LIMBER PINES TRAIL
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 3.04 mi
- Elevation gain
- 351 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 377 ft
- Max elevation
- 9,629 ft
- TrailRank
-
15
4.3
- Min elevation
- 9,339 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- one hour 21 minutes
- Coordinates
- 500
- Uploaded
- June 22, 2010
- Recorded
- June 2010
near Divide, Colorado (United States)
Viewed 1460 times, downloaded 3 times
Itinerary description
This trail runs between Fourmile and Horseshoe Campgrounds, a distance of just under 1.5 miles. Near its high point (10,900 ft), it passes through a small grove of ancient limber and Bristlecone pine "character" trees. From either end, the trail makes a fairly gentle ascent up timbered slopes to Limber Grove. The grove is much closer to the west end of the trail, so Fourmile is the usual access.
At first glance, some people might not be too impressed by this little patch of scraggly timber. However, as one looks closer, it becomes clear that these are not ordinary trees. These are old trees.
Most of the trees here are limber pines (longer, tufted needles) with some Bristlecone pines (shorter needles with white flecks of pitch and a "foxtail, appearance).
Rocky, dry ground; high altitude, a short winter, and screaming winter winds all combine to dictate that life in limber grove is short and hard for the weak and not very long even for the strong. But for the indomitable, the possessors of a life force perhaps beyond human understanding, life in the limber grove has spanned many centuries. These are "the old ones," the larger of the trees you see before you.
The strange, tortured beauty of these trees grows in the mind as one walks among them, sensing the character in their twisted shapes and the wind-blasted grain of the exposed wood. Even the trees that have finally fallen victim to fire or old age will sometimes stand for centuries more, seemingly defying death itself.
At this writing, we are not yet sure how old these trees are. That some of them are 1,000 years old. or more is a pretty good guess.
Needless to say, the trees of Limber Grove, by their very survival, have earned the most respectful treatment we can accord them. The cutting or breaking of a single branch, root or needle - dead or alive - would be an insult to the trees and to those who might enjoy them in centuries to come.
Please do not damage or remove the slightest part of any of these trees, whether dead or alive, standing or down.
Thanks for taking good care of Limber Grove and enjoy your hike!
Here is the road back http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=982988
At first glance, some people might not be too impressed by this little patch of scraggly timber. However, as one looks closer, it becomes clear that these are not ordinary trees. These are old trees.
Most of the trees here are limber pines (longer, tufted needles) with some Bristlecone pines (shorter needles with white flecks of pitch and a "foxtail, appearance).
Rocky, dry ground; high altitude, a short winter, and screaming winter winds all combine to dictate that life in limber grove is short and hard for the weak and not very long even for the strong. But for the indomitable, the possessors of a life force perhaps beyond human understanding, life in the limber grove has spanned many centuries. These are "the old ones," the larger of the trees you see before you.
The strange, tortured beauty of these trees grows in the mind as one walks among them, sensing the character in their twisted shapes and the wind-blasted grain of the exposed wood. Even the trees that have finally fallen victim to fire or old age will sometimes stand for centuries more, seemingly defying death itself.
At this writing, we are not yet sure how old these trees are. That some of them are 1,000 years old. or more is a pretty good guess.
Needless to say, the trees of Limber Grove, by their very survival, have earned the most respectful treatment we can accord them. The cutting or breaking of a single branch, root or needle - dead or alive - would be an insult to the trees and to those who might enjoy them in centuries to come.
Please do not damage or remove the slightest part of any of these trees, whether dead or alive, standing or down.
Thanks for taking good care of Limber Grove and enjoy your hike!
Here is the road back http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=982988
Comments (1)
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Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
Nice, simple trail, great for those days when you want a decent view but aren't in the mood to hike up a mountain to get it. Thanks for the thorough write-up!