Bitterroot Mountains
West of Bozeman lie the impressive Bitterroot Mountains. The Bitterroot Mountains serve as the border of western Montana and eastern Idaho and are considered part of the Northern Rocky Mountains. To get to the Bitterroot Mountains from Bozeman, head west on I-90. You can turn north just after Missoula onto HWY. 93 which connects you to MT. 200, bringing you through the valley between the Bitterroot Mountains and cabinet Mountains. You can also continue west on I-90 and turn east onto MT. 135 which connects to MT. 200 as well. The southern part of the Bitterroot Mountains is accessible if you turn south on HWY. 93 in Missoula.
The Bitterroot Mountains encompass 1.6 million acres of the
Bitterroot National Forest. The Bitterroot National Forest starts at the
foothills of the Bitterroot Valley between the Bitterroot Mountains to the
west and the Sapphire Mountains to the east. The elevations of these
mountains range from 3,200 feet to 10,157 feet, the summit of Trapper
Peak.
Because of the many different elevations and its large size, the
Bitterroot Mountain Range is home to a variety of vegetation and ecosystems.
The valley floor is drier and bears a mix of sage, juniper and paintbrush.
Ponderosa pine grows only in a few places in these arid-lands. Spruce,
sub-alpine fir, and sub-alpine larch can be found growing in the higher
elevations where there is more water and moisture. Some species, such as
the sub-alpine larch are only found in a few other places in the US.
The
wildlife is just as varied as the flora of the Bitterroot Forests. Here
you can find mule deer, white-tailed deer, bighorn sheep, elk, moose,
wolves, and mountain goats. Keep your eyes peeled for mountain lions and
black bears because they also inhabit these forests. If you should see one,
do not run or panic. The Bitterroot Forest offers information on what to do
if you encounter a bear or mountain lion. Grizzly bears, however, are not
know to dwell here.
The Bitterroot Mountains offer an array of outdoor
activities. There are over 1,600 miles of trails so don't forget your
hiking boots or mountain bike. There are also excellent places to fly-fish,
rock climb, and hunt.
Today, the Bitterroot Range is threatened by logging
and motorized recreation. There was a big conflict over salvage logging
after the summer fires of 2000. The Sierra Club and other environment
groups opposed the harvesting of 190 million board feet of timber that would
have been taken out of 46,000 acres of burned forest. The outcome included
an agreement that protects 15,000 of pristine forest area that is to remain
free of roads, while logging will be limited to 55 million board feet. The
Bitterroot Mountains are worth taking the time to experience and enjoy.
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Other pages you might find helpful:
Sun Valley Idaho
Heading up from Idaho? Be sure to stop or stay in Sun Valley / Ketchum, ID.
