Early season overnight snow in Mammoth Lakes, CA
Mount Tom stands outside of the clouds.
Clouds cover the Sierra Crest above Round Valley.
CA168 climbs up into the White Mountains (l)
We are bundled up for our hike at the Schulman Grove.
Old twisted bristlecone snag
Ranger on the trail
We learned from him that the average tree age in the Schulman Grove is about 1700 years old, the oldest being about 4850 years old. Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Frank models an old bristlecone tree.
Frank walks past a pinnacle on the Methuselah Trail.
Bill and Stella climb up the dolomite outcropping.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
The oldest bristlecones don't have much competition.
Frank walks past an old bristlecone pine.
Bill and Stella examine a bristlecone snag.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
This small bird took an interest when I began to relieve myself beside the trail.
Perhaps it recognized the sound of liquid striking the ground.
Bill plays tour guide, reading from the trail brochure.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
An older bristlecone pine
Stella stands near an old bristlecone.
Twisted branches
Old bristlecone
Passing a wall of dolomite rock
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Old bristlecone pine
Twisted roots, branches, and Stella
Stella and a bristlecone
Old bristlecones against the sky
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Bristlecone snag
Bristlecone forest
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Two conversing branches
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Frank on the Methuselah Trail
Trees grow from pedestals of rock.
Group photo
(l to r): Bill, Stella, Frank
Bristlecone forest floor is remarkably clear of shrubs and debris.
Photo courtesy of Frank Paysen.
Clouds are building over the White Mountains.
Stella looks for a sunny patch in the cold wind.
Frank and Stella on the Methuselah Trail
Sierra Crest is barely visible through the clouds.
Clouds begin to close in from the north.
Sierra Crest and clouds from Sierra View (2)
Bishop lies below.
Mt. Tom is the large mountain above Bishop. Mt. Humphreys is the high peak in the distance.
Dramatic descent into Big Pine on CA168 (1)
Dramatic descent into Big Pine on CA168 (2)
Sierra Crest and clouds from CA168 near Big Pine, CA (1)
Clouds over Round Valley
