After checking into our room at Bryce Canyon National Park we drove to the end of highway 63 to Rainbow Point above the Pink Cliffs and walked the 1 mile (1.6 km) Bristlecone Loop trail.
Fir trees dominate the forest here thriving in heavy snow and extreme temperatures.
Out on the point, where soil becomes thin and exposure is more severe bristlecone pines survive.
Bristlecone pines are among the oldest living organisms on earth. The oldest living tree called “Methuselah” is 4,765 years old and lives in a secret location in the White Mountain range of eastern California.
Bristlecones often die one part at a time. When the roots become exposed they dry out and die as does the tree connected above while the remainder of the tree will continue to live.
The tree is also noteworthy because the needles stay on the limb for over 40 years, unlike most other pines, which shed their needles every few years. This is important, because the tree can go through periods when it does not grow at all.
Besides feeling humbled by these ancient trees, the vast millions of years old landscape made me feel very small.
This quote was posted at the overlook. Thoreau said it well.
As the eye-like galleries watched on paying no attention to time.
And the sun shone overhead.
What an amazing hiking loop, Gaelyn. Thanks for taking me along! I'm amazed at those old firs. Never heard of it before, so I learnt something today. The "eyes" in the cliffs are are brilliant capture. Well done. Blessings and hugs Jo
Jo has said everything that I was going to say……. Diane
Gaelyn, As you know, I revere these trees. To come upon them is to know you are in the presence of an ancient survivor. Your photos of this trip are spectacular in their depth and color.
Great shots of stunning scenery. We have those pines out here too, and it's amazing where they live, and how they can make it through extreme droughts.
This post is sheer poetry. Stunning visuals with the poetry of your writing and thoughts, Gaelyn. I didn't know about the bristlecone pine but my what grand, sweeping vistas and remarkable trees. Thoreau's quote was certainly right on target – you seem to have been channeling his essence through your post. Wow. What a privilege.
these pictures are uproarious, congratulations
It doesn't get much better than Bryce. Was there some years ago. Good bloggin'
Great photos, Gaelyn!
The bristlecone loop was one of our first hikes in Utah. I didn't take any photos, so I'm glad to see yours.
Didn't realize that the bristlecones keep their needles for so long. Interesting.
I agree he said it well. I love pine trees. I am not sure what it is about them which makes them special – maybe their wonderful smell.
Those trees sound something like our Baobab Gaelyn. It is nothing for them to be 3000-4000 years old.
We are very small and insignificant compared to these magnificent canyons and ancient trees. Looks like a very worthwhile place to visit.
You always have such interesting info to go along with your photographs.
Bryce Canyon is so beautiful. Oh, my, my list of places to go just keeps growing and growing!