Methuselah Loop Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Historical Significance · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The Methuselah Loop Trail, the trail with the oldest tree (4800 years) known to be living today. Maps are found at the beginning of the trail and detail points of interest along the way.

The White Mountains and the Bristlecone Pine Forest detailed here is a place of solitude in a remote, eastern Californian mountain range on the border of Nevada.

The visitor center at "Schulman Grove" is the destination for the Methuselah trail. The nearest town, Big Pine, is a 45-minute drive one-way from the parking for this trail.

The 4.2 miles of self guided trail is well maintained and well marked in warmer seasons. There is roughly an 800 foot elevation gain and loss. The trail begins high, at around 10,000 feet. The elevation might make it hard for some to hike fast.

Bring plenty of water, food, and sun protection. Summer temperatures remain cool largely because of the elevation but the sun is strong and the forest is not one with a big canopy, but is much more open, due to the lack of precipitation.

The Bristlecone Pine is the trail's main attraction due to its unique habitat, growth patterns and longevity.