Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest |
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The Methuselah Grove trail in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
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 Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
Location in California
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| Location | White Mountains, Inyo County, California, United States |
| Area | 43.75 sq mi (113.3 km2) |
| Max. elevation | 3,410 m (11,190 ft) |
| Min. elevation | 3,000 m (9,800 ft) |
| Administrator | United States Forest Service |
The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is a very special nature preserve. It is located high up in the White Mountains in Inyo County, eastern California. This amazing forest is home to some of the oldest living things on Earth!
Contents
Where is the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest?
This unique forest sits east of the Owens Valley. It is high on the eastern side of the White Mountains. The forest is part of a watershed, which is an area of land where all the water drains into one place. It is also where the Mojave Desert meets the Great Basin region.
The mountain habitat here is part of the Central Basin and Range area. It is also known as the Great Basin montane forests. One special spot, the Patriarch Grove, is where Cottonwood Creek begins. This creek is a designated Wild and Scenic River.
Amazing Bristlecone Pine Trees
The Great Basin bristlecone pine trees grow in this forest. They live at very high elevations, between 9,800 and 11,000 feet (3,000–3,400 meters) above sea level. These trees thrive in dry, high-mountain conditions. They are protected within the Inyo National Forest. You can also find Limber pine trees growing here.
Meet Methuselah, the Oldest Tree!
The Methuselah Grove is a famous part of the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. It is home to a tree called "Methuselah". This Great Basin bristlecone pine is an incredible 4,857 years old! It is known as the world's oldest confirmed living individual tree.
For a short time, another bristlecone pine discovered in 2010 was thought to be older. However, in May 2017, that tree's record was removed. So, Methuselah remains the oldest known. To keep it safe from people who might harm it, Methuselah is not marked in the forest.
Visiting the Forest
The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is usually open from mid-May until the end of November. This depends on the weather conditions. It's a great place to explore and learn about nature.
- Schulman Grove and Schulman Grove Visitor Center – Here you can find daily talks about nature and history. These talks happen from mid-June through Labor Day. There are also many hiking trails to enjoy.
- Patriarch Grove – This grove is home to the Patriarch Tree, which is the world's largest bristlecone pine. You can also follow a self-guided nature trail here.
Exploring the Methuselah Grove Trail
The Methuselah Grove trail starts at the visitor center, which is at 9,846 feet (3,001 meters) high. It is a 4.5-mile (7.2-kilometer) loop trail. This trail takes you through the Methuselah Grove, where the oldest tree lives. You will also see amazing views eastward over Nevada's basin-and-range region. There are side trails that lead to old mining sites. A booklet explains the numbered markers along the trail.
A Fire at the Visitor Center
On September 4, 2008, someone purposely set fire to the Schulman Grove Visitor Center. Several bristlecone pines were also damaged. The building and all its exhibits were destroyed. Efforts to rebuild the center began right away. The new visitor center is now complete and open to visitors.
