Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest -

Inyo National Forest

This forest is a protected area high in the White Mountains in Inyo County in eastern California. The Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) trees grow between 9,800 and 11,000 feet above sea level, in xeric alpine conditions, protected within the Inyo National Forest. The Methuselah Grove in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is the location of the "Methuselah", a Great Basin Bristlecone Pine that is 4,847 years old. For many years, it was the world's oldest known living non-clonal organism, until superseded by the discovery in 2013 of another bristlecone pine in the same area with an age of 5,065 years (germination in 3051 BC). "Methuselah" is not marked in the forest, to ensure added protection from vandals. These trees are all very individualistic, and many are fascinating and beautiful.