Today we drove to the "end of the line" at
Bryce Canyon National Park, to Rainbow Point. There we hiked a one-mile trail out to the point where we saw
bristlecone pines. Most of the larger trees were dead, but there were plenty of youngsters coming along. It was such a privilege to see these trees, since they only grow in certain soils at certain elevations. This hike was on a gentle trail and it was not long, but this lowlander woman had a real struggle with altitude sickness. Felt faint frequently and had to sit down once. Sheesh! Thought I was accustomed to the elevation after being over 6000 ft. for the last several weeks! Seeing these trees was worth every step, though....
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| All set for a hike. |
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| Pretty sulphur butterfly hitched a ride on me for a ways. |
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| Partway along the trail. |
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| Looking south from the point. |
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| Looking north from the point. |
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| Bristlecone pine. |
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| Old dead bristlecone pine. |
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One of the ways you identify a bristlecone pine is that the branches are totally
covered with needles and bushy like a fox tail. |
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| Hard to see, but each needle consisted of about 4 or 5 layers. |
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| Happy hikers! |
You look like tired, hot hikers! :- )
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