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 untrampeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.

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.

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 west. 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.

During our pack trip season, June-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.

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.

Tom is a Master in Leave No Trace