Garnet Range facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Garnet Range |
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Garnet Ghost Town, Garnet Range
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Old Baldy Mountain |
| Elevation | 7,511 ft (2,289 m) |
| Geography | |
 Garnet Range
Location in Montana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
The Garnet Range is a beautiful mountain range located in Powell County, Montana. It sits northeast of a town called Drummond, Montana. The highest point in this range is Old Baldy Mountain, which stands tall at about 7,511 feet (2,289 m)!
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Exploring Garnet Ghost Town
One of the coolest places in the Garnet Range is the Garnet Ghost Town. It's a popular historic site that used to be a busy mining town. Imagine a town where thousands of people lived and worked!
This ghost town was active from the late 1800s to the 1930s. Today, it's managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). You can visit a special center there and take self-guided tours to explore the old buildings. It's like stepping back in time!
Nature and Wildlife
The Garnet Range is covered in thick forests. Even though it's very wild, it's not part of the National Forest system. Instead, much of the land belongs to the BLM.
Wilderness Study Areas
The BLM protects special parts of the Garnet Range as Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs). These are wild places kept safe for nature.
- Wales Creek WSA: This area is in the western part of the Garnets. It covers about 11,580 acres. It's known for its dense forests of different trees like lodgepole pine, spruce, Douglas fir, larch, and aspen.
- Hoodoo Mountain WSA: Located in the eastern Garnets, this area is about 11,380 acres. It's another important wild space.
Animals and Plants
These wilderness areas are home to many amazing animals. You might spot a moose herd, which are very large deer. There are also special nesting spots for goshawks, a type of bird of prey. The streams have native cutthroat trout, a kind of fish.
In the Gallagher Creek area, you can even find petrified wood. This is wood that has turned into rock over millions of years!
Hot Springs and Outdoor Fun
The Wales Creek WSA also has four hot springs. Long ago, miners used these warm springs. Today, people who love to ski or hunt sometimes use them too.
On the southern side of the Garnets, near Drummond, there's a place called Rattler Gulch. It has tall Madison Group limestone cliffs. This spot is great for rock climbing and even has parking for visitors.
Grizzly Bears
Recently, Grizzly bears have been seen living in the Garnet Range. This shows how wild and natural this area still is. It's important to remember that these bears need their space!
