Skip to main content

Methuselah

“My husband . . . Some people are tree huggers, mine is a tree sniffer.”

“Try it. Right here,” as I touched the smooth bare russet wood of the ancient Bristlecone Pine. “This smells like Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey Whiskey, it’s like no other tree I’ve ever smelled. It’s an aromatic blend of pine, sweet honey, and wood.” I said to Lori as we hiked the four mile Methuselah Walk of the ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.

Lori laughed, “I doubt Jack Daniel's would advertise their Whisky with the slogan,” Try our special blend, smells like a Bristlecone Pine.

The Bristlecone Pine (species Pinus longaeva) is the longest-lived life form on Earth. According to our trail brochure, in 1957 Dr. Edward Schulman, searching for climate records in tree rings, increment bored a tree from this same grove. Upon counting the rings under a microscope back at camp, he nearly shouted at his colleague, “we’ve got a 4,000-plus tree.” It was later dated to be over 4,600 years old. Schulman named this tree Methuselah.

It was our third day hiking the Eastern Sierras. Our 27th anniversary. This year we decided to explore the Sierras with Bishop, CA as our home base.

To experience these ancient treasures, make your way to Big Pine, CA. on route 395. Turn onto route 168. Then wind your way slowly up-down, with hairpin switchbacks, and spectacular views from 3,980 feet to over 10,000 to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Visitors Center. When you read the map that says plan on at least a one hour drive once you leave 395 at Big Pine don’t doubt it, it’s slow going.


Plan ahead. The intrepid hiker will outfit themselves with a day-pack, layered clothing, gloves, a hat, hiking poles, water, and some snacks. When we arrived, in late October, the temperature was a chilly 36 degrees. Not including the wind chill.

Believe me when I say it’s worth the entire day to meet Methuselah. It’s a photographers paradise. The trail begins at the visitor center. The hike is a four mile loop trail. The travel time they post is 2-3 hours, it took us over four. The elevation change is between 800 - 1,000 feet. Not just once but two to three times. Be prepared to climb.

Sorry Motor Home Window Gawking Enthusiasts this is not a roadside tourist attraction.


The trail is very well maintained. Don’t slip, or drop your camera. Most of the hike you’re walking along a ridge with drops of 500-1,000 feet. However, once you reach identification post 16, (about two miles in) described in the brochure, you’ve surround yourself with hundreds, if not thousands of Ancient Bristlecone Pines. Oh, by the way, Methuselah is not identified. It is unmarked for its protection. Finding the oldest tree really didn't matter any more - they are all unique and spectacular.

So, photographers, hikers, and trail enthusiasts don't miss this unique opportunity to breath in (sniff) the fresh clean mountain air of the Ancient Bristlecone Pines.

A quote from John Muir provides the perfect ending, "Nature is always lovely, invincible, glad, whatever is done and suffered by her creatures. All scars she heals, whether in rocks, trees, water, sky, or hearts."

(I added the word trees. Seemed to fit.)

Comments

Most Popular of All Time

Everything I Need to Know About Christmas

In this episode, Everything I Need to Know About Christmas–I Learned From a Little Golden Book. We are thrilled to present this year's (2024) annual Christmas episode for kids! The story has it: back in 2020, when we first launched On the Fly , one of Santa's helpers whispered a fantastic idea into our ear on Thanksgiving Day. “Wouldn’t it be fun to share children's books by sending an audio file to your nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends so they can enjoy the story with their little ones?” So we did, and here’s the list of books and stories organized chronologically. Feel free to click the links and listen again, or maybe for the first time. Twas the Night Before Christmas Christmas Eve-Day How the Grinch Stole Christmas Frosty the Snowman The Story of Rudolph The 1939–Original Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Tracking Santa Santa’s Toy Shop My listening friends, choosing the right story has always been challenging, but the journey has been rewarding. It's our wish t...

Gobble, Gobble, Let’s All Trot

Oh, a Turkey Trot, a funny sight, A morning stroll, a pure delight. Six forty-five is the time to start, So let’s all run (walk) with all our hearts. While others Turkey hunt today a foolish plight, We’ll run and jog with pure delight. No need for guns, no need for gear, Just happy feet and holiday cheer. New York City is a bustling place, A different trot, a different pace. With Macy’s Parade, a colorful sight, The city’s bright a morning light. But here in Vista, we’ll run our own, A festive race, a joyful tone. So lace up shoes, and let’s all go, To run and walk, row by row. A Turkey Trot, a thankful sight, A perfect way to welcome daylight. Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a fantastic day filled with joy and togetherness! I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening, see you in the next episode.

Unexpected Encounter

In this episode, Unexpected Encounter . . . Life presents peculiar twists that make us ponder the universe’s mysteries. Last week, I found an unexpected book :  Another Lousy Day in Paradise ,  A 1996 fly fishing journal by the inspiring humorist and author John Gierach.  It may seem strange for a random book selection to inspire such reflection but stay with me. I’ve always been a bookworm, often buying more than I can read—ask my wife. This book had been gathering dust on my shelf for over 28 years. As I delved into Gierach’s witty and insightful writing, I was captivated by his unique perspective on life, fly fishing, and the outdoors. In 1992, while living in Manhattan, I stumbled into a shop on 5th Avenue called The Urban Angler . I purchased my first fly rod, an Orvis eight-and-a-half foot, three-ounce, five-weight beauty! I remember thinking Dad would say, “Why the hell would you buy a fishing rod in New York City?” “Because I want to learn to Flyfish.” “In New Yo...

A Scent of Nostalgia

In this episode, A Scent of Nostalgia: Old Spice . . .   Empty! Here’s an odd question: Is there a particular scent that instantly transports you back to childhood? For me, it's the unmistakable aroma of Old Spice Aftershave . It was my dad's go-to, or perhaps the only affordable option at Kroger when Mom did the grocery shopping. T his got me thinking; I wonder when Dad started using Old Spice? I distinctly recall the opaque white glass bottle from the 1960s on his shaving shelf. The front featured a sailing ship illustration;  the   " Old Spice "   branding was in red script below it . The bottle's tapered shape narrowed toward the top, culminating in a small aperture secured with a gray stopper. Did you know that Old Spice has a fascinating history? It all started in 1937 when the Shulton Company, founded by William Lightfoot Schultz, introduced a unique fragrance. Interestingly, this original product was meant for women! Inspired by his mother's deligh...