Bitterroot Range, Mountain range in Montana and Idaho, United States.
The Bitterroot Range is a mountain range straddling the Idaho-Montana border, stretching for hundreds of kilometers with numerous peaks rising several thousand meters high. The ridge forms a distinctive spine across this portion of the Rocky Mountain system.
The range presented an obstacle to early westward explorers who sought passages through its peaks during the 1800s. Mountain passes eventually became established routes for travelers crossing the Continental Divide.
Native American tribes of the region utilized the mountain range for hunting activities and established spiritual connections with the surrounding landscapes.
Access to the range is available from multiple trailheads on both the Montana and Idaho sides, with the hiking season varying by elevation and weather. Planning ahead for changing mountain conditions and water availability along trails is essential for a safe visit.
The range divides two major river systems, with water flowing toward the Columbia River on one side and the Missouri River on the other. This watershed divide shapes drainage patterns across a vast region.
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