Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, White Mountains, California

The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is home to the oldest trees in the world.

We tried to visit the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in May but with the winter snowfall we found the Sierra View Gate closed to vehicles.  This is a popular area for cross country skiers and snow shoers.

Schulman Grove

   Bristlecone seedlings - 2  years of age

3 to 6 years of age

Beyond Schulman Grove and visitors center lies the Patriarch Grove, 12-miles north on a dirt road.

Patriarch Grove is home to the world's largest Bristlecone Pine, the Patriarch Tree. Its splendid remoteness and moonscape appearance gives the Patriarch Grove a surreal atmosphere. Bristlecone pines and limber pines dot the landscape with a background view of the Great Basin in Nevada.

I am confused. Is it 3 or 3 1/2 miles to go?

Snow once again stops us from being able to drive into the grove.