Overview map of the sw montana ranges
Southwest Montana is a large area many people would consider part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. There are well over a dozen different individual mountain ranges throughout SW Montana, all of which have their own appeals and distinct scenery, geology, and wildlife. The map below outlines the major ranges in this beautiful region of the country.
Bridger RangeThe Bridger Range is located north of Bozeman, Montana. It's a north to south oriented range and known for its steep limestone slabs rising straight out of the ground on the eastern flank of the higher peaks. The link above takes you to a fantastic page about this range.
Madison RangeThe Madison Range is located southwest of Bozeman and is another north to south oriented range with a handful of peaks breaking 11,000 feet in elevation. It's a majestic and rugged line of peaks running north to south between US Highways 191 and 287. The western slopes drop steeply into the Madison River valley and striking peaks like Sphinx, Kock, Imp, and Hilgard give this range a rugged appeal from the west. Steeply dipping limestone fins and cliffs jut high above the lower forested slopes on the west side. From the east however, more gentle slopes ascend from Big Sky and other valleys along Highway 191 further south. This is a beautiful area to find some solitude as fewer people venture into this more remote part of the state. The northern group of peaks between Big Sky and the Gallatin Valley are often referred to the panish Peaks, where Gallatin Peak is located. The group of mountains west of Hebgen Lake is often separated into the Henry's Lake Range, but are usually grouped in with the Madison Range.
montana absaroka RangeEncompassing the part of the Absaroka Mountains between the Boulder River and the Yellowstone River, this group of mountains has a storied past regarding their name. Geologically they are more similar to the Beartooth Range, with granitic peaks as opposed to the decomposing volcanics found in the Wyoming Absaroka Mountains. The consensus has been to name this group of peaks the Montana Absarokas, not to be confused with the Western Beartooths, which includes the peaks between the Stillwater and Boulder Rivers. Big striking peaks like Cowen, Black and Emigrant dominate the mountains in this area.
Pioneer MountainsAnaconda/pintler range |
Crazy MountainsThe Crazy Mountains are another north-south oriented range located about 50 miles east of the Bridger Range. Heading east on I-90 from Bozeman you can look north near Livingston and see these peaks. Crazy Peak is the highest peak here and offers some good steep snow climbing routes and ski descents.
tobacco root mountainsThis small mountain range is located just northwest of the Madison Range and are the ones you see as you drive east on I-90 after crossing Homestake Pass just east of the city of Butte. Bounded by the Madison and Jefferson River valleys, this range boasts a lot of relief. At 10,604 feet, Hollowtop Mountain is the highest point here, but the hiking is superb throughout the range. The origin of the name "Tobacco Root" isn't well known but the natives in the area may have grown tobacco in the valleys surrounding the range. Extending to the south side of MT Highway 287 beyond Virginia City, the range changes name to the Gravelly Range, however geologically they are very similar and arguably the same. The Gravelly Range further south is however characteristically lower in elevation.
Gallatin RangeThe Gallatin Range is a long prominent north-south oriented range running from Bozeman down to Mount Holmes in the northwest corner of Yellowstone. Bounded by Highways 191 in the west and 89 to the east, this range, while not as high as the Madison Range just to the west, is spread out over a slightly larger area. Gallatin Peak, oddly enough is not in the Gallatin Range which has confused many new hikers in the Bozeman area. The famous Hyalite Canyon and ice climbing arena lies in the heart of the Gallatin Range. While the southern end of the range dips into Wyoming, most of the range lies in Montana
Snowcrest rangeblacktail mountains |
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