Quick Tips
- Late in the season roads can become very snow packed -tire chains are recommended
- GPS with landowner overlay
- Allow plenty of time to hunt the district
On The Ground
East Fork Bitterroot sits north and west of the Continental Divide and includes portions of Bitterroot National Forest, Sula State Forest and Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness all providing thousands of acres of public lands. Mountain passes crosses by major highways include Skalkaho Pass in the north and Chief Joseph Pass in the south. Resident only draw for limited license antlered bull.
Bulls might be found anywhere in the district. A 168” Boone and Crockett bulls was harvested in 2004 but no other bulls have been entered into the record book before or since. Breeding season gives tag holders an opportunity to hunt during the rut. Scout in early September looking for areas frequented by cows. Come season bulls will be looking for these same cows to pass on their genes. Note; much of the land along the Bitterroot is private so ask for permission to access early in the year.
Terrain
Sapphire Range on the eastern edge joins the Anaconda Range near West Pintler Peak sitting on the Continental Divide. Rugged talus slopes reach peaks climbing upwards to above 10,000 feet. Many alpine basins and lakes are scattered above timberline. Major drainages; East Bitterroot, Rye and Sleeping Child Creeks have their headwaters in both ranges and flow through glacier shaped valleys towards Bitterroot River and Valley.
Roughly 664 square miles
85% public land
Elevations from 4,300–10,000 feet
Vegetation
Sagebrush and willow flats can be found in the lower elevations along the East Fork Bitterroot. From the River valleys the foothills have grassy meadows, groves of aspen, ponderosa and lodgepole pine and mountain shrubs. Higher elevations support dense stands of spruce, fir, pine and small open parks. In alpine basin broad meadows are covered with wildflowers with some barren ground willows near streams. Moss and lichens are on the bare talus slopes coming off mountain peaks.
Access
Good to excellent Forest Service road system connects to the wilderness via a number of established trailheads providing over 45 miles of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail follows the divide from the northern portion until it reaches Chief Joseph Pass. Major highways consist of Montana Routes 39, 38, 43 and 93. Route 39 travels along the northern edge 38, Route 43 leads to the southwest corner and Route 93 creates the western boundary. Four-wheel drive and chains recommended during periods of heavy snow.
Motorized vehicles are not permitted in wilderness areas
Camping and Lodging
Bitterroot/Deerlodge National Forest and Anaconda Pintler Wilderness allow camping for up to 14 days in one location. Small communities are Wisdom, Sula, Connor, Darby offering limited lodging, cafés and gas and diesel. Hamilton, north of Montana Route 38 provides a variety of motels, restaurants and café, medical facilities, a sporting goods store, and 24/7 gas and diesel.
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