Bitterroot Range
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| Bitterroot Range | |
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| Location: | Idaho Montana USA |
| Nearest city: | Missoula, MT |
| Coordinates: | |
| Governing body: | U.S. Forest Service |
- This article is about the entire Bitterroot Range. For the Bitterroot Mountains, see its section below or the Bitterroot Mountains article.
The Bitterroot Range (a subrange of the Rocky Mountains) runs along the border of Montana and Idaho in the northwestern United States. The range spans an area of 62,736 square kilometers (24,223 mi²) and is named after the bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva), a small pink flower that is the state flower of Montana.[1]
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[edit] History
In 1805, the Corps of Discovery, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, crossed the Bitterroot Range, first entering the Bitterroot Valley from the south via Lost Trail Pass, and then exiting to the west via Lolo Pass.
In 1805, Lewis and Clark crossed these mountains and encountered the Nez Perce Native American tribe.
[edit] Ranges
The Bitterroot Range runs from the Cabinet River Gorge (near Sandpoint, Idaho) to Monida Pass, and includes the following subranges:
[edit] Beaverhead Mountains
The Beaverhead Mountains are the southeastern-most portion of the Bitterroot Range and encompass an area of 4,532 square miles (11,738 km²). They lie to the east of the Bitterroot Mountains and lie to the west of the Big Hole Basin and the Pioneer Mountains. Passes in the mountains include Big Hole Pass, Big Hole Pass II, Junction Pass, Monida Pass, and Soudough-Muddy Pass. The Beaverheads are further subdivided into the West Big Hole Mountains, the Big Hole Divide, the Tendoy Mountains, the Italian Peaks, and the Garfield Peaks.[2]
[edit] Bitterroot Mountains
The Bitterroot Mountains, comprised of the Northern and Central Bitterroot Ranges, ar the largest portion of the Bitterroot Range and encompass an area of 4,862 square miles (12,593 km²). The mountains are bordered on the north by Lolo Creek, on the south by the Salmon River, on the east by the Bitterroot River and Valley, and on the west by the Selway and Lochsa Rivers.[3] Its highest summit is Trapper Peak, at 10,157 feet (3,096 m).[4][5] Its highest summit is Trapper Peak, at 10,157 feet (3,096 m).
[edit] Centennial Mountains
The Centennial Mountains encompass an area of 2,064 square miles (5,346 km²).[6]
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[edit] Coeur d'Alène Mountains
The Coeur d'Alène Mountains are the northwestern-most portion of the Bitterroot Range and encompass an area of 2,590 square miles (6,708 km²). The mountain range's two highest peaks are the 7,352 foot (2,241 m) Cherry Peak and the 6,837 foot (2,084 m) Patricks Knob.[7]
[edit] Saint Joe Mountains
The Saint Joe Mountains, the smallest named portion of the Bitterroot Range, encompass an area of 698 square miles (1,808 km²). They lie between the St. Joe River on the south, the Couer d'Alène River on the north, the Slate Creek saddle on the east and the plateau of the Moscow, Idaho/Pullman, Washington area on the Idaho/Washington border.[8][9]
[edit] References
- ^ Bivouac.com - Canadian Mountain Encyclopedia - Bitterroot Range. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
- ^ Peakbagger.com - Beaverhead Mountains. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
- ^ Bivouac.com - Canadian Mountain Encyclopedia - Bitterroot Mountains. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
- ^ Peakbagger.com - Northern Bitterroot Range. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
- ^ Peakbagger.com - Central Bitterroot Range. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
- ^ Peakbagger.com - Centennial Mountains. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
- ^ Peakbagger.com - Couer d'Alène Mountains. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
- ^ Peakbagger.com - Saint Joe Mountains. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
- ^ Bivouac.com - Canadian Mountain Encyclopedia - St. Joe Mountains. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
[edit] External links
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