John Long Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Long Mountains |
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Highest point | |
Elevation | 7,923 ft (2,415 m) |
Geography | |
Country | United States |
State | Montana |
The John Long Mountains are a small mountain range in Montana, United States. They are located northwest of Philipsburg, Montana in Granite County, Montana. The highest point in the main part of the range is 7,923 feet (about 2,415 meters) tall.
These mountains are managed by two important groups: the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and the Lolo National Forest. They are known for their beautiful forests and special areas without roads.
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Exploring the John Long Mountains
The John Long Mountains offer a great place to explore nature. They are home to many different kinds of trees and animals.
Wild Spaces and Forests
A large part of the John Long Mountains is a "roadless area." This means there are no roads built there, keeping the land wild and natural. In 1990, this special area was about 65,000 acres big. It is centered around Silver King Mountain in the southern part of the range.
The higher parts of the mountains have forests of whitebark pine trees. These trees are very important for wildlife. Lower down, especially on the eastern side, you can find lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir trees. The western slopes have open grassy areas mixed with groves of Douglas-fir trees.
Amazing Wildlife: Bighorn Sheep
One of the most exciting things about the John Long Mountains is the chance to see bighorn sheep. These amazing animals live in the Babcock Mountain Bighorn Sheep Viewing Area. This special area is about 8,000 acres and is part of the Lolo National Forest.
The viewing area is located along the Rock Creek Road on the western edge of the mountains. There are places to park and hiking trails. This makes it easy for visitors to spot bighorn sheep in their natural home.
What's the Highest Point?
There is some discussion about the exact highest point of the John Long Mountains. Some people believe that the Quigg Peak area, which is sometimes linked to the Sapphire Mountains, is actually part of the John Long Mountains. If this is true, then the highest point would be Butte Cabin Ridge, which is 8,468 feet (about 2,581 meters) tall.