Crazy Mountains facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Crazy Mountains
Crazy Mountains
Highest point
Peak	Crazy Peak
Elevation	11,214 ft (3,418 m)
Dimensions
Length	40 mi (64 km) N/S
Width	15 mi (24 km) E/W
Area	600 sq mi (1,600 km2)
Geography
Location within Montana
Country	United States
State	Montana
Parent range	Rocky Mountains

The Crazy Mountains, often called the Crazies, are a mountain range in the northern Rocky Mountains in the U.S. state of Montana. These mountains stand out because they are quite isolated. They rise dramatically from the flat lands around them, making them easy to spot from far away.

Exploring the Crazy Mountains

The Crazy Mountains are a special part of Montana. They are known for their unique look and interesting history.

Where are the Crazies?

The Crazy Mountains stretch for about 40 miles (64 km). You can find them between the Musselshell River and the Yellowstone River. The tallest point in the range is Crazy Peak, which reaches 11,214 feet (3,418 meters) high.

These mountains are very noticeable. They rise over 7,000 feet (2,134 meters) above the Great Plains to the east. This makes them easy to see, especially from Interstate 90. The Crazies are an "island range." This means they are a mountain range that stands alone, not connected to other large mountain chains. Other similar ranges in Montana include the Castle Mountains and the Little Belt Mountains.

What are the Crazies Made Of?

The main rock in the Crazy Mountains is called the Big Timber Stock. This is a large mass of igneous rock. Igneous rock forms when hot, melted rock cools and hardens. This rock formed a long time ago, during the Tertiary period. It is mostly made of diorite and gabbro. You can also see many dikes and sills here. These are flat sheets of igneous rock that cut through older rock layers.

Some important natural features in the Crazy Mountains include:

• Shields River
• South Fork Musselshell River
• Sweet Grass Creek
• Crazy Peak

Who Lives Near the Crazies?

The Crazy Mountains are located where several counties meet. These include:

• Meagher County, Montana to the north
• Sweet Grass County, Montana to the east
• Park County, Montana to the west and south

Wildlife in the Crazy Mountains

Because of their location, the Crazy Mountains are drier than some other mountain ranges in Montana. This means they have fewer dense forests. Even so, they are home to many animals.

There are at least 40 alpine lakes in the range. Alpine lakes are lakes found at high elevations in the mountains. About 15 of these lakes even have names! The Crazy Mountains are part of both the Gallatin National Forest and the Lewis and Clark National Forest. These mountains are a great place for mountain goats. You might even spot a rare and shy wolverine here.

A Look Back: History of the Crazies

Did you know that the Crazy Mountains were once considered for a national park? In 1916, people in the United States Congress thought about making them a park. However, the idea didn't pass.

Later, in 1935, officials from the National Park Service looked at the area again. They decided it wouldn't work as a national park. This was because a lot of the land was already owned by the Northern Pacific Railroad or by private citizens.

Visiting the Crazy Mountains

Getting into the Crazy Mountains can be a bit tricky. Most of the mountains are surrounded by private land. This makes it harder to find public access points. This is especially true in the southern part of the range, where the highest peaks are located.

How Did the Crazy Mountains Get Their Name?

The name "Crazy Mountains" is a shorter version of "Crazy Woman Mountains." This name comes from an old story. It's said that a woman went insane and lived in these mountains after her family was killed. This happened during the time of westward settlement.

The Crow people, who lived in this area long before others, had their own name for the mountains. They called them Awaxaawapìa Pìa. This roughly translates to "Ominous Mountains." The Crow people believed these mountains had special powers. They thought the mountains were unpredictable. It was a place where people went for vision quests, a spiritual journey to gain insight.

South Face of Crazy Mountains

East Face of Crazy Mountains