1/18/2024 0 Comments Montana mountain sceneryHistory buffs can explore ghost towns, such as Coolidge, that serve as reminders of the history of mining in this region.īeaverhead-Deerlodge is home to grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, black bears, Canadian lynx, cougar, elk, mule deer, coyote, moose, and bald eagles. The Deerlodge section is home to Flint Creek Range, the Tobacco Root Mountains, and parts of the Elkhorn Mountains. Visitors to this forest can head to the Beaverhead section to explore ranges such as the Pioneer, Sapphire, Gravelly, Centennial, and Bitterroot mountain ranges. The forest lies in Granite, Deer Lodge, Jefferson, Powell, Beaverhead, Silver Bow, Gallatin, and Madison counties in the southwestern part of Montana. Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forestīeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is the largest national forest in Montana, covering 3.35 million acres. The mountains are great for hiking, camping, and fishing throughout the year. Visitors can head to Crystal Park within the Pioneer Mountains to mine quartz crystals. The western section of the range is heavily forested with old-growth trees such as lodgepole pine and whitebark pine. It’s also home to mountain goats, black bears, wolverines, elk, moose, and pronghorns. The West Pioneers hold lakes such as Torrey, Cherry, Granite, and Green Lakes. Mountain goats and pronghorn inhabit the higher sections of the range and the grassland foothills. The East Pioneers have the highest peaks and hold over 30 high lakes, including the Grayling, Hidden, and Sawtooth Lakes. Mount Fleecer, Tweedy, Torrey, Odell, and Baldy Mountains are the highest peaks. The paved Wise River Road divides the Pioneer Mountains into the West Pioneers and the East Pioneers. km.) in the southwestern part of Montana. Visitors to the Wise River may want to explore the source of the river in the Pioneer Mountains in Beaverhead County. Attractions Pioneer Mountains Image: James St. Here are some of the best attractions and activities available in the Wise River region. Wise River’s location offers plenty of breathtaking scenery and opportunities for recreational activities. Wildlife within the Wise River region includes the rocky mountain elk, sage crane, northern bog lemming, curlew, and pronghorn. The Wise River is a Class II river with plenty of mountain whitefish, fluvial Grayling, and Westslope cutthroat trout. The Wise River is an anglers’ hotspot, thanks to its popular fly fishing sections. The 40 miles of backcountry offer opportunities for fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, crystal digging, and camping. The route bisects the rugged Pioneer Mountains between Highway 278 and Highway 43. Visitors who wish to drive towards the source of the Wise River can cross the other side of the mountains and follow Grasshopper Creek. The road has several turnouts, allowing visitors to explore remote areas such as the Elkhorn Mine and the ghost town of Coolidge. It offers scenic views of the Wise River and the Pioneer Mountains. The paved Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway is 49 miles long, following the Wise River to its source. ![]() The Wise River runs along the north half of the federally designated Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway. It flows north-northwest within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest before joining the Big Hole River, approximately 0.6 miles (0.97 km) north of the small mountain town of Wise River. ![]() It flows from an elevation of 5,607 feet (1,709 m). The river runs through beautiful mountain scenery from its source, tumbling over boulders and rocks. The Wise River rises from the southern section of the Pioneer Mountains and flows approximately 30 miles to its confluence with the Big Hole River. The Pioneer Mountains Byway was established in 1989 and runs alongside the Wise River, crossing over a valley rich in the history of gold mining. They opened the Elkhorn Mine and formed the Boston Mining Company. In 1873, prospectors discovered silver near Coolidge in the Pioneer Mountains. The miners exploited every valley, creek, and nook in search of the mineral. In the 1860s, miners flocked the region after discovering gold mines on the Nez Perce Reservation. This would change in the 1810s-1840s when the American Fur Company, Hudson’s Bay Company, and the North West Company exploited the area for animal fur pelts. In the early 1800s, the Wise River region was a “buffer” zone for native American tribes such as the Shoshone, Blackfeet, Nez Perce, and Salish. ![]() History of the Wise River Image: TravelingOtter
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |