The Ancient Bristlecone Pine trees, at 5,000 years old, are the oldest living organisms on Earth! And they survive in the harsh high altitude desert environment of the White Mountains, 2 hours north of Ridgecrest!

These arid mountains are also home to some of the darkest skies in California, making them a great location for amateur astronomy.

Ralph has spent many weeks camping at 8,500 feet in this unique environment. Although there is a forest service campground, it has no water, so you must be self-sufficient for over a week. But it's worth it for the chance to experience wonderful dark skies and the opportunity to visit with these spectacular old trees, some of which started growing there over 10,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age. Some of these trees still stand at the Patriarch Grove at 11,500 feet. Thousands of years of sun and wind have sculpted the still-standing trees into beautiful forms.

Come learn about the astronomy of the White Mountains, as well as their unique environment, geology, plants, and residents that have been alive since before the Egyptian pyramids were built! Also hear what it takes to spend a week or more in this harsh environment for dark-sky astronomy.