Thanks Erik and Andrea,
I really like the chainsaw suggestion. There is a mountain peak in the background hidden by the Spruce trees. It would be a great shot. Somehow I don't think the US Forest Service would take to kindly though. I do like he idea of shooting from the side. Perhaps to the left, although I don't remember if the view is clear. Unfortunately, I can't get up there so investigate until the end of May when the gate is opened again. Moving back is into a dense stand of trees.
Andrea, I also wonder how this could of happened. There are, of course, some strange shaped trees, but two of them with similar deformations is really unique.
Black and white rendering helps somewhat as does a medium telephoto on one of the trees, but I want it all, i.e., both threes.
Thanks for the comments.