Bitterroot Range
The Bitterroot Range is a group of mountains in the northwestern United States that runs along the Montana–Idaho border as part of the Rocky Mountains. It covers about 24,223 square miles (62,740 km2) and gets its name from the bitterroot flower, Montana’s state flower. The highest point is Trapper Peak, at 10,157 feet (3,096 meters).
The range includes several subranges, listed from north to south:
- Coeur d'Alène Mountains (about 2,590 square miles / 6,700 km2); Cherry Peak is the highest at 7,352 feet (2,241 m), and Patricks Knob reaches 6,837 feet (2,084 m).
- Saint Joe Mountains (about 698 square miles / 1,808 km2).
- The Bitterroot Mountains (Northern and Central Bitterroot), the largest part, about 4,862 square miles (12,593 km2); its high point is Trapper Peak.
- Beaverhead Mountains (about 4,532 square miles / 11,738 km2).
- Centennial Mountains (about 2,064 square miles / 5,346 km2), home to Brower’s Spring, found around 8,800 feet (2,680 m) in elevation and linked to the Missouri River’s farthest source.
The Bitterroot Range is bounded by Lolo Creek to the north, the Salmon River to the south, the Bitterroot River and Valley to the east, and the Selway and Lochsa Rivers to the west. The range also includes passes such as Lemhi Pass, Bannock Pass, Big Hole Pass (and Big Hole Pass II), Junction Pass, and Monida Pass.
Historically, the range was a major obstacle for explorers. In 1805–1806, the Lewis and Clark expedition crossed it several times, aided by Sacajawea, as they sought a water route to the Pacific. The Milwaukee Road railroad also crossed the range, making travel and transport possible across the area.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 12:18 (CET).