The Ancient Forest
These bristlecone pines are just fascinating trees. They are the oldest living things on the planet. Some living up to 3000-5000 years old. It's often hard to tell if one is alive or dead, as it may just have one branch that still has a few pine needles on it, and dead ones can remain standing for many hundreds of years.
This was from last summer in one of America's least known, least visited national parks. Great Basin National Park, in Nevada. These trees only live in just about the harshest environment imaginable. They grow out of pure rock at en elevation 0f 8000-11,000 feet. This bristlecone grove was over 10,000 feet in elevation, which made hiking (and breathing) very challenging.
The Ancient Forest
These bristlecone pines are just fascinating trees. They are the oldest living things on the planet. Some living up to 3000-5000 years old. It's often hard to tell if one is alive or dead, as it may just have one branch that still has a few pine needles on it, and dead ones can remain standing for many hundreds of years.
This was from last summer in one of America's least known, least visited national parks. Great Basin National Park, in Nevada. These trees only live in just about the harshest environment imaginable. They grow out of pure rock at en elevation 0f 8000-11,000 feet. This bristlecone grove was over 10,000 feet in elevation, which made hiking (and breathing) very challenging.