The drive to get here from downtown Bishop was an hour! It was looping around the mountains and we had to drive slowly at the curves. The views were so gorgeous that we did make a few stops. We parked in front of the Visitor Center and went on the Discovery Trail. It took us an hour to complete. We started on the right side of the loop, and I was just gasping for air. We saw the beautiful Bristlecone trees on the trail. As we continued on to the left side of the loop, we had to walk on the big red rocks. That part was not enjoyable at all as we had to be careful not to trip. However, the views were so wonderful. It's a clear trail, so there is no getting lost. read more

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A few notes for others trying to get to the Patriarch Grove this month. Locals already know this, but...you're not going to get here with anything but high-clearance 4WD right now. It's already a little slushy near the Schulman Visitor center, but beyond that, it's deeper, messier, and just not possible without an offroading vehicle. And even that might be a little dicey. So you might make it as far as the visitor center until it snows again, but it is now closed for the winter. A few other things to note: the elevation will make you THIRSTY. Bring more water than you normally would. And a hat/sunscreen, because the sun is more intense up here! Lastly, it takes a little *more* than an hour to get as far as the visitor center but is absolutely worth the drive! read more

Amazing. Long drive up there, but do not pass the is by of you have the time! The trees are fascinating. Did the loop trail (about 3 miles). Visitor center is awesome with great souvenirs and pine cones, history of the trees, etc. read more

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Absolutely worth a visit ,, seemed longer to get to than gps stated but keep going several different level hikes breathtaking views and the trees amazing beautiful ,, glad we finally made it to see the trees read more

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An incredible place! The trees are amazing and their story is so interesting. Love it here.

Stunning and a perfect view of the Sierra. Such a clear beautiful day. Wildflowers were stunning on the drive up. The Bristlecones are so beautiful. A definite must visits nice easy trails. read more

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100% yes!!!! You need to go. Just make sure your vehicle has good brakes and tires. Say hi to Dana the Forest Ranger. She was great!!!!! read more

NO THIS FOREST IS NOT CLOSED! The address for the listing is the forest service office in Bishop. This forest is a long drive from Bishop up a big mountain. Well worth the long curvy drive up from Bishop. This is some high altitude breathing up here! Over 10,000 feet elev. There's a nice parking area and a hike to see all the super old trees. 1000's of years old trees. They look dead, but they're not. Take lots of pics here. It gonna be way colder than it is down in the valley, and when you drive down the hill, be sure to use low gear, or you might burn out your brakes! read more

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest - Parks Near Me - Bishop, California

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This is a magical place. Not everyone is so fortunate to explore this forest. If you are able to take this adventure, you'll want to pop an aspirin as you ascend up a couple thousand feet. Trust me it'll help. The drive isn't too bad, I've drove worse, actually the trip to the Sierras was very scary, not this drive. Once you make it up, keep in mind there is no running water anywhere. Bring bottled water with you and a lunch. It's super chilly at this high altitude, if you have a jacket, hat, and gloves, bring those as well. We went in October, so it was burrrrr! Take your time and enjoy this place, you drove an incline of a couple thousand feet. We opted for the short trail, only because at high altitude we just get tired faster. It was a very nice hike. Saw some of those famous trees and a pika running around on the rocks...so cute! Check out the gift shop, they have a lot of cool stuff for sale. We sat down and enjoyed the informational video. Such a treat to visit this place. They are only open a couple months out of the year, when the roads are safe. Check it out and enjoy. read more

