Ancient Bristlecone Pines

Almost 5,000-years old and still living

California has many superlatives including highest, lowest, deepest, biggest, tallest, largest, hottest, and more; all of which have been scientifically measured and verified. Many of these -ests are in the Eastern Sierra and one of most fascinating of them all is the oldest.

The Great Basin Bristlecone Pines are not just the oldest things in California or even North America, they are the oldest living non-clonal organisms on the planet!

They are gnarled, weather-beaten, and resilient. The oldest tree, named Methuselah, has a verified age almost 5,000-years old and began life at about the same time humans began to develop the concept of writing. It was almost 500-years old when the pyramids at Giza were being built. This tree would have been about 3,000-years old when the English language began to evolve.

Many of the individual trees that live in this forest are over 4,000-years old. The older ones are at least 1,000-years older than any other species on earth. They are almost 2,000-years older than the nearby Giant Sequoia, which are the world’s biggest trees; and more than 2000-years older than the nearby Giant Redwoods, which are the world’s tallest trees. No other non-clonal species has living individuals that come close to the longevity of the Ancient Bristlecone Pines.

This healthy and growing forest is located high in the White Mountains above Bishop. They thrive at between 9,000- and 11,000-feet elevation. Visitors say they feel a sense of awe and peace when they walk the trails that weave through the groves of old and young bristlecones. The views out across the Owens Valley to the west and the Great Basin of Nevada to the east offer a perspective that cannot be seen anywhere else.

Come and see these ancient beings and let your imagination wonder about the passage of time and ponder the history of humankind through which these trees have lived.

Things to Do

Auto Touring

Take a beautiful, quiet, long and winding drive up to the Schulman Grove Visitor Center. From Bishop drive south on US Highway 395 for 15-miles and turn left onto State Route 168 East. Follow the road for 13-miles then turn left onto White Mountain Rd. Ten-miles further you’ll arrive at the Schulman Grove Visitor Center. Along the way stop at Sierra View Overlook; see one of the most spectacular views of the backbone of the Sierra Nevada Range and the Owens Valley from this viewpoint.

Cycling

Cycling up to the visitor center is a popular road bike ride for experienced cyclists. It’s commonly ranked as one of the top 5 most difficult climbs in California. It’s also widely regarded as a very beautiful, quiet, and safe ride. Traffic is light and the road surface is very good. Look at our Road Biking page for details on this and many other great Eastern Sierra road rides.

Hiking

Trails that weave through the forest take visitors on a journey of discovery. The views out across the Owens Valley to the west and the Great Basin of Nevada to the east offer a perspective that cannot be seen anywhere else. Look at our Day Hikes page here for details on the trails along White Mountain Rd., and through the Schulman Grove of ancient bristlecones.

Camping

Camping nearby in Grandview campground is an excellent way to spend a few days during the warmer, summer months. There are 23 campsites, available on a first-come-first-served basis, spaced well apart with plenty of shade. Each campsite has a table, fire ring, and space for two vehicles. Three vault toilets serve the campground. Please review all the rules and regulations and pack out everything you pack in.

Stargazing

The night sky is spectacular from the high elevations of the White Mountains. The Milky Way is visible all year in the Eastern Sierra, and the brightest portion of this ribbon of stars arcs almost directly overhead in mid-summer. Summer months offer warm, dry nights that make this a perfect time for teaching kids about the cosmos. Stargazing is a stellar experience from Grandview Campground and a late evening at Schulman Grove is a rare setting for an astronomical experience. *Schulman Grove is open from 6am-10pm.