forest is about 2 hours north of Death Valley National Park and about 2 hours south of Mammoth Lakes, CA.
10 Traveling Feet Tip: This would be a perfect road trip addition if you are traveling from Death Valley to Yosemite National Park by way of Tioga Pass. (or vise versa)
How to Get to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
From the town of Big Pine, CA, it is only a 45 minute drive up into the mountains, on CA-168. This will bring you to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Visitor Center in the Inyo National Forest.
Travel Tip: This road is twisty and it climbs 4,000 feet in just 25 miles.
Top Trails to Hike in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
There are two main hiking areas in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest:
Schulman Grove
- Home of the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Visitor Center
- And home of the World’s Oldest Bristlecone Pine, The Methuselah Tree
Patriarch Grove
- Located 12 miles past the visitor center on an unpaved road with a speed limit of 15 mph suggested to avoid flat tires punctured by sharp rocks on this road.
- Home of the World’s Largest Bristlecone Pine, The Patriarch Tree
Our family chose to just visit the Schulman Grove with the visitor center and home to the World’s Oldest Bristlecone Pine.
Schulman Grove & The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Visitor Center
- Fees: $3 per person or max $6 per car (America the Beautiful Pass is accepted & the Free Every Kid Out Doors -4th Grade National Park Pass is also accepted)
- Picnic Area
- Toilets
- No water fountains or spigots are here. Bring your own water. Bottled water is sold in the bookstore.
- The nearest source for food, water and fuel is Big Pine, CA.
- Visitor Center is open in the summer with interpretive programs, gifts and information about the trees.
- Bristlecone trees can be viewed from the parking area and boardwalks around the visitor center.
- 3 Self-Guided Trails all begin and end from the Schulman Grove Parking area.
- Discovery Trail – One mile loop that climbs about 300 feet and features 4,000 year old Bristlecone Pine Trees. There are interpretive signs and rest benches along the trail. (Time Needed: 1 hour)
- Methuselah Trail: A 4.5 mile loop with a cumulative elevation change of 900 feet. Numbered posts and a brochure guide you along the trail. Several rest benches have scenic views. The Methuselah Tree (the oldest 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. (Time Needed: 2-4 hours)
- Bristlecone Cabin Trail: 3.5 mile total loop. Offers views of the old miner’s cabins and mine entrances of the Mexican Mine, and passes many ancient bristlecone pine trees. Return on the Methuselah Trail for the full 3.5 mile loop.
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Hike – Discovery Trail
Our family chose to hike the 1 mile Discovery Trail Loop (counterclockwise) with our children (ages 6, 8 & 10) and it was perfect! (Keep in mind when choosing a trail that you are at about 10,000 feet in elevation)
When our family began hiking the Discovery Trail, at first we didn’t even know what a Bristlecone Pine Tree looked like. Luckily there are great interpretive signs along the trail that will quickly help guide you to know what you are looking at. And it wasn’t long before our children were “experts” in pointing out all of the Bristlecone Pines along the trail.
Hiking Discovery Trail was a Fantastic Experience!
The landscape of this forest was so different than I had been expecting. It was so dry and arid, and yet so full of life, ancient life.
Hiking Tip: Be aware that there are a few uphill climbs along this trail. And at 10,000 feet, it can take a little more out of you than when hiking at sea level. But there are benches placed in various locations along the trail in case you need to rest.
I was surprised by how beautiful the Bristlecone Pine Trees were. Their colors and twisted structures were completely unreal.
And to imagine the changes in the world during just one of these trees’ lifetime is simply incredible.
Ancient Bristlecone Pines
(And Their Fascinating Survival Story)
Here, at 10,000 feet above sea level, the bristlecone pine trees have managed to survive in this arid, mountain desert environment of California for more than 40 centuries. They have adapted to severe weather (both heat and cold), grow in dolomitic (alkaline) soil, and can endure long periods of drought. And somehow they have managed to thrive where other trees and animals can not. (This also means that their competitors and pests are few.)
The Bristlecone Pine Trees not only have an incredible survival story, but their ancient-looking trunks with gnarled branches and spectacular colors are so artistic looking and absolutely fascinating to see.
Along Discovery Trail – My Favorite Bristlecone Pine
About 3/4 of a mile in on the Discovery Trail, going counterclockwise, the trail opens up and follows along the mountainside. Here is where I found my favorite, stand alone Bristlecone Pine Tree (see below) which I thought was insanely picturesque.
And if you turn around at this spot, (see below) is this tree’s view. What a spectacular vista to have for 4,000 years.
But what’s also incredible about this view is how you can see exactly where the tree line stops, and where the Bristlecone Pines themselves can no longer survive.
10 Traveling Feet Family Tip
While hiking through the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, one great experience to have, especially if you are hiking with children, is to bring a small magnifying glass so that you too can try and count the tightly packed rings from some of the fallen Bristlecone Pines along this trail.
This was a fantastic way for our kids to learn all about how trees grow, how we know their age from counting their rings and about what incredible feats it took for these amazing Bristlecone Pine Trees to survive.
Kids Might Also Enjoy:
- The Nature Explorer Kit for Kids – featuring a magnifying glass, binoculars, a hand-held fan, a 5-in-1 tool, and more!
- Bristlecone Pines Are Ancient! (World’s Weirdest Plants) – A great book that teaches kids all about what they will find in this bristlecone pine forest!
Adults Might Enjoy:
- Bristlecone Book: A Natural History of the World’s Oldest Trees – Follow a tree’s lifespan from seedling to a great old age. Learn the explanation behind their unusual colors and structure that makes them so picturesque. Discover the secrets to their long life. Find beautiful photos, a map to the location of the Bristlecone Pine groves and more!
After hiking the 1 mile Discovery Trail Loop our family slowly made our way back down the mountain, enjoying this spectacular scenery, and reveling in our incredible experience of seeing the oldest trees on earth, the Ancient Bristlecone Pines.
Have a Great Time Visiting the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest with Your Traveling Feet!
Lodging Nearby:
- Big Pine, CA Lodging – just 45 minutes from the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center
Where We Stayed:
- Mammoth Lakes, CA – This is a 1 hour 50 minute drive from the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center. Mammoth Lakes is a fun ski resort community. We visited in June and really loved this fun little town.
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