Great Basin National Park in Nevada offers some nice high-altitude hikes. Bristlecone pines live at high elevations where few other trees survive.
The bristlecone pine trail and the alpine loop trail (my previous post) start at the end of the Wheeler Peak scenic drive. The parking lot and road were closed when we did the hike. That meant another 3/4 mile or so each way to the pines.
Be aware you are at 10,000+ feet elevation. If you are not used to this altitude, hiking may be more than a bit of a struggle.
One very irritating thing about the Bristlecone Trail is the park service put up enormous signs in front of all the biggest trees ruining everything from a photographer’s perspective. I edited out a sign in the above image, but many times it’s nearly impossible.
Feature Image Details
- EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera
- Canon 24-105MM F4 L Lens at 45 MM
- F16 ISO 800 for 1/180 second
There was some breeze and light rain at times. I used a higher ISO to stop any movement in the trees.
Bristlecone pines live up to 5,000 years. Trees that old, generally only have a small portion of the tree alive.
Here is a closeup of one such section.
Hiking Buddies
I went on this trip with Fred and Sue Birnbaum at the Explorumentary Blog. We first hiked to the bristlecone pine area then to Stella Lake and barely made it to Stella Lake for sunset.
Great Basin Loop Trail
Hike to the bristlecone pine area,. Then instead of hiking back to the paring lot, take the signed turnoff to Teresa Lake. There is almost nothing left to Teresa lake, but the trail continues to the much more impressive Stella Lake.
This loop saves a lot of elevation gain and distance as well if your intent is to hike to both spots on the same day.
For discussion of Stella Lake, please see my previous post Great Basin National Park – Stella Lake Sunset.
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Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Inspiring. The last one reminded me of the classic depression picture of the farmer and his wife standing together in front of their house.
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Thanks – Will look