Most of the creek travels through private lands but the headwater areas are on the Custer Gallatin National Forest National Forest. Located far beyond the powerlines of the nearby city of Anaconda, this off-the-beaten-path lodge is run entirely on solar power. Other Ranges: To go to pages for other ranges either click on the map above, or on range names in the hierarchy snapshot below, which show the parent, siblings, and children of the Big Snowy Mountains. fax: 406.443.0750 Lewistown, MT Their uniqueness makes them irreplaceable, even in a place with so many amazing mountains. But if you can’t make it to Lewistown anytime soon, these Montana backroads are also perfect for a nice rural drive. Tell us! So it’s perhaps not surprising that, of all the hunters looking for ways to access portions of the nearby Big Snowy Mountains isolated by surrounding private land, it was Kepler who figured out a way to open up 18,000 acres of prime elk country to himself. The proposed Big Snowy Mountains game range abuts more than 100,000 acres of public land with very little public access to it, including two wilderness study areas. The Tobacco Root Mountains are often overlooked when it comes to backcountry adventures. If I draw the 900-20 archery tag I will be researching this unit more and possibly the Highwood Mountains range. Far to the north, the isolated cones of the Sweet Grass Hills lie just a few miles from the Canadian line, and in the opposite direction the great Absaroka-Beartooth ranges straddle the Wyoming border to the south. 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The Big Snowy Mountains are part of the Helena – Lewis & Clark National Forest and are one of the “Island” mountain ranges that are scattered in Central Montana. That it’s a vast mountain landscape located in the middle of Montana’s plains makes it a huge boon to area residents, providing prairie dwellers the chance to climb, hike, fish, and camp in the high country following a fairly short drive. All content © 2020 Montana Wilderness Association | Designed by Six Pony Hitch, Montana Wilderness Association - montana wilderness association, montana wilderness, montana hunting, montana public lands, hiking montana, best hike montana, protect public lands montana, The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project, The Yaak, Scotchman Peaks, and Cabinet Mountains. The spectacular Little Snowy Mountain Ranch, located in Fergus County, Montana, consists of 5,710+/- total deeded acres. In early December, I stood on a limestone bluff above a timbered gulch in the Big Snowy Mountains Wilderness Study Area, 91,000 acres of the wildest land left in Montana. But hiking is not everyone’s cup of tea, and luckily, there are plenty of back roads and byways that show off our mountainous scenery. A short, easy scramble into the mouth of the cave reveals these formations and provides a pleasant break on a hot summer day. Pause to gawk a while, then head west where you’ll pass across open ridge tops and stands of timber until you reach the ice caves trail. View maps, videos, photos, and reviews of Big Snowy Mountains Loop bike trail in Lewistown. 19.6 mi 31.6 km #1 Uhlhorn Trail #493. I assume that 8x8 elk was taking in the BLM at the far west side of the Big Snowy's. From the sinuous ridgeline running roughly east to west along the range’s great spine, you can see perhaps more of Montana than from any other point. HD 511 - South Big Snowy Mountains Elk Hunting in Montana HD 511 - South Big Snowy Mountains Those portions of Wheatland, Fergus, and Golden Valley Counties lying within the following-described boundary: Beginning at Harlowton, then northerly along US Highway 191 to its junction with Meadow Creek near Garneil, then northeasterly along Meadow Cree For example, the Big Snowy Mountains Backcountry Drive takes you along the eastern and southern base of the Big Snowy Mountains, almost entirely by a gravel road. ORGANIZED CONTROL!!! Twenty-one years as a U.S. Army pilot will do that to a fellow. Although the drive itself isn’t the most scenic of drives in Montana, the views at Crystal Lake more than make up for the average views seen along the rest of the route. Today, large ranches maintain the open character of the area. Located 15 miles southeast of Lewistown, MT, it is one of the most unique and diverse properties on the market. Irwin Allen ranched along the southern base of the Big Snowy Mountains all of his life. If I draw the 900-20 archery tag I will be researching this unit more and possibly the Highwood Mountains range. Could anybody help an old guy out on The Big Snowy. The Snowy Mountain Range lies in the 511 Hunting District to the South West, the 530 to the South East and the 411 to the North. TRIPLE D DOES DO DAMAGE !!! The Little Snowy Mountain range has a rich cultural history, beginning with first peoples then homesteading. By Montana Grant. I'm 66 for Nebraska farm country with 2 great mules looking at the Snowys or any other good area with Good elk numbers. