It's About the (RV) Journey....: Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest..................

The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, located in the White Mountains in Inyo County, CA, is home to the oldest trees in the world. Some are 3000-4000 years old! The drive up to the Visitor Center is interesting in itself....twisty, curvy roads up about 6000 feet! The Bristlecone Pine Forest is at an altitude of 10,000 feet. You can imagine the views...just awesome. For more information, click here or here.

the information center (closed for season) for the Bristlecone Pine Forest....this is on 395, at elevation 4000 feet or so

a giant sequoia dedicated to Teddy Roosevelt (who I greatly admire for all he did for national parks!)

Thank you Teddy!

roadside flowers

so pretty

the road twists and turns through the White mountains, increasing in elevation by 6000 feet

we weren't sure if this was a research area only, but this WAS the right way (there is nothing out here but a few campgrounds)

After driving up the winding, curvy mountain road for over half an hour, we spotted this scenic overlook and picnic area and stopped to admire the views. WOW is all I can say. Its surreal. We were a little anxious about the dark clouds that seemed to be heading our way. The weather changes so quickly in the mountains, and we didn't want to get stuck with a little dusting of snow making the roads slick. The road was harrowing enough, especially the last 5 miles.

stopping at a scenic overlook/picnic area

a little worried about the dark clouds heading our way

that's an awesome picnic spot

wow!

the views are amazing

the clouds drift through the mountains

the drive up here was interesting -especially closer to the Visitor Center-wow, those last 5 miles!

When we pulled into the parking lot at the Visitor Center at Schulman Grove, there was only one other car. One! The Visitor Center was closed for the season-opening planned for the weekend. As we were getting our things out of the car, a guy came out of the hiking trail with his tripod and camera and we talked about the incoming weather. Hmmm.....he was a little worried too.

we have arrived

a winter wonderland

gorgeous

As we started up the Discovery Trail, we were the only ones here, which made it even more magical. Imagine walking among the oldest trees on earth, snow-covered....just you and these trees. It was amazing. So quiet too. The trail was not too bad, snow-wise, and we continued up the hill to really explore some of these trees. The trail had signs along the way, and I think they came out pretty clearly in the pictures. A good way to learn!

the start of the trail (only one other guy was here, and he was leaving...we had the place to ourselves)

ready?

a beautiful and serene place for sure

Of course, the trail goes steeply up, with switchback too, but we took our time since we were at such high altitude (10,000+ feet). The trees and trunks were incredible to see, and the snow gave us an even more magical experience. Either that, or because we were alone in this beautiful, surreal place. Check out some of the trees we saw:

a Bristlecone beauty

striking

so many bristlecones here

3200 years old!

close up - try to count the rings!

another beauty

so cool

so tall...wonder how old?

an intriguing forest

we are the only ones here! just us and the bristlecones!

and this little guy

a special magical visit with the snow!

bet this trail is a lot different in the summer

awesome

learning as we walk the trail

another beauty

we were seriously getting worried about the dark clouds and getting down the mountain without driving in snow

how gorgeous is that?

can't you just see this as a "character" in an animated children's movie

what a special place this is (especially with no one else here!)

another "character"?

beautiful

checking the trail on the phone....time to turn around?

walking among the ancients

amazingly beautiful

the trail is getting snowier and the sky is getting darker

let's go back

Once we were just about at the top of the hill (the halfway point of the trail?), we decided not to be greedy and call it a day and get off the mountain before we had weather woes. We were a little disappointed to be cutting our visit short, but we were very happy with our experience and didn't want to be irresponsible. The views of the trees were fantastic and something I will never forget.

so many bristlecones

heading back down

what an experience

As we came to the end of the trail, we noticed another car in the parking lot. Then, as the trail turned, we saw an older woman in sandals and linen pants starting to walk slowly up the trail. WOW! It was about 35 degrees and snow-covered in spots. We always find it amazing how people come so unprepared for the experience and continue anyway. There is no one to help you if you get in a pickle....just sayin'. If you wipe out in the snow in your sandals and hurt yourself, it could be a long time before the next person comes along. Her friend was still getting out of the car, and she was an older woman too, not really dressed for the weather either. They had a little sports car, but didn't seem to be concerned at all about the incoming weather and the road conditions.

a very quick picnic lunch (of delicious protein bars) .... but the picnic tables are snow covered

energizing for the possibly harrowing ride back down the mountain

two marmots chasing each other all over the fields

what an experience here...with the snow on the awesome bristlecone pines

fingers crossed the skies don't open up with whiteout snow squalls on these "edge of the mountain" roads

we may beat the weather!

the views ahead are incredible

the road twists and turns for miles

oh hey!

We both felt a sense of relief when we made it down the mountain. We don't really like to take chances with stuff like that! Anyway, what an experience that was!!

The views once we got close to the valley, at about 5000 feet, were magnificent. Like a painting. The weather was totally different too...about 30 degrees warmer. No kidding!