Latest news with #WhiteMountains
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
This California forest has a tree that's nearly 5,000 years old. But its location is a closely guarded secret
High in the arid mountain forests of eastern California there is a living tree that's older than the pyramids of Giza and the ancient city-state of Babylon — but its location is a secret. The Methuselah tree, named after an especially long-living character in the Book of Genesis, is estimated to have started growing roughly 4,857 years ago in the White Mountains just north of Death Valley. That would put its germination date around 2,833 B.C., nearly 3,000 years before the foundation of the Roman Empire and older than all Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Scientists believe it is either the oldest or second-oldest living tree known to humanity — excepting clonal colonies, in which individual trees live and die as part of the same ancient collective organism. Even so, the Forest Service does not disclose the exact location of the Methuselah tree and has not marked it in any way, in order to protect it from vandalism. Methuselah is the oldest known tree in the Methuselah Grove, which stands at nearly 10,000 ft above sea level in what is now Inyo National Forest. It's a standout example of the Great Basin bristlecone pine, formally known as pinus longaeva. Because they are adapted to live in such harsh environments the trees are extraordinary resilient and resistant to infection. Through a process called 'strip barking', even a tiny sliver of the tree can remain alive after the rest expires, with thin strands of living matter twisting up through a dense shell of dead wood. But bristlecone pines aren't the only arboreal survivors on Earth. Some scientists believe there is a Patagonian cypress tree in the rainy mountains of Chile that is around 5,400 years old. Known as the Millennial Alerce, or sometimes Gran Abuelo (Spanish for 'grandfather'), the tree's age was estimated using a new statistical method that is not yet broadly accepted among researchers, rather than by the traditional way of counting rings of wood within the trunk. Clonal colonies — that is, groups of trees that have all sprouted off from the same ancient ancestor — can persist for many millennia, even as the individual trees live and die. One colony of quaking aspen in Utah, known as Pando, is thought to be between 9,000 and 16,000 years old, but is taking a beating from climate change. There is also one bristlecone in California's White Mountains that may be even older than Methuselah and more secret. Back in 2009, according to the tree age researcher Peter M. Brown, another researcher named Tom Harlan began studying old tree samples left to him by his predecessor. Harlan apparently found one sample he estimated to be 5,062 years old and told Brown the tree it came from was still alive. But the actual sample seems to be missing and if Harlan knew the tree's location he took it to his grave.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
This California forest has a tree that's nearly 5,000 years old. But its location is a closely guarded secret
High in the arid mountain forests of eastern California there is a living tree that's older than the pyramids of Giza and the ancient city-state of Babylon — but its location is a secret. The Methuselah tree, named after an especially long-living character in the Book of Genesis, is estimated to have started growing roughly 4,857 years ago in the White Mountains just north of Death Valley. That would put its germination date around 2,833 B.C., nearly 3,000 years before the foundation of the Roman Empire and older than all Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Scientists believe it is either the oldest or second-oldest living tree known to humanity — excepting clonal colonies, in which individual trees live and die as part of the same ancient collective organism. Even so, the Forest Service does not disclose the exact location of the Methuselah tree and has not marked it in any way, in order to protect it from vandalism. Methuselah is the oldest known tree in the Methuselah Grove, which stands at nearly 10,000 ft above sea level in what is now Inyo National Forest. It's a standout example of the Great Basin bristlecone pine, formally known as pinus longaeva. Because they are adapted to live in such harsh environments the trees are extraordinary resilient and resistant to infection. Through a process called 'strip barking', even a tiny sliver of the tree can remain alive after the rest expires, with thin strands of living matter twisting up through a dense shell of dead wood. But bristlecone pines aren't the only arboreal survivors on Earth. Some scientists believe there is a Patagonian cypress tree in the rainy mountains of Chile that is around 5,400 years old. Known as the Millennial Alerce, or sometimes Gran Abuelo (Spanish for 'grandfather'), the tree's age was estimated using a new statistical method that is not yet broadly accepted among researchers, rather than by the traditional way of counting rings of wood within the trunk. Clonal colonies — that is, groups of trees that have all sprouted off from the same ancient ancestor — can persist for many millennia, even as the individual trees live and die. One colony of quaking aspen in Utah, known as Pando, is thought to be between 9,000 and 16,000 years old, but is taking a beating from climate change. There is also one bristlecone in California's White Mountains that may be even older than Methuselah and more secret. Back in 2009, according to the tree age researcher Peter M. Brown, another researcher named Tom Harlan began studying old tree samples left to him by his predecessor. Harlan apparently found one sample he estimated to be 5,062 years old and told Brown the tree it came from was still alive. But the actual sample seems to be missing and if Harlan knew the tree's location he took it to his grave. Solve the daily Crossword
The Independent
2 days ago
- Science
