Visiting the Ancients, Bristlecone pine forest

Bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva)

After leaving Greenville and the run with the bears adventure we took the eastern route south along 395 because my dad had expressed a desire to visit the ancient bristle cone pine forest. Since this was a great spot for some pictures I was enthusiastic about taking this route. We drove down towards Bishop where we spent the night, but on the way we made a couple of stops. First up we attempted to go to Bodie, but a huge fire in the area thwarted our attempt.

smoke on the horizon

So we continued on to Mono lake where we watched a storm heading our way

mono lake

and saw a couple deer

fawn

Incoming rain storm

So after stopping for the night it was up early in the morning to head up to the Bristlecone forest.

road up to the Bristlecone forest

After a brief stop at the visitor center I spotted a sign pointing to a trail to the Methusela tree so off I went. I probably should have read the trail description first. It was a 5 mile hike and at 11,000 feet that was quiet a hike! My Dad followed me and by the time we got back to the car we were both a little out of breath.

Dad at the top

bristlecone forest

After the mornings hike we stopped for lunch then it was on to Manzanar. I already wrote about this important site of a sad part of U.S history earlier but my Mom and Dad hadn’t been there so it was worth another visit.