Pioneer Mountains (Montana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pioneer Mountains |
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Tweedy Mountain |
| Elevation | 11,154 ft (3,400 m) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| Range coordinates | 45°37′N 112°55′W / 45.617°N 112.917°W |
| Parent range | Beaverhead Mountains |
The Pioneer Mountains are a large mountain range in southwestern Montana, USA. They cover about 2,000 square miles (5,180 square kilometers) in Beaverhead County. This area is known for its beautiful landscapes and diverse wildlife.
Contents
Tallest Peaks
The Pioneer Mountains are home to several high peaks. The tallest one is Tweedy Mountain.
Here are some of the highest peaks in this range:
- Tweedy Mountain (11,154 feet or 3,400 meters)
- Torrey Mountain (11,147 feet or 3,398 meters)
- Baldy Mountain (10,568 feet or 3,221 meters)
- Mount Fleecer (9,436 feet or 2,876 meters)
- Odell Mountain (9,405 feet or 2,867 meters)
Two Sides of the Mountains
The Pioneer Mountains are split into two main parts. A paved road called Wise River Road runs through them. This road divides the mountains into the East Pioneers and the West Pioneers. The tallest mountains in the whole range, like Tweedy Mountain, are found in the East Pioneers. These two parts of the mountains look quite different from each other.
East Pioneers: Rugged and Wild
The East Pioneers have rugged, rocky peaks. Many of these peaks were shaped by glaciers long ago. About 145,000 acres of the East Pioneers have no roads. This makes them a truly wild place.
There are more than 30 high lakes in the East Pioneers. Some of these lakes, like Grayling Lake, have special fish called Arctic grayling. You can also find Golden trout in Sawtooth and Hidden Lakes. Mountain goats live on the high, rocky cliffs. Lower down, in the grassy foothills, you might see pronghorn. Not many people visit the East Pioneers for recreation. Many lake areas do not even have trails.
West Pioneers: Gentle Forests and Unique Wildlife
In contrast to the East Pioneers, the West Pioneers are gently rolling mountains. They are covered in thick forests. The highest point in the West Pioneers is Stine Mountain, which is 9,497 feet (2,895 meters) tall.
About 148,000 acres of the West Pioneers are a Wilderness Study Area. This means they are protected and kept wild. In total, about 239,000 acres of the West Pioneers had no roads as of 1992.
Special Fish and Ancient Trees
The lakes in the West Pioneers are very important. They might hold the last pure group of Arctic grayling south of Canada. These fish are very rare.
The West Pioneers also have very old trees. You can find old growth whitebark pine and lodgepole pine trees here. Some lodgepole pine trees are over 500 years old. This makes them some of the oldest known anywhere.
Wildlife in the West Pioneers
Many different animals live in the West Pioneers. These include elk, black bear, moose, pine marten, wolverine, and northern goshawk. This area is considered a very special place for nature.
Crystal Park
There is a special place called Crystal Park in the Beaverhead National Forest. It is located just off the Wise River Road. At Crystal Park, the public can dig for their own quartz crystals. It's a fun activity where you can find sparkling treasures!