- The Independent
This California forest has a tree that's nearly 5,000 years old. But its location is a closely guarded secret
High in the arid mountain forests of eastern California there is a living tree that's older than the pyramids of Giza and the ancient city-state of Babylon — but its location is a secret. The Methuselah tree, named after an especially long-living character in the Book of Genesis, is estimated to have started growing roughly 4,857 years ago in the White Mountains just north of Death Valley. That would put its germination date around 2,833 B.C., nearly 3,000 years before the foundation of the Roman Empire and older than all Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Scientists believe it is either the oldest or second-oldest living tree known to humanity — excepting clonal colonies, in which individual trees live and die as part of the same ancient collective organism. Even so, the Forest Service does not disclose the exact location of the Methuselah tree and has not marked it in any way, in order to protect it from vandalism. Methuselah is the oldest known tree in the Methuselah Grove, which stands at nearly 10,000 ft above sea level in what is now Inyo National Forest. It's a standout example of the Great Basin bristlecone pine, formally known as pinus longaeva. Because they are adapted to live in such harsh environments the trees are extraordinary resilient and resistant to infection. Through a process called 'strip barking', even a tiny sliver of the tree can remain alive after the rest expires, with thin strands of living matter twisting up through a dense shell of dead wood. But bristlecone pines aren't the only arboreal survivors on Earth. Some scientists believe there is a Patagonian cypress tree in the rainy mountains of Chile that is around 5,400 years old. Known as the Millennial Alerce, or sometimes Gran Abuelo (Spanish for 'grandfather'), the tree's age was estimated using a new statistical method that is not yet broadly accepted among researchers, rather than by the traditional way of counting rings of wood within the trunk. Clonal colonies — that is, groups of trees that have all sprouted off from the same ancient ancestor — can persist for many millennia, even as the individual trees live and die. One colony of quaking aspen in Utah, known as Pando, is thought to be between 9,000 and 16,000 years old, but is taking a beating from climate change. There is also one bristlecone in California's White Mountains that may be even older than Methuselah and more secret. Back in 2009, according to the tree age researcher Peter M. Brown, another researcher named Tom Harlan began studying old tree samples left to him by his predecessor. Harlan apparently found one sample he estimated to be 5,062 years old and told Brown the tree it came from was still alive. But the actual sample seems to be missing and if Harlan knew the tree's location he took it to his grave.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Incredible secret of gnarled 'Methuselah Tree' that sits deep in California desert
The 'Methuselah Tree' is discretely nestled in an eastern California mountain range, blending in among the other plants as the national forest's best kept secret. The Inyo National Forest - a stunning mix of landscapes spanning nearly 2 million acres between Los Angeles and Reno, Nevada - is home to one of the oldest trees in the world. A Great Basin Bristlecone Pine dubbed the Methuselah Tree has been around since centuries before the Pyramids of Giza were built. The twisted-trunked and weathered tree sprouted circa 2830 BCE and has since become a nearly 5,000-year-old symbol of the planet's history. But among the forest's other Great Basin Bristlecone Pines, visitors are unable to tell which is the famed Methuselah Tree. This is an intentional move by the US Forest Service to protect the tree from being vandalized or harmed, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Tourists can trek through the White Mountains, located in the Great Basin Desert, and explore the trails of the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest to witness the dense-wooded trees that are thousands of years old. While Forest Service officials have confirmed the Methuselah Tree is visible along the 4.5-mile loop, there is no sign or indicator marking its presence. The hike has been ranked moderate by the hiking app AllTrails, but is recommended visitors come prepared with water and sunblock. This trail also sits 9,000 feet above sea level, so those brave enough to take on the trail should consider the effects of the altitude, WHNT reported. The Methuselah Trail, like the others at the national forest, is open seasonally. Depending on weather conditions, this season typically runs from late spring through the fall. Great Basin Bristlecone Pines are considered the oldest non-clonal organisms in the world. The term non-clonal means the pines grew from a single seed and 'do not reproduce through cloning,' according to the National Forest Foundation. 'Bristlecone pines are a small group of trees that reach an age believed by many scientists to be far greater than that of any other living organism known to man,' USDA wrote. Scientists determine their ages by taking a sliver from their trunks to see how many rings there are. Trees' ages are determined by this number of rings, as each year they grow, another is added. The Methuselah Tree was once believed to be the longest-living tree in the world, but experts have since traced back some other Bristlecone Pines and determined them to be slightly older. Regardless, the Methuselah Tree remains the most notable natural treasure of them all among researchers and outdoors lovers. This species of trees is has been able to withstand thousands of years due to their adoptability and ability to live under circumstances other plants simply cannot survive in. Great Basin Bristlecone Pines flourish in isolated groves and 'thrive on adversity, living in harsh conditions and high elevation,' according to the USDA.
