Day hike past 4,000-year-old trees in ancient bristlecone forest

The new Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center
at Inyo National Forest. Photo courtesy U.S. Forest Service. 

Loop trail heads above
10,000 feet elevation

Families can day hike through a grove of some of the planet’s oldest trees on the Discovery Trail at Inyo National Forest in California.

Most of the 1-mile loop trail runs above 9,900 feet elevation, high up in the White Mountains. It’s located southeast of Yosemite National Park.

Due to snowfall at the high elevation, the trail generally is closed from mid-May to mid-November. June through August marks the most hospitable time to visit, but it’s also the busiest. In addition, the area is only open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

To reach the trail, from Big Pine, Calif., take Calif. Hwy. 168 northeast into the national forest. In about 13 miles, turn left/northwest onto White Mountain Road. After another 10 miles, go right/east to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center and park in the lot.

Aged trees
The trail begins on the lot’s northcentral side, at about 9860 feet above sea level. Interpretive signs and benches can be found along the trail.

The first half of the trail is in the open with only scattered bristlecone trees and climbs to almost 10,160 feet in elevation.

This section is the lower- to mid-range elevations for the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine. Despite its preference for xeric alpine conditions, these gnarled, stunted trees are extremely long-lived.

One tree in the grove (It’s on another trail.) is believed to be more than 5,060 years old, making it the oldest known living non-clonal organism on Earth. The identity of the tree is kept secret, though, or we’d have you walk that trail! Even dead bristlecone pines are persistent with some as old as 7,000 years still erect next to living ones.

Born circa 2000 B.C.
Most of the trees along this trail are about 4,000 years old. With reddish-brown bark and dark green needles, they stand out well against the white, rocky ground and blue skies. The needles may not look much different than those of any other conifer, but those on the bristlecone pine can stay green for up to 45 years.

The last half of the trail descends as heading through the Schulman Grove and ends at the visitor center. The recently built center definitely is worth a stop for its various interpretive programs.

Given the trail’s high elevation, altitude sickness is a distinct possibility. You’ll want to be aware of how to avoid and treat for the ailment before hiking the trail. Also, always wear sunscreen at high elevations.

Find out about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Avoid losing your breath at high altitudes

When hiking at high altitudes – usually above 5,000 feet – losing your breath is easy, especially when exerting yourself with a child carrier or pack on your back. But you can keep from losing your breath in the thin air by using the simple technique of pressure breathing.

When taking a step, draw in a lungful of air. Then purse your lips and blow out the air through this small opening as taking your next step. The result is increased pressure in your lungs, which means more oxygen will be transferred to your blood.

Indeed, losing your breath is all about lack of oxygen in your bloodstream. In the thinner air, not as much oxygen is entering your body, so your body’s cells begin to starve. The body’s solution is to seek more oxygen by making you breathe harder.

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

How to avoid, treat altitude sickness in kids

Since air pressure is lower at higher elevations, you will inhale less oxygen in mountainous areas. For most hikers, the problem begins when reaching 8,000 feet above sea level, in which acute mountain sickness can affect both child and adult. More serious and deadlier problems can occur at higher than 12,000 feet, and parents shouldn’t take their children above that level.

Fortunately, few points in North America are that high, so you’ll rarely encounter this issue, unless you’re trying to peakbag the United States’ or Canada’s highest mountains. Children will suffer from altitude sickness more readily than adults. As their bodies are still developing, they simply don’t have the ability to adjust as quickly to changes in oxygen levels as do adults.

To avoid altitude sickness, go at a slow pace that allows time for acclimatization. Limit altitude changes to no more than 2000-3000 feet so long as you’re returning to your starting point.

Signs of altitude sickness include shortness of breath, dehydration, headache, nausea and dizziness. If the child becomes confused, clumsy, vomits and has a dry cough, the condition is serious. Treating altitude sickness requires descending to a lower elevation where there’s more oxygen. In addition, drink extra water to avoid dehydration, and eat light, high-carbohydrate meals. If the condition is serious, get medical attention immediately.

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.