Big Pine is a good launching town for
several attractions. The ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest can be reached
from town by taking the 168 (Westgard Pass Road) to the
White Mountain
Road which leads to Schulman grove. The trees are at an elevation of
10,000+ feet and it can be quite cold here even in the summer months. Be
very careful coming down the Westgard pass on the western side. The road
is quite steep and narrow and I smelled over heated brakes from not only
my own car but from other vehicles as well. The total distance from
Bishop to the forest is a little over 20 miles (13 miles on the 168, and
11 miles on White Mountain Road).
These trees are often debated among scientists as being the oldest
living species on earth. Some that are still living are more then 4000
years old. These dates are determined by counting tree rings on
cylindrical cores that are extracted from the trunks of these trees. The
dead trees do not disintegrate very rapidly at that high elevation so
researchers have been able to date the wood back to over 10000 years.
These trees are fascinating. From afar they look like they are dead.
Then upon closer inspection you will see that there is a thin strip of
bark that winds its way up the trunk. It is just this thin strip that
keeps some of the trees living. It is amazing to me that these trees are
even able to grow here at all. They are approaching tree line, and the
wind and elements are fierce. Most of the trees have a wind flagged
look. For example one side will be bare of foliage (the side that the
wind blows from) and the other side will have several branches.
There are two self guiding trails available. The Methuselah Trail is
about 4 miles long and does not involve much climbing. During this walk
you will see "Methuselah" what is perhaps the oldest living specie in
existence today. It has been dated to be over 4600 years old. If you
continued driving up White Mountain Road (dirt) you will come to another
grove of Bristlecone Pines. This grove, called the Patriarch Grove
contains the largest Bristlecone Pine in existence. It is over 30 feet
in circumference. There are no services such as gas, water, or phones in
either of the two groves. Come prepared. The forest is open daily from
early June through late October. Admission is FREE. For more information
call PHONE NUMBER (760) 873-2500, or visit
Dave's
Bristle Cone Pine Info article found in the
Bishop article
From the flashing street signal in downtown Big Pine turn west on
Crocker Road and drive 12 miles to its end. At the end of this road you
will find exceptional day hiking and overnight hikes. As you leave Big
Pine you will notice that the road climbs a 20 feet cliff like
geological structure called a scarp. This was left by a massive
earthquake which occurred in 1872.
Dayhike parking is available at the end of Crocker Road. You will see
summer cabins along Big Pine Creek. Walk past these and follow the signs
which lead to some switchbacks along First Falls. If you hike 3 miles
from the beginning of the trail you will come to Cienega Mirth. This is
a beautiful meadow in the summer. There are many wildflowers and grasses
growing here. Relax by a small creek. There is a large stone house here,
which was built for the actor Lon Chaney in 1925. It is now used by the
Forest Service.
Another two strenuous mile will begin to take you to the high glaciated
country. Several lakes up here contain the glacial flour, a silt so fine
that it refuses to settle out in the lakes and rivers. This gives the
lakes and rivers that beautiful aquamarine color that is so prevalent in
the lakes and rivers of northern Montana and the glacier parks in
British Columbia, and Alberta in western Canada. The Palisades can be
seen as you start to get into the higher country. The Palisades are a
serious of jagged peaks that rise dramatically behind the other smaller
peaks. Some of the Palisades rise above 14,000 feet.
The Tinemaha Wildlife Viewing area is located 9 miles south of Big Pine
on the 395. There will be a dirt road leading east off of the 395. Take
this one as it will be marked. This area is a good place to spot huge tule elk, flocks of water birds, or hawks and eagles. For more
information call PHONE NUMBER (760) 872-1171.
Klondike Lake is a shallow lake, mostly used for wind sports in the
summer time. It is located three miles north of Big Pine. Look for the
marked dirt road. For more information call PHONE NUMBER (760) 872-1104.
The Big Pine Gem and Mineral Show is held in mid to late may every year.
Rock hounds abound! PHONE NUMBER (760) 938-2114.