Forbes
20-07-2025
- Forbes
Explore New Hampshire's Thriving Ecotourism Scene With This Historic Hotel
The Omni Mount Washington Resort (then known as the Mount Washington Hotel) officially opened on ... More July 28th, 1902. While New England is rife with world-class hotels, few destinations can match the grandeur and historical significance of the Omni Mount Washington Resort. Located in New Hampshire's renowned White Mountains, this storied institution has been drawing guests for well over a century, and it also played a crucial role in shaping the world economy with the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference—and in the modern era, the property continues to draw visitors in droves thanks to its incredible potential for ecotourism. While outdoor adventure activities abound across Omni Mount Washington Resort limits throughout the day, one particularly fascinating event is only available past twilight. Taking place in the picturesque Rosebrook Lodge, the property's Full Moon Dinner Series provides an opportunity to marvel at the pristine beauty of the Granite State, with panoramic views of the Presidential Range on display throughout the event. Beginning with an idyllic gondola ride to the lodge, guests will enjoy an elegant three-course dinner bathed under the golden glow of the cosmos—and to sweeten the deal, gastronomy buffs can also opt for the custom wine pairing for some added elegance during their meal. Mount Washington is the highest peak in New England, standing roughly 6,288 feet tall. Beyond the Full Moon Dinner Series, the Omni Mount Washington Resort also offers a wealth of other activities that are perfect for a full immersion into the beauty of the White Mountains. For equestrians, the Bretton Woods Stables offer lengthy horseback riding sessions across the surrounding trails, while the Bretton Woods Adventure Center is an ideal spot for rock climbing, with excursions available for both newcomers and experienced adventurers along the West Wall. However, when it comes to high speed thrills, it's tough to beat the Bretton Woods Canopy Tour. Equipped with nine zip lines, two sky bridges and 16 platforms, this unforgettable experience invites guests to soar along the treeline and bask in marvelous views of the mountains, with heights reaching up to 165 feet above the ground. After a lengthy ziplining session, visitors can slow down the pace with a leisurely hike across the property, with over 2,000 miles of hiking trails found across the surrounding White Mountains. Historic carriage paths abound across the property, providing guests with an opportunity to explore natural features like the Upper Falls without having to expend too much energy, while those in search of a slightly more challenging hike can embark along the 1.6-mile West Mountain Hiking Trail, with scenic vistas of New Hampshire's Zealand Valley available at the main viewpoint. But no matter which path you choose, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for local New England birdlife, with species like the common yellowthroat, purple finch and cedar waxwing being just a few of the eye-catching animals that call the region home. The purple finch is the state bird of New Hampshire. The Omni Mount Washington Resort is a top-tier destination for history buffs, gastronomes and relaxation-oriented travelers all rolled into one—and to sweeten the deal, the property also excels at the art of ecotourism. From high-altitude thrills to idyllic nature treks via horseback, this historic hotel offers a truly diverse range of activities to keep guests occupied during a stay, with plenty of lavish amenities to enjoy along the way. If you're planning an outdoors-focused trip to New England, be sure to save some room on the itinerary for a trip to the Omni Mount Washington Resort, a can't-miss destination that perfectly showcases the immaculate beauty of New Hampshire's mountainous interior.