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The world's longest-living entities are the Bristlecone Pines, attaining ages in the neighborhood of 5,000 years. And this forest contains groves of these beautiful trees, protecting them for the future. How wonderful that our National Forest system is taking such good care of these unique and incredibly special life-forms. It was an honor to be in their presence. Since the forest is at an elevation of around 10,000 feet, make sure you and your car ready for the altitude. The visitor center is only open in the summer but you can visit the forest any time the roads are open. Check the weather and call the Inyo National Forest ranger station to check road conditions before you venture out. If there's snow on the roads, bring chains. Bring your hiking boots (or crosscountry skis if that's your thing and the snow sticks around.) We arrived just before sunset, which turned out to be the perfect time for pictures. Even though the visitor center was closed, there were numerous interpretive signs posted throughout the area to help us understand the life cycle of the Bristlecone Pine. Bring your own water (no drinking fountains available.) Vault toilets only. No cell phone reception, so let someone know where you're going before heading up. The road was a typical mountain road and very well maintained. Thank you, Inyo National Forest, for caring for and protecting these amazing trees. read more

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This place is so incredibly beautiful! What an experience it is to walk around the ancient trees. I loved walking around the visitor center; it was closed when we were there but the informative signs around it were good enough. We walked the 1 mile Discovery Trail instead of the 4 mile Methuselah Trail. We arrived in the afternoon and didn't have much time to do the 4 mile loop. At 10,000 feet, we knew that the elevation was gonna slow us down. The Discovery Trail was beautiful enough, though. There were lots of informative signs and enough Bristlecone Pines to capture your heart. We really enjoyed walking around them! It took us about an hour to finish the loop. I highly recommend coming here if you're in the area! The trailhead is next to the visitor center- which is about 1.5 hours from Bishop. Warning: it is a winding road up and down a mountain. Be careful and avoid in bad weather! read more

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest - Parks Near Me - Bishop, California

Worth the detour if your in the area. It's a good one to two hour stop. Check out the trees and go on one of the hikes. I wouldn't stay any longer. You pace a look out on the way up. We stopped and had lunch. read more

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest - Parks Near Me - Bishop, California

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109 degrees in Bakersfield. 100 degrees in lone Pine. 74 degrees at the bristlecone Forest. This is a perfect four mile hike. You will see amazing scenery, 3000 year old trees, and fantastic geology. The hike is rated as moderate, but this is probably due to the frequent up and down - changes in elevation. The interpretive signs are some of the best I've ever seen. If you're not up for a 4-mile hike they have a 1-mile alternative. If you're not up for a hike at all, just drive up there and walk a hundred yards or so up the trail and you will see these amazing trees. It really helps to read up on the geology and the history of the trees before you get there. I stopped here on a web driving from Mammoth lakes to Bakersfield. I'm certainly glad I did. Note: September 2020, visitor Center was not open and there is no one at the gate a few miles up the road. There were plenty of other visitors, but you are definitely on your own. No mobile phone service at the trailhead. At high altitudes you might get a brief signal. read more

They got a lot of old trees here. But, they ain't gonna tell you which one is truly the oldest of them all. That was the biggest letdown for us. The trail is named after the oldest tree in the forest but...you can't actually *see* the oldest tree. I get it, they are nervous about teens spray-painting it, it's just a bummer. The loop is a moderate trail with great views of these gnarly ancients. Be sure to grab a brochure from the visitor center so you can learn all the things! These are some of the oldest *non-clonal* trees in the world. They are older than Jesus. If you're a fundamentalist, they somehow managed to survive the great flood as well. read more

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I wouldn't call this a strenuous hike by any stretch of the imagination, it's definitely more of a leisurely 4 mile walk. The drive there can be a little bit though. If you're in this area and perhaps hiking one of the 14ker peaks and looking for a bit of altitude to hang out in I'd highly suggest Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. I met a guy at the top of Mt Baldy in LA a few weeks ago and while we were hanging at that summit, he was rattling off a ton of totally awesome places to visit. I'm so glad he mentioned ABPF. We arrived around 625P and knew we wouldn't have a ton of time before the sun set. We did the Methusaleh loop with the self guided (24 stops) brochure and were seriously the only people out there. It felt like we had the entire place to ourselves. We finished just as it was getting dark and some astro photographers were showing up. A bit off the beaten path but so worth it to see these ancient trees, the oldest living recorded beauties on Earth! read more

