Recreational Activities - Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
Schulman Grove Visitor Center Destroyed by Fire
Fire destroyed the Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center on September 4th, 2008. The Inyo National Forest has requested funds to replace the visitor center but in the interim, the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association has initiated a log donation program to assist in the reconstruction effort. For more information on the fire or how you can assist in the reconstruction effort, please contact John Louth, Bristlecone Pine Forest Manger at 760-873-2514 or contact John at jlouth@fs.fed.us.
![[Photo]: Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitors Center](images/visitor-center.jpg)
Visitor's Center
Getting to the Bristlecone
Pine Forest
The road into the Bristlecone
Pine Forest is usually open from mid-May through sometime in mid-November,
snow dependent. Conditions can vary greatly from year to year with
snow pack and weather. The visitor center is staffed 7 days a week
from mid-June through the end of September with reduced staffing
in May and October. During the summer months there are many activities
to choose from while visiting the bristlecone forest. The Bristlecone
Pine Forest Visitor Center offers ranger-led programs, exhibits,
picnic areas, a natural history film, interpretive talks, a bookstore
and three interpretive trails.
To get to the Bristlecone Pine Forest turn east on State Highway
168, one half mile north of the town of Big Pine, CA, which is 15
miles south of Bishop, CA. Travel east on 168 about 12 miles until
you reach the top of Westgard Pass, which is a long flat plateau
rather than steep mountain pass. Turn left on the White Mountain
Road, which is the only paved road turn off in this area; it is
clearly signed to the Bristlecone Pine Forest. Follow this paved
road 10 miles until you find the turn off and parking lot to the
Schulman Grove Visitor Center, trails and the magnificent bristlecone
pine trees. The road is paved the entire way, and is a bit steep
and windy in parts. Smaller motor homes/campers can make the trip
without trouble; large motor homes might find the road a bit challenging.
There is the Pinyon Picnic Area and interpretive trail about half
way along the road should you want to stop, restrooms are available
at that site.
During the summer months' bottled water and very limited snacks
are available at the visitor center so it is best to bring your
own food, drinks, a hat, sunscreen, and warm clothes - anytime of
the year it can turn chilly at 10,000 feet. Keep in mind that dehydration
can be a problem in this high dry environment so your choice of
drinks would be best if it included more water and sports type of
drinks rather than sodas. Dogs are welcome in the bristlecone pine
forest and on the trails, they need to be on leash and please clean
up after them. Naturalist programs and documentary film showings
are presented daily at Schulman Grove during the summer months.
Camping is not allowed in the bristlecone forest
but there is a campground only 5 miles south of the forest along
the White Mountain Road. The Grandview
Campground is situated among Pinyon and Juniper trees and is
a favorite dark sky campground of local astronomers. Water and trash
service is not available at Grandview, there is a voluntary maintenance
"fee" of $3.00 per day/site and reservations are
not available. Collection of firewood is allowed in the
pinyon pine forest adjacent to the Grandview Campground but any
collection of wood in the bristlecone forest is strictly prohibited.
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