Highland Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Highland Mountains |
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 Highland Mountains
Location in Montana
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Table Mountain |
| Elevation | 10,223 ft (3,116 m) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
The Highland Mountains are a beautiful mountain range in Montana, USA. They are located southwest of a town called Whitehall, Montana. These mountains stretch across two counties: Silver Bow and Madison County, Montana.
The highest point in the Highland Mountains is a peak called Table Mountain. It stands tall at 10,223 feet (about 3,116 meters) above sea level. This makes it a significant landmark in the area.
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Exploring the Highland Mountains
The Highland Mountains are a special place for nature and wildlife. They are known for their rugged beauty and important natural features.
The Continental Divide
A very important line called the Continental Divide runs through these mountains. Imagine a giant line that separates which ocean rivers flow into. On one side, water flows towards the Pacific Ocean. On the other side, it flows towards the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. The Continental Divide acts like a huge natural "water parting" line across North America.
Roadless Areas and Wildlife
A large part of the Highland Mountains is a "roadless area." This means there are no paved roads for cars. It's a wild space, covering about 21,000 acres. This area helps protect the natural environment. It includes Red Mountain, another peak over 10,000 feet tall.
These mountains are home to amazing animals, especially bighorn sheep. These sheep are famous for their huge, curled horns. The Highlands provide very nutritious plants for these sheep to eat. Because of this good food, the bighorn sheep here grow their horns faster than almost any other herd in Montana!
Lakes and Forests
You can find beautiful spots like Emerald Lake in the Highlands. Its waters have a lovely green tint. This green color looks amazing next to the reddish rocks of Red Mountain.
Another important area is a smaller roadless section of about 10,000 acres. This area is part of the Basin Creek drainage. It's very important because it protects the "municipal watershed" for the city of Butte. A municipal watershed is a natural area that collects and filters water. This clean water then supplies the city for drinking and other uses.
The forests in the Highland Mountains are filled with different kinds of trees. You'll often see Lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir trees growing tall here. These trees are common in the mountain regions of Montana.