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Whenever I get the chance, I come up here. It's a piece of heaven to me. So quiet and peaceful. These trees are incredible pieces of artwork, sculpted by nature. It's tough going uphill at this altitude, so take it easy along the way. I have been all the way up past the Patriarch Grove, and up to the Barcroft Station at around 11,500ft. It's an incredible drive up there! read more

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One of the most unique forests I've seen, and I've been to twenty countries. Imagine this: oddly twisted, gnarled trees that are spread rather far apart on a ground covered with white rocks (hence, the White Mountains). This is a photographer's paradise! If you do a search on Google, you'll find a lot of photographers love this place, particularly for night photographers and others shooting star trails and "light painting" the bristlecone pines, which is what I was doing up at Patriarch Grove! Speaking of Patriarch Grove, it takes a bit more effort to get up there. It's 12 miles past Schulman Grove, which is where most people go...and it's 12 miles of bumpy dirt road. It's worth it, in my opinion, as Schulman doesn't really have what I've described so much. If you only have time for Schulman, in my opinion, the shorter of the two hikes is more picturesque and varied in terms of the trees. The longer hike, about a four-mile loop, does offer some good views of Death Valley to the east, but the bristlecone trees are not as picturesque as the shorter hike, and not even close to the ones at Patriarch Grove. Another tip is the altitude. Some people are susceptible to high elevations, particularly after drives along winding mountain roads (it's about 25 miles to Schulman Grove from Big Pine, and an additional 12 miles along bumpy roads to Patriarch Grove). If that's you, you should know that Schulman Grove is 10,000 ft (about 3050m) and Patriarch is 11000 ft. (3350m). I'm very fortunate in that I do well in high altitudes, having been to the Andes and Himalayas and done well. Take it easy when walking around and drink plenty of water because it's quite arid. Speaking of water....bring it up. Sure, the visitor's center (which was being rebuilt when I was there because some moron burnt it down) sells water, but you really need to be self-reliant here. No restaurants, stores, gas stations, etc. up in these mountains. But this is the idea, isn't it? To get away? The isolation produces some of the most unique trees in the world. And the *oldest* living things in the world. One tree here is 4700 years old. Walking among trees that were already ancient when Buddha or Jesus walked the earth is fantastic. Furthermore, after the trees die, they can remain standing for just as long. In other words, it's quite possible that some of these twisted wonders you see have been standing there for 10,000 years! read more

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest - Patriarch Grove at night (long exposure photo while "light painting" the tree), Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest near Big Pine. - Parks Near Me - Bishop, California

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It's a slight haul out there to be certain, but all the whines about how white-knuckling the road is are completely unfounded. It does twist and turn like any mountain road, but never once are you close to an edge and the road is perfectly paved the entire way up. We were there specifically to see the oldest living tree on earth! They won't divulge which one it is, because PEOPLE SUCK and may harm it. You do know it's in the grove, but it's only up to your imagination as to which it may be. As I hiked, I realized I should've asked some more questions to see if I could hone down the options further, but I honestly doubt very many staff members know; It'd only take one mis-guided and disgruntled ex-employee to spill the beans. Overall, very beautiful hike with fantastic views. You can get in just about any level of hiking effort that you're prepared to challenge yourself with and can make a FULL day out of your trip. We had 4 various hikes around the area that day, so just did the Methuselah Grove on this trip. read more

Otherworldly and beautiful here @ 10,000 feet. Best to be acclimated to that altitude for the hikes. We took the short - advertised as 1 mile - closer to 1 1/2 - but totally beautiful route. You see the Sierra Range rising up above the sage plain of the White Mnts. The Bristlecones are amazing, twisted & fantastical. All sculptors should visit. Approx 45 min ride up from 395 @ Big Pine. Road gets a bit hairy at times but it's paved to the visitor center. read more

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest - The beauts - Parks Near Me - Bishop, California

