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Lehman Caves
The gravel wasn't natural deposit but it made a dandy spot for MSO and
me to boondock for the night
Back in 1964, a graduate student was taking core samples of various
Bristlecone Pine Trees in the Wheeler Peak area of Nevada (see the core
groove on the right). He was looking for evidence of past glaciers. Bristlecones
live to an astounding age - many are over 4,000 years old. These Bristlecone
Pines were well known in the scientific/conservation community, some were
even named such as Buddha and Socrates. When the student's coring tool
broke, he asked and received permission from the U.S. Forest Service to
cut down the tree! Counting 4,844 rings, it was later discovered that the
tree was actually 4,950 years old. It's quite possible that the grad student
killed the oldest living thing on the planet. It's name was Prometheus.
This piece is seen in the Visitors Center at Lehman Caves.
Helectites
Cypress Swamp
A Column
Only two stalagtites survived earlier souvenir hunters
Park Service Guide Melissa answers questions
Graffiti from the 1930's adorns the Inscription Room