Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

 

White Mountains

Inyo National Forest

Inyo County

August 11, 2005

View of the eastern Sierra from Schulman Grove Bristlecone Pine Forest 2005 © Alison Sheehey

I am on a quest to discover, identify and photograph all of the conifers of California. Part of my quest led me to the oldest living tree on earth. Estimated at almost 5000 years old, the most ancient of bristlecones are considered one of the oldest continuously living plants on earth. But watch out, they are surpassed in age by the 11 to 12 thousand year old creosote bushes in the nearby Mojave Desert. Amazingly many of the oldest living things on earth occupy a very small niche in central and eastern California. I share some of my favorite photos here.

All photos copyright Alison Sheehey. These photographs are not in the public domain, therefore no rights to reproduce are implied or granted. All rights reserved. 

Bristlecone Pine 2005 © Alison Sheehey
Bristlecone Pine snag 2005 © Alison SheeheyLimber Pine snags Bristlecone Pine Forest 2005 © Alison Sheehey
Patriarch Grove alpine zone Bristlecone Pine Forest 2005 © Alison Sheehey
Pika in talus at the Bristlecone Pine Forest 2005 © Alison Sheehey

LINKS TO OTHER BRISTLECONE PINE WEB SITES

Inyo National Forest - Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/about/index.shtml

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest - Leonard Miller's site: http://www.sonic.net/bristlecone/intro.html

Golden Gate Photo - Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Gallery: http://www.goldengatephoto.com/westus/bristlecone.html 

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