Fantastic. We took a short vacation to Bishop for the sole purpose of seeing the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. We went on a Monday morning in early October. Perfect time to go. Mid 50s with no wind to speak of. I would highly recommend going in the morning --- I'm guessing it gets very windy up there in the late afternoon. The Visitor Center is closed Monday through Wednesday, and the parking lot and trail were virtually empty. My daughter and I felt no effects from the 10,000+ ft altitude, but my wife, who has a heart condition, had to take a few breaks when we were hiking uphill. No worries, it just allowed us more time to enjoy the spectacular view. The trees are a view in and of themselves, but there's also great views looking eastward all the way into Nevada. The oldest trees have very little green vegetation, because in drought years the trees spend most of their energy staying alive, rather than producing green needles. So many of the oldest trees are primarily bark and branches, but they have been gnarled by the wind and the elements into very interesting and beautiful shapes. The trees are beautiful in an eerie, primordial sort of way. One more item checked off our Bucket List. read more

This place is the definition of "middle of nowhere" as it is literally not close to anything, so you have to want to want to go here and be willing to invest the time, but the ROI is beyond expectations! The Visitor's Center here is very nice with several exhibits explaining the importance and history of the bristlecone pines with lots of hands on displays and super informative rangers. Two trails of ancient bristlecone pines are directly accessible from the VC: the Discovery (just over a mile loop) and the Methusaleh (just under 5mi loop). The Methusaleh is where the oldest tree in the world is located, though it is unmarked to preserve its longevity. The Discovery Trail is a somewhat moderate (though can be strenuous due to the altitude as you are above 10,000ft here) loop that takes you past some impressively old and photogenic trees. The shale rock part of the backend of the trail is also impressive and has great panoramas of the area. A must visit if you are into impressive geology and the awe of nature's perseverance! If you both trails you will need at least 4hrs, but in honesty, 6hrs if you want to truly enjoy yourself and take it all in! read more

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If I could give this 10 stars, I would!! This is one of the most inspiring parks in the entire National system! These trees are the OLDEST living organism on earth and have been used to help calibrate the system of carbon dating ancient places. It redefines awesome to walk among living things that are almost 5000 years old; the peace and splendor are a truly soul-satisfying experience. To understand that these organisms have survived under some of the most extreme conditions for life on this earth gives a new perspective to our personal troubles and our need to protect Mother Earth. read more

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We drove our Jeep up 10,000 feet into the white mountains missing the turn for Bristlecone Pine Forrest. We second guessed ourselves and had to turn around after about 15 minutes (but it was a beautiful drive). Once we arrived we enjoyed talking to Ann in the visitors center. We took the longest hike (4 miles) eating our packed lunch at the first view spot. It was really a special day. Very beautiful. Side note: The campsite "Glacier View Campground" was at the base of the Bristlecone Pine Forrest (we camped one night) as we could leave our RV there, while we traveled up the mountain. $25 nightly fee which includes hook ups was a good deal. read more

Getting here is pretty easy. Turn off of Highway 395 and go east on CA 168, then it's another 23 miles to the parking lot. The visitor center was rather spacious, and the rangers were friendly and informative. There were the usual informative displays as well as a gift shop for souvenirs. The one thing we did not locate here was a movie theater to give us an overview of the area. But we really didn't need one. We hiked the one-mile Discovery Trail loop first. If you have only time to do one thing here, this is it. The trail is also a good way to get the Cliff's Notes version of the area, because you will see a little bit of everything. Bring your camera because you'll want to take a lot of pictures of bristlecone pines. I know we took a lot of pictures... Then we hiked the 4.5 mile Methuselah Trail loop. Make sure to take a brochure with you, or the numbers on the posts will have no meaning. This is a less popular trail, but the forest is teeming with bristlecone pines. Another huge plus: it is so quiet here! I stopped hiking, and there was a solid minute or two where I experienced absolute silence. No wind, no animals, no insects, no hikers, not sound in the world. One amusing item to note: the most photogenic trees here are the gnarled bristlecone pines, which happen to be the dead trees! read more

