More than 4,000 years ago, a young bristlecone pine seedling burst through the soil. Today, that sprout, known as the “Methuselah” tree, is still alive after 4,856 years, making it the oldest living organism on Earth. See it and other ancient bristlecone pines, many more than 2,000 years old, in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains an hour’s drive east of Bishop. It’s just one of many unique experiences you can have in this area where crowds are rare, trout fishing and bouldering are world class and locals are happy to see you.
Afterwards, stop at Mountain Rambler Brewery for dinner and a pint. It’s the beginning of the Eastern Sierra Ale Trail, which connects Bishop to Yosemite and has six stops that you can visit along…