Hiking at this altitude was strenuous and slow. I was immediately aware, I would not make the entire 4 1/2 mile loop around the Methuselah Trail. The trail begins just past the Vistor's Center and transverses both the north and south-facing slopes. With more trees on the north-facing slope, I ascended the steep terraine in hopes of finding a few good specimens. This was one of the first trees I came to that bordered the Methuselah Trail. Note the southern exposed slope in the background where the trees are more sparsely arranged due to longer exposure from the sun and faster snow melt in the winter.