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until September. Pine Grove Cemetery continues to be the final resting place for early Euro-American occupants. Congratulations from the MORS crew! The porous limestone of the Snowies leaves them pocked with many small caves, and the combination of flowing water and cool temperatures in this particular pocket of stone means it holds spectacular ice formations year ’round. Northwestern Montana; Lewis and Clark National Forest; Big Snowy Mountains; Local tips or suggestions? Lewistown, MT From the Crystal Lake campground, it’s a five-mile walk gaining 2,200 feet in elevation. The Big Snowy mountains rise only 700-800m above the surrounding high valley plateau. Helena, MT 59601, ph: 406.443.7350 Email MWA. So we might be forgiven for overlooking some of our lesser-known summits and ranges. Big Snowy Mountains Loop is a singletrack mountain bike trail in Lewistown, Montana. Nearly all the other island ranges of Montana’s plains are visible as well – the Crazies, Castles, Big and Little Belts, Highwoods, Bears Paws, and others all float shimmering on the horizon on a warm summer day. Through the 1990’s their commitment was to produce the highest quality RVs at a reasonable price. Regardless it looks like there is some good genes in the area along with some favorable terrain to hunt in. View north from West Peak in the Big Snowy Mountains (photo by Dexter Hale). Big mistake. Plus, they're simply stunning to look at, even from a distance. Three sections of Lewis and Clark National Forest are shown on the map; the largest section is the Big Snowy Mountains with the campground marked;hiking, camping, fishing, and boating at Crystal Lake. Snowy Mountain Camper began in 1960 when Don and Kay Pegg built their first pickup camper in Lewistown Montana. T he Big Snowy Mountains wilderness study area in Montana represents 91,000 acres of the wildest land left in America. And because the Snowies are an island range, they rise like a huge, broad dome above the central plains around them. It’s a 22-mile drive from the highway into the trailhead at Crystal Lake. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: The Big Snowies, as they're called, contain some of the last intact wildlands in central Montana. Public and Private Land Ownership Maps - Big Snowy Mountains, Montana Public Land Ownership Map. Montana has around 100 named mountain ranges, which means we have an abundance of mountain hikes in the Treasure State. And since you'll be driving by the eastern and southern base of the Big Snowy Mountains, the views will be spectacular the entire time. From Lewistown, you'll head south on Montana Highway 238, also known as East Fork Road. Entrance to the ice caves in the Big Snowy Mountains Above: View of the Big Snowy Mountains from the highway south of Lewistown. Elk Jalapeno Poppers by Eva Shockey . I've hunted in Montana many years but never in any of these units. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is working with two landowners on the south side of the Big Snowy Mountains in Golden Valley County to create a 14,000-acre WMA. The geographic area includes both the Big and Little Snowy Mountain ranges. As you’d expect with a limited draw area, some awesome bulls come from these hunting districts. I drew a 900-20 elk tag an I am looking for some help/advice. Most of the creek travels through private lands but the headwater areas are on the Custer Gallatin National Forest National Forest. Love Montana? You Might Also Like. Map Key Favorites Check-Ins. The Big Snowies lie smack-dab in the heart of the Treasure State, just south of its geographic center in Lewistown. Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State. As Montanans, we’re spoiled. The Big Snowy Mountains Backcountry Drive is a seventy-seven mile route that travels along the eastern and southern base of the Big Snowy Mountains in Central Montana. No water along trail. There are 7 hard trails in Big Snowy Mountains Wilderness Study Area ranging from 7.8 to 19.7 miles and from 5,039 to 8,592 feet above sea level. ... Big Snowy Mountains Crest Via Crystal Lake. Hello fellow hunters! The Snowy Mountain Range lies in the 511 Hunting District to the South West, the 530 to the South East and the 411 to the North. The area that they hunted is at the foothills of the Snowy Mountains in Central Montana. The mountains are south of Lewistown, MT and offer camping, fishing, hiking and backpacking. (photo by Sadie Rae Russell), Seasons: Fall / Summer Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. A just reward for the hike in. Amy and I left Helena at 6 am, drove 210 miles to the trailhead at Crystal Lake, and started hiking at 10 am. The Big Snowy mountains rise only 700-800m above the surrounding high valley plateau. We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. Running east out of the mountains, the creek gradually turns southward and flows into the Yellowstone River just east of Big Timber. Facebook HD 411 - Snowy Mountains Elk Hunting in Montana HD 411 - Snowy Mountains Those portions of Golden Valley, Fergus and Judith Basin Counties lying within the following-described boundary: Beginning at Lewistown, then east on State Highway 200 to Winnett, then southwesterly on the Winnett to Roundup Road (FAS244) to its junction Intermediate. Big Spring Water is collected directly from beneath the beautiful Big Snowy Mountains at the heart of Montana. By Montana Grant. They contain some of the last intact wildlands in central Montana, and as such represent a tremendous opportunity for wilderness lovers now and forever. It's then you'll begin to wander through a small valley while paralleling the East Fork Big Springs Creek. The route, which follows primarily gravel roads, runs between Lewistown and Judith Gap. The Big Snowy Mountains are a mountain range that sits south of Lewistown in Fergus County. Elk Jalapeno Poppers by Eva Shockey . Public and Private Land Ownership Maps - Big Snowy Mountains, Montana Public Land Ownership Map. The ranch headquarters lie in a very private yet scenic location about 27 miles south of Lewistown, Montana and 22 miles east of Judith Gap. This drive is extremely remote, and you won’t see much traffic on the route. The Crystal Lake Scenic Drive is a twenty-four mile route that leads to the clear waters of Crystal Lake, a mountain lake tucked away deep in the Big Snowy Mountains of Central Montana. More than 7,200 elk were counted in the area last spring, most of … Click Here for a Full Screen Map. By angelamontana. The ranch headquarters lie in a very private yet scenic location about 27 miles south of Lewistown, Montana and 22 miles east of Judith Gap. I'm planning a bachelor party trip with some friends in the Big Snowy Mountains in Montana this coming spring, 2019. The maps depict public land ownership and several categories of land management: The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until September. The landscape is more arid than most in Montana, which makes for open, panoramic views. You'll be surrounded by plains and rural beauty with the Big Snowy Mountains in the background. After all, when the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge penned his most famous work, he might well have been thinking of the Big Snowies: “a miracle of rare device, a sunny pleasure-dome with caves of ice!”, – Eric Heidle, southwest wildlands chapter, 80 S. Warren The Big Snowy Mountains are one of the small ranges that dot central Montana. ... Zoom in to see details. Plus, they're simply stunning to look at, even from a distance. The second generation has reintroduced Snowy Mountain Campers with new designs and modern concepts. These maps are produced by the Geographic Information Program of the Montana State Library from its Public Land Ownership database. Elevation Gain (ft.): 2,200 I'm 66 for Nebraska farm country with 2 great mules looking at the Snowys or any other good area with Good elk numbers. Intermediate. Uhlhorn Trail #493 is a 18.6 mile lightly trafficked point-to-point trail located near Lewistown, Montana that features a lake and is rated as difficult. It sits in the middle of one of Montana’s largest elk herds – one that’s nine times over the objective population in which state biologists are struggling to bring down because of limited public hunting access. The view alone should make the Snowies worth your time, but there’s so much more to them. 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