|
Email us
| |
History of the
Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
|
History
In 1907 when the Forest Service was
created, a large portion of the Bitterroot Valley became some of the first
National Forest land in the United States. In 1964 the United States
congress designated the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness area as part of the
original Wilderness act and now totals over 1.25 million acres.
Definition of Wilderness
A wilderness in contrast with those areas where man and his own works
dominate the landscape is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and
its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a
visitor who does not remain. |
The Terrain
This vast wildland is one of the roughest mountain areas in the Rocky
Mountain Range. The wilderness forms a rugged, glacier-carved border
between Idaho and Montana. During our trips we are we are always
surrounded by raw snow covered granite peaks and sheer granite cliffs and
canyons. Our sure footed mules and horses have no problem getting our
guests in and out safe and sound.
|
The Vegetation
Below the granite peaks lies vast stretches of virgin timberland.
Western Larch, Lodge Pole pine, and Alpine Fir up high
on the canyon walls, with Douglass Fir, Ponderosa Pine and Spruce forests
along the creeks. Some of the trees are 5 foot wide
at the base and were growing long before Lewis and Clark first came wet.
Native grasses and wild flowers grow in the meadows
close to our camps. |
The Water
Water is pure and plentiful in the lakes and streams of
the Selway Bitterroot. Abundant numbers of cutthroat, Rainbow, Brook
and Bull Trout live in these streams and lakes. |
|
The Wildlife
Hardly any humans visit the huge trail less portions of this
wilderness, which makes it all the more appealing for the
Selway-Bitterroot elk herd, plus
deer, moose, mountain goats, black bears, mountain lions and wolves.
The Weather
During our packtrip season, July-August, our temperatures average from
70's in the day time to 50's at night time. The majority of our rain comes
in May and June. July and August are generally very nice. Snow begins to
accumulate in October and obtains depths up to 10 feet before disappearing
by our camps in Mid to late June.
|
| Regulations
Anything motorized is not allowed into the wilderness. 
Chainsaws are not allowed in the wilderness. Wood must be cut with axes
and cross-cuts. Here is a picture of the hard work that must be done to
fuel our camp fires.
|
 |
We charge $200 a day per person, 3 day minimum trip
required. 2-4 people per trip. |
|
Includes: meals, tents, mules and guide. |
|
Children are 1/2 price. |
|
|
25%
Deposit due to book a trip.