Many of the Bristlecone Pines look like they are dead, but upon closer inspection, a few branches have green needles. Some of these trees are 3000 - 4000 years old and are quite gnarled. There are 2 trails that take visitors among the trees. We took the steep, but shorter, 1-mile trail (at 10,000 feet, it had us puffing at times!).
Some of the trees have interesting burls and swirls on their trunks.
Photographers love the gnarled wood of these ancient trees. The trees have developed their interesting character from centuries of harsh conditions.
