Western Montana Mountains Bitterroot River Valley | MT Places To Live
The Great American West. A landscape of green valleys, rivers, lakes, and of course the amazing Rocky Mountains. The Bitterroot River’s headwaters begin high up in the Sapphire and Bitterroot Mountain ranges and flow north through the fertile Bitterroot Valley.
The valley is home to scenic destinations such Trapper Peak, Blodgett Canyon, Twin Lakes, Lake Como, Painted Rocks Reservoir, Big Creek, Bitterroot River, Lost Trail Powder Mountain, Skalkaho Falls, Hot Springs, and is the gate way to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area.
Nine small communities call this valley home including Sula, Conner, Darby, Hamilton, Corvallis, Victor, Stevensville, Florence, and Lolo.
John Muir once said “the mountains are calling and I must go”.
The Rocky Mountains are the “Crown of the Continent”, and provide awe inspiring mountains, peaks, valleys, and abundant wildlife. The Bitterroot River flows between the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountain ranges. Elk, Deer, and Moose call this valley home. These mountains embody the spirit of the Rockies, where generations have sought their embrace.
For thousands of years, the Kootenai, Salish, Flathead, and Blackfoot tribes thrived off this wild and fertile landscape. They lived their lives according to the rhythm of nature and survived on her good harvest.
In the summer of 1805, Lewis and Clark explored the Bitterroot Valley on their way to the Pacific Ocean. Famous mountain men like John Colter, Jim Bridger, and Jerimiah Johnston wandered this land not for riches, not for gold, but for the pure adventure.
In 1840 Father Pierre De Smit accompanied a brigade from the American Fur Company into the Rocky Mountains and started the St. Mary’s mission in present day Stevensville.
Settlers flocked to the Bitterroot seeking its fertile soils and warm climate for growing vegetables and raising livestock. To this day several families can trace their roots back to original homesteaders telling tales of adversity, adventure, and love that encompasses several generations.
In 1964 the United States Congress set aside 1.3 million acres of raw wilderness and named it the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area.
The Bitterroot Mountain Range extends over 300 hundred miles and borders the valley to the west. Known for its awe-inspiring mountain peaks, lakes, trails, fishing and hunting.
Equally breathtaking with a vastly different landscape. The Sapphire Mountains lie to the east and provide a mixture of grassy slopes, timbered draws, and rushing creeks.
Skalkaho Falls is a well-known landmark and plunges over 100 feet. The crystal-clear water originates high in the alpine meadows, and meanders through the lush forest to the Bitterroot Valley below.
Trapper Peak is a rugged mountain and its pinnacle extends to ten thousand feet above sea level. Lewis and Clark were the first to see the peak and made comments in their journal about its rugged nature.
Blodgett Canyon towers above the quant town of Hamilton. This massive rock canyon creates the perfect back drop providing a rare glimpse of the world behind the wall of mountains.
Beautiful Lake Como is only a short distance from Hamilton. This pristine lake provides breath taking vistas, water sports, and miles of trails to explore.
Nine small communities are situated along the banks of the Bitterroot River. Each has retained their charm and sense of community. The Bitterroot River is the heart and soul of these small towns, and its residents enjoy the river bottom for fishing, hunting, and water sports.
The Bitterroot begins with the quaint town of Sula. A town of only 37 residents nestled along the East Fork of the Bitterroot River. The East Fork of the Bitterroot boast an abundant fishery, and some of the best hunting opportunities in Montana.
Hamilton is the largest town in the Bitterroot Valley with a population just under 13,000 residents. Hamilton is the epicenter of the Bitterroot Valley, and provides fine dining, shops, and all the necessities.
The town of Stevensville is etched in history and holds the distinct honor of being the birthplace of Montana. The well-preserved buildings and artifacts of the St Mary’s Mission afford visitors a glimpse of the historical beginnings of the Montana territory. Stevensville is also known for its postcard perfect main street with quaint shops, eateries, and American spirit.
Life in the Bitterroot Valley is centered around the rhythm of nature, inspiring mountains, lakes, and the Bitterroot River. This wild country beacons, whispers, and calls to the adventurer in all of us. If you could like to own your Montana dream please contact John Anderson.