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest - Visitor center - Parks Near Me - Bishop, California

Beautiful place, nothing like it anywhere else. If you are limited on time the Methuselah Grove trail will get you close to the trees and great views. The patriarch grove however, is a bit of a different experience and I would recommend it if you have time to drive up an unpaved road. This does not require four-wheel-drive however there are a lot of sharp rocks and high ground clearance is recommended. My Volvo XC60 had no issues. Make sure you have a spare tire though just in case. Driving less than 25 mph recommended to reduce puncture risk. read more

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Susan M. We have similar resting heart rates, I'm glad my advice helped. The trees are miracles even though you feel, like I did, I was going to pass out reaching them. A personal question, when you asked your doctor if 100 bpm was dangerous, indicative of a heart problem, did he tell you it's in the normal range? Mine did to my dismay. No matter how much cardio I've done I've only lowered my heart rate to around 85 bpm. I envy great hikers who seem to hike like they have lungs on legs. I feel ashamed to ask the group to rest. read more

Just the drive up the winding mountain road to get to Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest makes it a worthwhile excursion. The rising altitude makes for ever more spectacular scenery and views that literally take the breath away. (That may partially be the thin air at 10,000 feet above sea level!) The Ancient Bristlecone Pines themselves are the icing on a tremendously majestic cake. Other-worldly is the expression that comes to mind. One of the world's most awe-inspiring wonders is surely to be amongst living things that are thousands of years old. It really is a "must visit" destination. Four wheel drive is best, but even without the option to go to the very end of the trail off-road provides, it's still absolutely worth it to experience seeing trees that were already a thousand years old when the pharaohs were building the pyramids! read more

Shulman's Grove is where a beautiful visitor center is situated. I took a couple of photos of a Bristlecone Pine from a nearby dispersed campsite. The two photos are of the same tree, just different angle @8,600'. Here are to exact co ords of where this tree is located: N37° 20.217' W118° 11.019' read more

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest - Near a dispersed campsite. Here are the exact co ords of WHERE this tree is located: N37° 20.217' W118° 11.019' - Parks Near Me - Bishop, California

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I grew up with a large tree in my back yard. When I was a young girl, I could be found regularly hiding amongst its branches, and occasionally leaping like a monkey into the above ground pool my father had built. Because of that tree, I grew to love all trees, and quickly learned how to hear their voice.. I was returning from a weekend adventure up the 395 and saw the turnoff... I had a little bit of extra time to scope out the area for a future trip but was really just trying to extend my trip by a few minutes. What better way than to commune with a few old trees before heading home. It was lovely......quiet.....the only sound was my boots crunching the rocks and twigs beneath my feet... God... If only I had this in my back yard. There wasn't much in the way of large, old bristlecones..But I could see a grove of these ancient trees across the mountain... But there was no time to search for Methusaleh. That Old Patriarch. Hidden high up in the mountains. There was a lot of new growth... Baby trees along side their elders..... And cones... Cones everywhere... With their promise of new life.... But I really come to search for Methusaleh.. Ancient of Ancients...feel like I'd know him.. If I saw him...even though his location is a closely guarded secret. Not too secret from me... I still remember your language. And there....there is a trail marked with his name... But Im just feeling out the territory.... For a future trip... read more

