Difference between revisions of "Bitterroot National Forest" - New World Encyclopedia
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==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | The [[Lewis and Clark Expedition]] passed through parts of what are now forest lands in 1805. After the discovery of [[gold]] in Idaho and then Montana in the 1860s, numerous [[mining]] towns were built, some of which today are ghost towns. The [[Nez Perce]] National Historic Trail passes through a portion of the forest, following the route of the retreating Nez Perce on their historic path that led from Idaho to north-central Montana in 1877. Heavy logging and other resource depletion beginning in the 1880s led [[conservation|conservationist]]s to push for the preservation the forest. | + | The [[Lewis and Clark Expedition]] passed through parts of what are now forest lands in 1805. After the discovery of [[gold]] in Idaho and then Montana in the 1860s, numerous [[mining]] towns were built, some of which today are ghost towns. The [[Nez Perce]] National Historic Trail passes through a portion of the forest, following the route of the retreating Nez Perce on their historic path that led from Idaho to north-central Montana in 1877. Heavy [[Forestry|logging]] and other resource depletion beginning in the 1880s led [[conservation|conservationist]]s to push for the preservation the forest. |
The Bitter Root Forest Reserve was established by the General Land Office on March 1, 1898, with {{convert|4147200|acre|km2}}. It was transferred to the [[United States Forest Service|Forest Service]] in 1906. On July 1, 1908, the name was changed to Bitterroot National Forest, with lands added from Big Hole National Forest and Hell Gate National Forest. Other lands were transferred from Biterroot to Beaverhead, Clearwater, Nez Perce and Salmon National Forests. On October 29, 1934, part of Selway National Forest was added. | The Bitter Root Forest Reserve was established by the General Land Office on March 1, 1898, with {{convert|4147200|acre|km2}}. It was transferred to the [[United States Forest Service|Forest Service]] in 1906. On July 1, 1908, the name was changed to Bitterroot National Forest, with lands added from Big Hole National Forest and Hell Gate National Forest. Other lands were transferred from Biterroot to Beaverhead, Clearwater, Nez Perce and Salmon National Forests. On October 29, 1934, part of Selway National Forest was added. | ||
Revision as of 21:35, 2 January 2009
| Bitterroot National Forest | |
|---|---|
| IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area) | |
  | |
| Location: | Ravalli and Missoula counties in Montana; Idaho County in Idaho, USA |
| Nearest city: | Missoula, MT |
| Area: | 1.6 million acres (6,500 km²) |
| Established: | 1907 |
| Governing body: | U.S. Forest Service |
Bitterroot National Forest comprises 1.6 million acres (6,500 km²) in west-central Montana and eastern Idaho, of the United States.
Founded in 1898, the forest is located in the Bitterroot and the Sapphire mountain ranges with elevations ranging from 2,200 feet (650 m) along the Salmon River in Idaho to 10,157-foot (3,100-m) Trapper Peak. Roughly half the forest (743,000 acres, 3,000 km²) make up part or all of three distinct wilderness areas. These areas include the Anaconda-Pintler, Selway-Bitterroot, and Frank Church River of No Return Wildernesses. The distinction is that in wilderness areas, no roads, logging, mining, or other construction is permitted and all access must be done either on foot or horseback; even bicycles are not permitted. Hunting, however, is allowed forest-wide, including wilderness areas.
Geography
The forest headquarters is located in Hamilton, Montana. The largest nearby city is Missoula, Montana. The scenic Blodgett Canyon is but one of many steep canyons located in the forest. U.S. Highway 93 passes through portions of the forest.
Flora and fauna
The forest is a combination of both grasslands and forested zones. Grazing rights are leased to private landowners in the lower elevations where grasses and shrublands are dominant. Higher up, Douglas fir, larch, and lodgepole pine slowly give way to Engelmann spruce and whitebark pine as the altitude increases. Above the treeline at 8,000 feet (2,400 m) the trees abruptly end and alpine flowers and grasses are found.
A small grizzly bear population is located in the wilderness zones of the forest with black bear, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, elk, and moose found forestwide. An active effort to reintroduce the grizzly bear to the region concluded in 2000 with a plan to release 25 bears into the wilderness zones over a five-year period beginning in 2003.
Recreation uses
There are 1,600 miles (2,500 km) of trails and 18 improved campgrounds within the forest. Outstanding fishing is found in the dozens of rivers, streams, and lakes.
History
The Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through parts of what are now forest lands in 1805. After the discovery of gold in Idaho and then Montana in the 1860s, numerous mining towns were built, some of which today are ghost towns. The Nez Perce National Historic Trail passes through a portion of the forest, following the route of the retreating Nez Perce on their historic path that led from Idaho to north-central Montana in 1877. Heavy logging and other resource depletion beginning in the 1880s led conservationists to push for the preservation the forest.
The Bitter Root Forest Reserve was established by the General Land Office on March 1, 1898, with 4,147,200 acres (16,783 km²). It was transferred to the Forest Service in 1906. On July 1, 1908, the name was changed to Bitterroot National Forest, with lands added from Big Hole National Forest and Hell Gate National Forest. Other lands were transferred from Biterroot to Beaverhead, Clearwater, Nez Perce and Salmon National Forests. On October 29, 1934, part of Selway National Forest was added.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
External links
- Bitterroot National Forest - U.S. Forest Service
- USGS Gird Point (MT) Topo Map - TopoQuest.com
- Bitterroot National Forest Recreation
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