Fly Fishing the Bitterroot River with montanahuntingfishingadv.com
Fly Fishing the Bitterroot River with Montana Hunting Fishing Adventures
Montana Tailwater | Overcoming Challenging Conditions
Tailwater fishing can be very difficult, but rewarding. We began our Montana trip on the Bighorn river as we traveled West to visit my cousin, Nick. Fishing in Montana can be great! However things don't always go as planned. On our visit to the Bighorn we were greeted by high water levels with flows over 9,500 cfs. Despite the high water we were still able to use some tight-line nymphing tactics to bring a few fish to the net and warm up for our next stop - the Missouri.
Gear we needed on the Bighorn:
- 11ft 3wt Risen Fly rod -
- Wading staff ( )
- SealLine ( )
Flies:
- Lively legz pheasant tail
- Caddis pupae
- Sulfur perdigon
#MontanaTailwater
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The Bitterroot Valley and Hamilton Montana - Part 1
Meet Henry Silverio and get an introduction to the crown jewel of Montana, the Bitterroot Valley. Check out more info on discovermontana.net where you can learn about the towns and lifestyle of this recreational paradise that borders the largest designated wilderness area in the continental United States.
Outdoor Adventures in the Bitterroot Valley
Find your adventure in the Bitterroot Valley. Fishing, hiking, biking, birding, hunting, and paddling in a spectacular Rocky Mountain setting.
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Montana Boys
Guns, Jeeps and rollin rocks
Welcome to Montana and The Bitterroots!
We left Idaho and the Salmon River behind as we entered into Montana (for the first time!) and the Bitterroot Mountains. Hope you enjoy coming along with us!
Music: Beat It On Down the Line by The Littlest Birds
Check em' out and buy their tunes!
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Gallatin River Fly Fishing | Montana
Montana Ranches For Sale Fiddler Creek Hunting Recreation Beartooth Wilderness
Montana ranches for sale brings us the 345-acre Fiddler Creek Ranch located next to the Beartooth wilderness this ranch offers exceptional hunting for elk, whitetail deer and mule deer all in a gated, private location.
The adjoining million-acre Absaroka-Beartooth wilderness contains all 28 of the highest peaks in Montana including the 12,970-foot Granite Peak which is Montana's highest peak. Nearby East Rosebud offers tremendous hiking in one of Montana's most popular trails, the Beaten Path, along with great high mountain lakes fishing.
The nearby town of Red Lodge plays host to Red Lodge mountain ski resort as well as the Beartooth Pass and northeast entrance into Yellowstone National Park. Journalist Charles Kuralt called the Beartooth Pass the most scenic highway in America.
Fishing opportunities nearby are abundant with the Stillwater river, west Rosebud Creek, the Yellowstone river and Rock Creek all just a short distance away from the ranch.
Montana's largest city, Billings, is just under one hour away offering the State's top medical care along with Billings Logan International airport and a host of cultural, shopping and dining options.
The hunting on the ranch is absolutely superb offering upland birds, trophy Rocky mountain elk and nice populations of both whitetail deer and mule deer.
Hiking opportunities are abundant with two of the State's premier recreation drainages in West Rosebud and East Rosebud very close by.
The closest small town is Absarokee, Montana which is located right on the Stillwater river, a blue-ribbon fishery, and it is approximately 20 minutes from the ranch. Adventure Whitewater, one of Montana's top rafting companies is also located in Absarokee and rafts on the Stillwater and Yellowstone rivers for the thrill-seekers in the family.
The ranch is approximately 90 minutes away from the northeast entry to Yellowstone National Park located in Cooke City, Montana. The Beartooth Pass is closed in the winter but the Cooke City area of the Yellowstone National Park is accessible through Gardiner, Montana all winter long and is one of the premier snowmobiling destinations in North America.
There are several great locations on the ranch to build a home, or guest houses, that all have phenomenal Beartooth mountain views. Septic permits are run through Montana DNRC, as are the water well approvals. Stillwater County would be the authority in charge of issuing building permits.
Several forks of Fiddler creek run through the ranch creating a nice riparian corridor and there is significant dry land hay ground that should produce great results from a first cutting in June. This makes the ranch well suited to supporting horses.