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I grow in dolomite soil facing harsh elements. My thoughts live for thirty years with minimal nutrients. Your wild fires will consume me, but I grow inspite of you. My bark is decimated, Yet I will weather it through. Strong winds spread innuendos of weakness, sickness and death. But winds do not contemplate what inspires my current breath. The forest seems so clueless in assuming I am dead. I am not dead already, I am already dead -- Nick, "Bristlecone Pine, Quoteland.com The poem by Nick from Kansas is an excellent summation of what a bristlecone pine would think, if it could think, after living for 4,000 years at the 9,000 foot elevation in Eastern California. I'm just about finished with my HWY 395 reviews, and have tried to them in itinerary order, but I missed this stop (in between Lone Pine and Bishop). And what a sublime stop it was! You start by taking windy and dippy HWY 168 off of 395 for approx. 11 miles and then take an even windier road up into the White Mountains (with spectacular vistas of the Valley and of the Eastern Sierras) to get to the bristlecone pine forest and Visitor Center. Right now the Visitor Center is a trailer but there is a new visitor center being built. The two main trails to see the trees are the Discovery Trail at one mile loop or the Methuselah Trail at 4.5 mile loop. Since it was late in the day, with my son, and there was a storm coming, we did the Discovery Trail. I'd like to come back and do the longer one. I was awed by the age of these trees as much as I am awed by the age of the Redwoods (although the Bristlecone Pine is no where near as majestic). This is a must stop when doing a HWY 395 tour although if you have any motion sickness issues you will be severely affected like my son was either going up or coming down. It is at altitude so only those in true hiking shape should really do the longer trail. Background on the bristlecone pine tree from Wikipedia: The bristlecone pines are the oldest single living organisms known (though some plants form clonal colonies which may be many times older). The oldest bristlecone pines are single plants that have been alive for a little less than 5,000 years. These very old trees are of great importance in dendrochronology or tree-ring dating. The oldest (non-clonal, acknowledged) living organism known is a bristlecone pine tree nicknamed "Methuselah" (after Methuselah, the longest-lived person in the Bible). It is located in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains of eastern California, however its precise location is undisclosed by the U.S. Forest Service to protect the tree from vandalism. The age of Methuselah was measured by core samples in 1957 to be 4,789 years old. read more

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Some things you do once in a lifetime. Visiting the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, for me, was one of those things. I had sought the Bristlecones out at Great Basin National Park in Nevada, only to find the road closed due to snow. I sought them out at Bryce Canyon, only to find the same thing. On a trip last October to northern California, I made it my mission to take a side-trip to visit these ancient beauties. The long, winding, scary (but paved) road up to the trees was a lot for me to take in. I realized if I could do that, I could do ANYTHING. When I got out of my car and I was among these trees, it all became worth it. They are quite magnificent and like nothing else I had ever seen. The fact that they have survived for centuries at an elevation above 10,000 feet is amazing. I opted to just visit Schulman Grove, because the Patriarch Grove is another 11 miles up an unpaved road. I did not want to risk a flat tire and being stuck up there at night. I walked around the Schulman Grove for a couple hours. Breathing that fresh cold air and walking among those trees made me happy. They are magnificent and I just loved being up there. This place is a MUST SEE. Don't let my whining about the winding road deter you. It was actually an excellent, nicely paved, road with beautiful scenery. I just don't like winding roads. It's 10 miles up to Schulman, but, again, it is all paved. The unpaved part is beyond the Schulman Grove. Visit here. Take everybody you know! You won't regret it. p.s. I am only posting one photograph and that's a photograph of myself because I was just so happy to be here. The rest of my photos are just like all the beautiful ones that have allready been posted by other people. read more

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest - This is my "I love me - and I love being among these trees" photo! - Parks Near Me - Bishop, California

Some of the oldest trees, or single living things for that matter, are found in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. Some of the Bristlecone Pines growing here are over 4000 years old. They were alive when the Egyptians were constructing the pyramids. And they've continued to live through the rise and fall of so many empires. Just chilling in the White Mountains while history rolls on. Schulman Grove, around 10,000' elevation, contains some of the oldest trees identified my Dr. Schulman. However, to prevent vandalism, the oldest tree, Methuseleh, is not identified. If you continue on past Schulman Grove, you can drive up an unpaved road, which is in pretty good condition for the most part, up to Patriarch Grove. I think the Bristlecone Pines up in Partriarch Grove are more photogenic, partly because the trees here are less crowded. One reason for this is that Patriarch Grove is at around 11,200' elevation, which is near the limit of the Bristlecone Pine's range. You can also see the largest Bristlecone Pine here, called the Patriarch. I ended up hiking all the trails in both groves, and spent additional time trying to find likely Methuselah candidates, so about 8 miles in all. The trails are not difficult and are suitable for families. Longest trail is a little over 4 miles. read more

