Meet Methuselah

Yes, tonight is Halloween. You were expecting me in a costume as a 969-year-old man? Sorry, this Methuselah is much older.

It was day two hiking the Eastern Sierras. Our 27th year wedding anniversary getaway. We had decided to explore the Sierras with Bishop, CA. as our home base.

Examining our map, Lori mentioned, “Here’s something we should see. It's the four-mile Methuselah Walk of the ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest near Big Pine, CA.” So we were up early the next morning, raring to go. With directions in hand.

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 with elevation gains from 3,980 feet to over 10,000 feet to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Visitors Center.

Heed this warning - the map that says, plan on at least a one hour drive once you leave Route 395 at Big Pine don’t doubt it, it’s slow going.

My suggestion, 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 the temperature was a chilly 36 degrees.

The trail begins at the visitor center. The hike is a four-mile loop trail. Posted travel time is between 2-3 hours, it took us over four. The elevation change is 800 feet. Not just once but two to three times.

You will know when you meet a Bristlecone Pine. It’s unlike any tree you’ve ever seen or sniffed.

“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.”

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

Believe me when I say it’s worth the entire day to meet Methuselah. It’s a photographers paradise.

Be prepared to climb. The trail is very well maintained. Don’t slip, most of the time 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 trail brochure, you’ve surrounded yourself with hundreds, if not thousands of Ancient Bristlecone Pines.

The Bristlecone Pine is the longest-lived life form on Earth. According to our pamphlet, 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.

Oh, by the way, Methuselah is not identified on the map. It is unmarked for its protection. Finding the oldest tree really didn't matter anymore - they are all unique and spectacular.

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

So, photographers, hikers, and trail enthusiasts do miss this unique opportunity to breathe in (sniff) the fresh clean mountain air of the Ancient Bristlecone Pines.

Have a safe and happy Halloween.

This is Patrick Ball, thanks for listening, see you in the next episode.

Comments

Morning Coffee

In this episode, Morning Coffee . . . Now, I’m not saying everyone needs coffee. Some folks get by just fine on, I don’t know, sunlight and positive thinking. Me? I’m pretty sure I started drinking the stuff sometime around the Reagan administration. Reading John Gierach’s "Ode to Campfire Coffee" in Trout Bum (a book that should be required reading for anyone who sees sleeping on the ground as recreation) got me thinking about how we’ve managed to complicate something as fundamentally simple as boiling water and adding grounds. Taste, you say? Look, black coffee is an acquired taste, like tequila or cilantro. I just don’t get it. Gierach, bless his heart, mostly drinks his java streamside, probably while wearing wool socks and waders and contemplating the mysteries of the universe. As for me? My outdoor coffee experience is a bit different. Picture this: the High Sierra, where campfires are banned (to avoid agitating Smoky Bear), and I’m huddled over a Whisperlite , coax...

Golf Evolving

In this episode, TGL–Golf Evolving . . . Welcome back to On the Fly! This week, I want to share what Lori discovered on ESPN about professional golf: the NEW TGL league. You see, golf has evolved over the centuries. The game has always adapted from Scotland's windswept links to Augusta's manicured courses. But what if I told you that the most significant change in golf history isn't happening on a sprawling 18-hole masterpiece but inside a building? Inspired by Paul Harvey's "The Rest of the Story," we’re about to tee off! Good morning, Americans! Today, we're talking about golf—a sport as old as time yet as new as tomorrow. Who hasn’t heard of Tiger Woods, the golfing phenom? Also, if you’re a golf fan, you've probably heard of Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irish star. But have you heard of their brainchild? It's called TGL–turning the golf world on its ear. TGL stands for TMRW Golf League. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy founded TMRW Sports in partne...

Decoding the Cryptic

In this episode, Decoding the Cryptic . . . Welcome back to On the Fly ! This week, we're tackling something that's been driving me—and probably you— absolutely crazy : cryptic social media posts. You know the type: a jumble of acronyms, vague references, and absolutely no context. It's like trying to decipher ancient hieroglyphs, and honestly, it makes me want to throw my phone across the room. I'm referring to those posts (and emails) from friends and family that leave you scratching your head. "OMG, just had the worst day. IDK what I'm going to do. BRB." Okay, BRB, but . . . what happened? Did a rogue squirrel steal your lunch? Did your car break down? Are you suddenly moving to Tasmania? I'm genuinely concerned, but I have no clue what's going on! And this got me thinking: Is this a modern form of writer's block? Are people so afraid of being unable to tell a story clearly that they resort to these vague snippets? Or is it just a sign of o...

Starry, Starry Night

In this episode, Starry, Starry Night . . . Welcome back to On the Fly! This week, we're exploring the basics of astrophotography. Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what's really out there? I’ve discovered a way to explore distant galaxies–without a telescope–or leaving my backyard. Consider this: each night, when the skies are clear, a breathtaking display unfolds above us—a cosmic dance of light and color. When you step outside, you notice the moon and perhaps a few stars. However, you can open a gateway to the universe with a camera, some adjustments, and a tripod. Suddenly, faint whispers of light transform into vibrant galaxies, swirling nebulae, and star clusters that shimmer like diamonds scattered across black velvet. That fuzzy patch you thought was just a smudge becomes the Andromeda Galaxy, our closest galactic neighbor, an astonishing 2.5 million light-years away. You're capturing light that has traveled millions of years to reach your came...

On The Fly

Search This Blog