Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Bristlecone Pines

It's well worth the effort. The road is paved to the Shulman Grove. Read the plaques around the parking area, and then take a walk for an hour or two along one of the many paths to better understand the life of those pines. If you want more, you can drive further to the Patriarch Grove. This part of the road is unpaved, and has sharp rocks, so keep that in mind.

Don't know quite when the Shulman Grove will be open, as it's rather high and gated several miles earlier, but the Inyo NF could tell you. Because this is a rather remote area, we always plan a full day for the trip, and we live much closer than you do.

Bristlecone pines are found elsewhere as well, but not in the concentration as found there. If you hike Telescope, you'll pass a few near the summit stretch. They bear a close resemblance to another pine - Limber, IIRC.