Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

The Methuselah Trail in Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest (part of Inyo National Forest) contains the oldest known trees in the entire world! This 4.5-mile hike (with a 900 ft. elevation gain) brings you through a grove of ancients. Even though the specific Methuselah Tree remains unmarked (to protect it from damage), you will have fun trying to guess which one of these magnificent trees might be the world's oldest, almost 5,000 years old.

Start your hike at the Schulman Grove Visitor Center. To get to this lovely interpretive center, run by the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association and the National Forest Service, exit Highway 395 near Big Pine and take 168 east toward Deep Springs. Near Westgard Pass, take White Moutain Rd. all the way until the pavement ends. The roads are all well marked. (More info here)

This is a fee area, so you will need to bring $3 per person or $6 per car. There are pit toilets at the center, but no water or food. Make sure you prepare by bringing whatever you need for the day: water, food, sunscreen, and hats.  The center (and the hike) are at 10,000 ft., so the sun is pretty intense.

I was expecting this hike to be spectacular because of the trees (and it was). What I wasn't anticipating was that it would also be spectacular for both its wildflowers and its stunning vistas of Owens Valley and the Eastern Sierras to the west, and Death Valley and the Great Basin to the east. This was my favorite part of the camping expedition with my husband.

I recommend that you stop and get the brochure for the nature hike while you walk the Methuselah Trail. It's a very well written nature guide, filled with educational information about the life cycle of these fantastic trees that thrive because of adversity not despite of it.