BRISTLECONE PINES (Bryce Canyon) (05/2011)

Bristlecone Pines are among the oldest living organisms on Earth and are only found in six states, including Utah. The oldest living tree is called "Methuselah" and is 4,765 years old; nearly 1,000 years older than any other bristlecone alive today.


These trees mostly grow at an elevation of 10,000 feet and usually on the sides of cliffs - it is unusual to see them at low elevations.  I was lucky enough to see several Bristlecones today; some at Bryce Canyon National Park and some at Red Canyon.

(Click on photos to enlarge.)

This very healthy Bristlecone was growing at the visitors' center at Red Canyon, Utah - not on the side of a cliff and not at 10,000 feet.  It was beautiful.