If you would like more information regarding the Fiddler Creek ranch then simply contact Rick Eisen of Legacy Lands, LLC at 406-223-6872 or visit their website at
Patterson Hollow Trip Two (not as shaky)
A short hike up to some cliffs and waterfalls along Patterson Hollow near, Greenwood, Kentucky.
Trip One's video isn't working at the moment.
Check out Bill's website for nature and train photography, as well as other subjects. Shop through his affiliate links or support him directly so he can get out on more hikes with me:
Shot in 2.7 K @60 fps
Bitterroot Bighorns
Difficult decisions may have saved half the herd.
Bitterroot researcher finds surprise while studying elk
New evidence suggests that elk -- much like professional fighters -- train for this long before the fall arrives.
Proposed MT FWP hunting district boundary changes for the 2014 season
John Wimple of SCI discusses the proposed MT FWP hunting district boundary changes for the 2014 season. It's becoming very clear that the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is gearing up to let special interest and animal rights groups take their place within MT FWP replacing sportsmen
This American Land: Montana Wilderness
sturgeon fishing 5/2013
Fish took me around the motor and boat a few times ended up with 25 fish total . All released.
Bitterroot Trails - RMEF, Partners Take Action, Protect Popular Recreation Area, Wildlife Habitat
MISSOULA, Mont.—A 120-acre tract of wildlife and riparian habitat in western Montana, under threat of development, is now permanently protected and open to public access thanks to timely collaborative work by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its partners.
“This project is a big win for a multitude of reasons,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “It’s a win for elk and other wildlife. It’s a win for multiple-use and it’s a win for everyone seeking better access to our public lands.”
The property is located immediately to the north of the Bass Creek Recreation Area (BRCA) between Missoula and Hamilton. It lies at the base of the Bitterroot Mountains, borders Sweeney Creek and is approximately two miles east of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. It is also surrounded on three sides by the Bitterroot National Forest while a five-acre subdivision lies immediately to the east.
“This project maintains habitat values and prevents fragmentation of vital habitat for elk and other wildlife,” said Larry Irwin, RMEF board member who lives nearby in the Bitterroot Valley. “It also enhances recreation activity in the popular Bass Creek area and prevents the conversion of a non-motorized trail into a permanent vehicle route.”
A bank previously foreclosed on the land with the intent of selling it on the private market. If that happened, the Bitterroot National Forest could have been obligated to grant permanent access via the establishment of a motorized road through the property. Instead, RMEF and its partners worked together to purchase the land and convey it to the Bitterroot National Forest, thereby placing it in the public’s hands.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment for the Forest Service, our partners, and most of all, public land users,” said Tami Sabol, Stevensville District ranger. “The close proximity of the Bass Creek Recreation Area to Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley make it one of the most popular areas on the Bitterroot National Forest, providing a quality ‘backyard community’ recreation experience.” Sabol also emphasized “this purchase consolidates existing federal ownership and provides connectivity across the Bass Creek, Larry Creek, and Sweeney Creek watersheds, which is a fantastic benefit for wildlife.”
The property is important winter range for elk and mule deer and is also home to whitetail deer, turkey and other bird and mammal life.
The BCRA is used by approximately 60,000 people each year for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, mountain biking and other recreational pursuits. The acquisition provides improved access to adjacent public land and to Sweeney Creek.
“Farmers State Bank is so excited to partner with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Forest Service to provide a new outdoor recreational area in the Bitterroot Valley. Working with the RMEF and Forest Service to bring this project to fruition is a great example of community involvement and is one of the many reasons Farmers State Bank is proud to call Western Montana home,” said Kay Clevidence, Farmers State Bank president.
Funding for the project came from the Land and Water Conservation Fund Priority Recreational Access program, Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s Torstenson Family Endowment, National Wild Turkey Federation, Mule Deer Foundation, Bitterroot Backcountry Horsemen and Farmers State Bank.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded over 30 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of more than 227,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 7.3 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation™” at rmef.org, elknetwork.com or 800-CALL ELK.
Fearless Rock Memorial 2014 with GoPro
Fearless Rock Memorial at Lake Ouachita Blakely Dam.
Dedicated to Fallen Navy SEAL Adam Brown of Hot Springs, AR
Shot with GoPro Original HD HERO.
Credits:
If You're Reading This-Tim McGraw
American Soldier-Toby Kieth