For THAT'S MY WORLD -- Our visit to Great Basin National Park was part of our world during our just-completed summer roadtrip... and is still part of it as memories (almost the best thing about travel) remain!
Bristlecone pines are an icon in this cold high-desert area. We learned at the Visitor Center that the trees grow at altitudes between 9,500 and 11,000 feet. The information says that they endure bitter cold and winds that twist and mold their shapes and still they live up to 3,000 years. They grow slowly, a branch at a time and the oldest ones grow near the treeline, where survival is most difficult. In lower, less extreme altitudes the trees die at younger ages, at only 300 or 400 years.
We camped in this park many years ago before it actually became a National Park. (It was named one in 1986). But I don't really remember the bristlecones. Probably their survival story means more the older one gets!
(More about Great Basin tomorrow).
Wow - what great pines... imagine living in those harsh conditions though!
Posted by: Lady Fi | July 12, 2011 at 08:53 AM
I always love seeing snow covered mountain tops cascading down into more and more green
don't see that much around here unless you go north in early spring and hope you make it before the thaw
beautiful shots :)
thanks you for your lovely comment on my last post
you are one of those commentors we all admire
I like the little community my blog draws :)
Posted by: dianne | July 08, 2011 at 11:42 AM
Fabulous photos. The first one looks like a painting. It would look great enlarged and framed.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Posted by: Kay Davies | July 05, 2011 at 08:16 PM
What wonderful odd shapes the bristlecones fashion into...ITS a beautiful area for sure!!
Posted by: Sondra | July 05, 2011 at 05:36 PM
Great shots of a beautiful location. I'm always amazed when I hike at high altitudes here about how much life there is, and wonder how things can survive the bitter winters.
Posted by: Al | July 05, 2011 at 03:58 PM
I love your comment about the bristlecones! Wonderful photos. This sounds like a place we should visit.
Posted by: Clair Z. | July 05, 2011 at 03:03 PM
I LOVE that first photo! Think of all the years it took to shape that tree! I've never heard of this park. I'll have to look it up!
Posted by: Pat | July 05, 2011 at 09:31 AM
Wonderful trees!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | July 05, 2011 at 05:05 AM
Yes, that first picture is like a masterpiece. Love it.
Rosie
Posted by: Rosie@travel-i-tales | July 05, 2011 at 01:54 AM
More great photos and fascinating facts! I hope the weather is still being kind, Sallie!
Posted by: Hazel | July 05, 2011 at 12:20 AM
We just discovered Great Basin year before last. I don't know how we missed it all those years of travel. It gave us that old-time national park feeling. There was more concentration on nature and not lots of crowds.
Posted by: Margot | July 04, 2011 at 09:51 PM
Wonderful shots of national park and nice history about it.
Posted by: Rajesh | July 04, 2011 at 05:33 PM
wow! what neat trees full of fight and history!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | July 04, 2011 at 04:54 PM
I am awed by Bristlecone Pines. I try to visit a grove of them near me every summer. They whisper ancient secrets if you listen closely.
Posted by: Barb | July 04, 2011 at 04:24 PM
Wonderful photos of that beautiful nature. The first really looked like a painting and I love the mountains!
Posted by: fjällripan | July 04, 2011 at 03:27 PM
Gorgeous place and your first capture is awesome!! Thanks for sharing the beauty, Sallie! Always a delight! Hope your holiday weekend is going well! Enjoy!
Sylvia
Posted by: Sylvia Kirkwood | July 04, 2011 at 03:14 PM
Saliie, it is a gorgeous park. I love the snow covered mountains. Thanks for sharing, have a great week!
Posted by: Eileen | July 04, 2011 at 03:12 PM
What a unique image.Did you give the top one any treatment? It reminds me of an Impressionist painting.
Posted by: joco | July 04, 2011 at 03:11 PM
We camped there about three years ago on Labor Day. I remember it was cold and windy when we walked among the bristle cones. It is certainly a long way from anywhere but I was glad we made a point of going there.
Posted by: Martha Z | July 04, 2011 at 03:03 PM
Imagine living for thousands of years all bitter and twisted like that!
Posted by: Lesley | July 04, 2011 at 02:59 PM