|
||||
|
|
The Mission Mountain Range:
Related Links:
General Information:
The Mission Mountain Range is the gateway to the Mission
Mountain Wilderness Area, a 73,877-acre paradise for hiking, camping and
fishing. An area of outstanding scenic beauty--rugged, snowcapped peaks, several
small glaciers, alpine lakes, meadows and clear cold streams. Popularly known as
the American Alps, the overpowering western face of the Missions pierces the sky
almost 7000 feet above the valley floor. The apex of the range is a
glacier-studded 9820-foot McDonald Peak in the rugged south, where a dozen other
summits rise above 9000 feet. Permanent snow fields feed hundreds of gem-like
tarns (glacier formed lakes) in one of the highest densities of alpine lakes in
the Northern Rockies. Waterfalls are abundant, with the best known being the
1000-foot plunges of Elizabeth and Mission Falls.
In 1979 the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes designated 89,500 acres of
privately owned tribal lands along the western slopes as Wilderness. This is the
only Tribal Wilderness in the nation to be established by the actual tribe. In
the words of the Mission Mountains Committee: ‘These mountains belong to our
children, and when our children grow old they will belong to their children. In
this way and for this reason these mountain are sacred.'
The west side Tribal Wilderness is managed with a priority for wildlife. Each
summer grizzlies gather on the snow fields of McDonald Peak to feast on swarms
of cutworm moths and ladybugs. In order to avoid displacing these great bears,
the tribe closes about 12,000 acres to all public use from mid-July to October,
The closed area is part of a larger trail less region that serves to discourage
humans from entering the grizzly's home during a critical time.
If you are not a tribal member, and are between the ages of 18 and 64, you must
obtain and carry a tribal recreation permit, which entitles you to hike, fish,
camp and enjoy the Wilderness as well as other Flathead Reservation lands that
are open to recreation. The permits are available at a number of stores within
and near the reservation communities of Missoula, Kalispell, Seeley Lake, and
Thompson Falls. Despite the permits, tribal managers downplay regulations in
favor of education. If people understand the need for no-trace camping and
grizzly bear closures around McDonald Peak, enforcement problems will be
minimal.
Along with the distinguished grizzly bear population, mountain goats, black
bears, elk, mule deer, and white-tailed deer are also found in the Wilderness.
Some mountain lions, martens, minks, bobcats, lynx, weasels and wolverines may
be occasionally seen along with many birds, including bald and golden eagles,
common loons, and woodpeckers.
Call Flathead National Forest for camping permit information.
Photographs:
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Increase Size Purchase 8x10 $35.00 |
Increase Size Purchase 8x10 $35.00 |
Increase Size Purchase 8x10 $35.00 |
Increase Size Purchase 8x10 $35.00 |
The Lake County Directory