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WOW!!! Did you know that Bristlecone Pines are the oldest trees in the world? Well if you want to see some of these beauties, then head on up to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains about a 60 to 90 minute drive from Bishop, CA. Many trees are over 4000 years old!! Methuselah, the oldest living tree, is not identified so as to not be vandalized. We drove up here in late April. We were fortunate to make it all the way to Schulman's Grove. A 4wd vehicle is recommended, but not required. The road up the mountain is very winding and narrow at some points so drive carefully. We had to stop at the vista point area a couple miles away from Schulman's Grove before continuing on. We waited for some of the ice on the road to melt. The visitors center was still closed in late April, but the trails were open. We tried hiking the Methuselah Trail first. The hike is a bit over 4 miles. After about a quarter of a mile, we turned around. The trail was too difficult to follow in the snow. Yes, there was lots of snow! I believe this ancient forest is at least 10,000 feet above sea level, but I could be mistaken. The Discovery Trail was so much easier to navigate. It is a 1 mile loop trail. There are benches situated along the trail for your resting pleasure. Saw some beautiful, gnarly, ancient Bristlecone pine trees which defied deascription! Pictures do not do them justice! I look forward to returning to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest!!! Need to explore the Methuselah Trail and the Patriarch Grove!! If you love Mother Nature, then go here!!! You will not regret it!! After you acclimate to the high altitude, you will enjoy walking here. So much beauty to admire and appreciate! Wish I could rate this GEM higher than 5 stars!! read more

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Hunched-over, with gnarly and crooked limbs and peeling bark, the Bristlecone Pines of the California White Mountains look like the little old ladies of the plant kingdom. Despite their distinction as the oldest living things on earth, they are osteoporosis-free, and as hard as the dolomite rock they grow in. Knock on wood, and you might just bruise your knuckles. After a brief stop at the Sierra View to behold the jagged spine of the Sierra Nevada range, we reached the end of the pavement and the aesthetic, newly-constructed visitor's center at the Schulman Grove. There, we chatted with the knowledgeable and energetic rangers, viewed a short and well-produced film, and hiked the intriguing 4-mile Methuselah Trail amidst the ancient timber. Half-way around the loop trail, Methuselah, the eldest, continues to live and breathe, alongside its cronies. Like a secret witness; however, Methuselah's exact whereabouts remains hidden for its protection. After a picnic lunch, we tore up the 12-mile graded gravel road to the Patriarch Grove to hang out with the largest of the Bristlecone Pines. Two short trails cut in the white, rocky earth, meander through this picturesque woodlet. The largest specimen, The Patriarch Tree, looking burly and fit, measures 36 feet around. Visiting the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is like calling on your 90 year old grandmother. She insists that you to sit down, have some cookies, and listen to her stories. The Bristlecones have about 5,000 years of tales to tell, so take a seat, have a couple cookies, and let the grand old ladies speak. read more

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest - The Patriarch Tree - Parks Near Me - Bishop, California

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Just to be clear, the address in Bishop is a forest service visitor center. The actual Bristlecone pines are about 45 minutes to an hour away from Bishop. Stopping by the FS visitor center is a good start. Check the weather and make sure you bring water, food, and sun screen. Schulman Grove is at about 9,000 ft. above sea level. That means the sun is more intense, weather changes quickly, and it's dry! Just be prepared and you'll have a great time! read more

