Mt Goliath Natural Area - 2.8 Miles Round-Trip

The Mt Goliath Natural Area is located 16.5 miles south of Idaho Springs on the Mt Evans Scenic Byway. It protects the largest, northernmost stand of Bristlecone Pine trees in North America, and is internationally recognized as one of the purest locations to study alpine ecology.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

The bristlecone of Mt Goliath are found in large quantities because of conducive conditions on dry, south-facing slopes over 11,000'. They include some of the oldest trees in Colorado, ranging from 1600 to 2500 years old.

Bristlecone pine have unique adaptations to survive the alpine tundra's persistent winds, high elevation, low moisture, cold temperatures and short growing seasons:

• The bristlecone pine's short, twisted trunk facilitates nutrient flow, and stabilizes the tree in strong winds (vs. a long, narrow trunk that could snap).

• Flexible branches bend in the wind, rather than break.

• Slow growth rates: Bristlecones may take a century to add just 1 inch in diameter, and can become nearly dormant during a drought.

• Trees replace needles once every 10-15 years rather than annually, which conserves energy.

• Narrow growth rings create dense wood that's resistant to insects and disease. The tree's resin also combats insects and disease.

• Strip-barking enables a small strip of bark to nourish large branches and needle clusters.

Lack of nutrient competition and the absence of fire also contribute to the trees' longevity.

While bristlecone pines highlight this area, it also supports localized micro-climates with plants found nowhere else below the Arctic Circle - one would have to travel 3,000 miles north to see the same plant communities.

The Pesman Trail runs 1.4 miles and climbs 592' through these distinct plant communities and the heart of the bristlecone pine forest.

The Bristlecone Loop and Alpine Loop offer short extensions through the forest and open tundra (respectively). Mountain goat, bighorn sheep, elk, marmot, ptarmigan and various raptors can be seen throughout the year.

Plants of the Alpine Tundra

Alpine tundra plants grow close to the ground to minimize wind exposure, have small fleshy leaves with waxy surfaces to facilitate water conservation, often have hairy leaves for additional warmth, and sometimes have red stems to prevent sunburn.

They're also perennials, which use the same root system each year. Some, like the Spring Beauty, entrench themselves in rocky crevices and grow a long, thick taproot to stabilize the plant and access moisture deep underground.

Lichens are comprised of two organisms: a fungus that gives it structure, and an algae within the fungus that stores water and gives it color. Lichens need only a rock, sunlight, and some water every few years to survive.

A one inch diameter lichen may be hundreds of years old; some lichens can live for thousands of years. Lichens help turn rock into soil by secreting acids that dissolve it into minerals.

Cushion and mat plants help build soil by capturing organic debris in their foliage, plots in which grasses and taller plants can eventually root. This turns fellfield into alpine turf, a process that can take centuries.