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.

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