Amazing, awe-inspiring, and humbling. To be in the presence of such ancient and enduring life-forms. These trees and the other life that calls the dolomite-rich White Mountains home are truly special. Highway 168 (which..amazingly, goes through my home town on the other side of the Sierra Nevada range), feels like an old wagon trail paved over..If you get car sick, beware..and the road to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is even curvier. I've been twice. The first time, we visited Patriarch Grove. The second, we visited Schulman Grove. Both are unique, and worth your time. If you decide to venture beyond 11,000 feet in elevation on the rocky dirt road to Patriarch Grove, be ready for a LONG bumpy trip. It took us almost two hours from Schulman Grove to reach Patriarch Grove in our little sedan--but our low-clearance vehicle made it, and we were treated to phenomenal views along the way. I absolutely loved the isolation of Patriarch Grove..we had the entire place to ourselves for half of our visit. There was one other car in the lot when we returned to our car--but I never saw another person. If you go, be sure to bring extra water; be prepared for any type of weather (high elevation can lead to sudden and extreme weather changes), and wear sunscreen! A visit to this place was at the top of my bucket list..and now that I've been, all I want to do is return and further explore this amazing part of Planet Earth! read more

High up in the White Mountains, very high, driving along a twisty road will net you sprawling mountaintop views; vast expanses of windswept, parched landscape and groves of these ancient trees. When you're up here, you are acutely aware of how remote it is. And even in the middle of summer, there weren't the usual crowds of tourists you would expect in a national forest. It was pretty hot, cooler than the towns below, but still in the upper 80's to lower 90's in the middle of the day. Schulman Grove is the most accessible with a new visitor center and several trails to choose from. At 10,000 ft, walking the trails may be a breeze for some, or challenging for people not acclimated to exerting themselves at this height. Benches are provided along some of the trails. Going further up the road, which is no longer paved, climbing higher, you will reach the other grove, Patriarch. It is doable with a regular passenger vehicle, but it's slow-going due to the conditions and only advisable if the conditions are ideal. I watched cars, even SUVs, crawling carefully down that road. NOTE: Not all the trees look like the ones you see in photos, all twisted and bent out of shape. If you're expecting to be wowed by every tree, this may not be for you. If you are a nature lover and/or photographer, it shouldn't disappoint. TIP: Bring food, water, sunscreen and wear a hat. Shoes with sturdy soles are recommended due to the rocky terrain - flip flops are not appropriate. read more

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I am not sure why anyone would rate this place other than a 5. Yes it is in the middle of nowhere. That is the point and what has allowed to to remain so special. Where else are you able to drive to visit trees that are thousands of years old. It is amazing that they even have trees lying on the ground that have been deal for the last 350 years and look like they could have died last year. The views of the valley and surrounding mountains also help capture the magic of this location. My recommendation would be to make sure you take plenty of water in the car and on the hike. Come early in the day so that you have plenty of time to view and walk. There is so much to see on the trail your average speed is definitely less that 1 mph. Oh, take a minute and smell some of the trees. It is also like smelling a newborn baby, but the opposite age. There was something strangely calming about it. What did I learn today? There are fields full of shale. I could spend days up here creating paver paths just for fun. read more

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I'm such a fan of this place. We've been here on numerous occasions after a hike in the sierras. It's a great way to wind down after the hiking. There's a short hike around the forest with benches to sit on and a visitor's center with rest rooms. They also have a small gift shop if you need to get a gift for whoever is taking care of your dog, or to take a souvenir back to remember your awesome weekend. The hike is fairly easy and it's good to bring some snacks and water to take breaks, as well as your camera because the views are awesome from the 3-4 mile hike. Plan on a couple hours to do it, but they also have short hikes, however you won't get to see the best trees. And the bristlecone pine trees are so unique and awesome, as they are 4-5000 years old. Yes, that is right.! One part is old and snarled and looks like it's died, but there is a new and fresh part that is so ALiIVE! read more

The discovery trail is great, the trees are majestic and worth a visit. We were going down the dirt road to visit the Patriarch grove and one mile into the journey the front tire on our truck has been destroyed by a small sharp rock. If you plan on going there drive slowly if you want to reach your destination. read more