This district is southeast of Missoula, in western Montana, and is home to a healthy and thriving population of moose. Lolo National Forest includes 28,000 acres of prime habitat. Welcome Creek Wilderness (wildlife preserve) in the Rock Creek drainage, along with thousands of acres of public lands in Deerlodge National Forest make for endless hunting options.

Great bulls have been taken throughout this district, primarily in the Rock Creek drainage and it's tributaries.

Snowmelt, from Sapphire and John Long Mountain Ranges, helps create the pristine Rock Creek drainage. The majority of the area consists of steep, rocky mountain slopes with narrow valleys. Phippsburg Valley is one exception as it is about eleven miles long and two miles wide, and supports agricultural commerce.

Densely timbered slopes support stands of ponderosa, lodgepole, douglas fir and spruce, with some open grassy meadows on south facing slopes. Cottonwoods and willows can be found along creek bottoms at lower elevations along with large meadows of grass, wildflowers and sagebrush. Foothills have ridges with mountain shrubs and some groves of alder.

Well maintained Montana county and Forest Service roads provide good access to trailheads. While the days of late September and early October can be mild and dry, things can change rapidly later in the fall. Be prepared for heavy snow anytime by having a four-wheel drive, chains and/or winch.

Welcome Creek Wilderness, Lolo and Deerlodge National Forest restrict camping in one location to 14 accumulated days. Phippsburg and Anaconda offer limited choices in motels, restaurants, medical care, and gas and diesel. Missoula, home of the University of Montana, has a wide choice of lodging, cafés and restaurants, and also has a regional medical facility and airport. 24/7 gas and diesel are also available in Missoula.