The cones are up to three inches long and have thick, pointed scales.

Occupying open habitat, often on ridges above 5,000 feet, Whitebark Pine is easily seen on the north and east sides of the Park.

The trees often have multiple trunks and the trees may be 40 feet tall but also can take on a "krummholz" form where growing at high, exposed sites. Here a healthy tree grows among a field of lupine at Sunrise.