Quick Tips
- GPS and topo maps useful
- Great trout fishing in Rock Creek
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 130"-140" | 150"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | N/A | 120"+ |
| Elk | 260"-310" | 330"+ |
On The Ground
This district sits in portions of Granite and Missoula Counties and has it beginning at Skalkaho Pass along Montana Route 38 then heads north following the Sapphire Mountains. Thousands of acres of public lands are provided by Lolo and Deerlodge National Forest, BLM and hundreds of acres on Bohrnsen Ranch and Black Pine Ridge Block Management Areas. Mule deer, elk and whitetail deer are found within the National Forest and Block Management Areas.
Whitetails like the river and creeks bottoms made up of Upper Willow, Ranch and Rock Creeks. The mature bucks have home ranges and core areas that they use on a daily basis. Scout looking for heavy cover, travel corridors and feeding areas then be patient. Bulls like isolated places that provide cool cover, ample water and large amounts of forage.
Terrain
Major drainages carrying snowmelt and summer rains off the Sapphire Range from 8,000 foot plus peaks. Some of the ridges that cut across the lower elevations are Butte Cabin, Big Hogback and Sandstone. A number of gulches break up the landscape. Combined these peaks, ridges and gulches make travel difficult throughout the district.
Roughly 296 square miles
89.2% public land
Elevations from 5,000-8,400 feet
Vegetation
On the higher elevations are densely timbered slopes supporting stands of ponderosa and lodgepole pine, Douglas fir and spruce broken up by open grassy meadows. In lower elevations clusters of mountain mahogany, other mountain shrubs and groves of aspens cover ridges, foothills and gulches. Cottonwoods and willows can be found along creek bottoms near the valley floor, along with large meadows of grass and wildflowers along with sagebrush.
Access
A good system of roads and trails are provided by Lolo and Deerlodge National Forest. Forest Service roads reach many of the ridges, peaks and drainages. Forest Service pack trails follow drainages and gulches to higher elevations on the Sapphire Range. Years of logging established an extensive road system in the Sapphires. The more heavily used roads are on the western slopes. Care should be taken during late October and into November as secondary roads can become muddy and rutted during period’s heavy rains or snow.
Camping and Lodging
Lolo and Deerlodge National Forest restrict camping in one location to 14 accumulated days. Phippsburg, Anaconda and Hamilton are the nearest towns providing a variety of services that include cafes, motels, medical and gas and diesel.
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