Bristlecone Pines

Bristlecone pine, Great Basin National Monument, NV

The oldest trees in the world, some older than 4 or 5 thousand years. I hiked up to commune with them in their grove on the side of the mountain, above 10,000 feet altitude, the morning after camping for the night at Wheeler Peak campground, Great Basin National Park, Nevada.



light tangles in
the tree's broad crown, painting
shadows on the trail



how many skies
have you seen, eldest father?
numberless sand-grains