Bristlecone Pines on the Mt Goliath Natural Area

The Mount Evans Wilderness Area to the west of Denver has the highest roadway in
North America. It goes up to a little over 14,000 feet. Being an altitude junkie, I had to go
there and check it out.

On the way to the top is The Mount Goliath Natural Area. In this boundary area between
the Sub-Alpine forest and The tundra is this Awesome Bristlecone Pine Forest. These
Trees hold onto life like no other. The winds at altitude are ferocious during the winter. I
guess in really bad centuries most of the tree would die off and in good times they grow
back on the side opposite the wind. So when viewed from certain angles the trees have a
woody / half dead appearance. These are the most interesting and beautiful trees I have
every seen. Most are between 1200 and 1600 Years Old.

When exploring around the Bristlecone Forest, I came across a mound, well almost an altar
at the top. All the trees had grown around it. It was a very mystical place, I wondered
around for hours up there wondering who else had been here over the millenia...

I will Post a Photograph of the Mound and The Bristlecone Pines in a future Post.

Date Taken: 09-06-07 Sunset
Model:Nikon D80 Shutter Speed:1/125 F-Stop:f5.6 ISO:200
Focal length:13mm Lens:Tamron 11-18mm Telephoto 

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