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Big Belt Mountains

Coordinates: 46°27.25′N 111°15.9′W / 46.45417°N 111.2650°W / 46.45417; -111.2650
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Big Belt Mountains
Mt. Baldy and the Big Belt range near Townsend, Montana
Highest point
PeakMount Edith
Elevation9,504 ft (2,897 m)
Dimensions
Length75 mi (121 km)
Geography
CountryUnited States
RegionMontana
Range coordinates46°27.25′N 111°15.9′W / 46.45417°N 111.2650°W / 46.45417; -111.2650
Parent rangeRocky Mountains

The Big Belt Mountains are a section of the Rocky Mountains in the U.S. state of Montana. Situated mainly in the Helena National Forest, the mountains are used for logging and recreation for the surrounding residents. Nearby are the cities of Helena, Townsend, and White Sulphur Springs, as well as Canyon Ferry Lake and the Missouri River. The highest point in the Big Belt Range is Mount Edith at 9,504 feet (2,897 m), while the center of the range is 7,385 feet (2,251 m).[1]

The Big Belts lie primarily between the Missouri River drainage to the west and the Smith River drainage to the east. They are traversed by U.S. Highway 12 between Townsend in the Missouri drainage, and White Sulphur Springs in the upper Smith River drainage.[2]

The gulches on the western slopes of the Big Belts were noted historically for rich gold placer strikes. The richest were the 1864 and 1865 placer gold strikes in Confederate Gulch, including Montana Bar, which was one of the most concentrated gold placer strikes ever made.[3]

The range takes its name from the fact it is situated in a long belt-like arc. It stretches 75 miles (121 km), making it a mid-length subrange of the Rocky Mountains. To the east are the Little Belts and to the south, somewhat continuing this arc, is the Bridger Range.

The Belt Supergroup series of rocks, which are primarily Precambrian mudstones, were named after this mountain range and the adjacent Little Belt Mountains. A particularly well-known example of exposed Belt Group mudstones in alternating purplish-red or pale bluish-green layers in the Big Belt Mountains is in Wolf Creek Canyon along Interstate 15 between Helena and Great Falls. While these rocks were named after these ranges of western-central Montana, and are found in them, they are more exposed and better known in northwestern Montana, northern Idaho, and southeastern British Columbia, namely around Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park.

  • The "Sleeping Giant" mountain formation, on the western edge of the Big Belts, part of the Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area
    The "Sleeping Giant" mountain formation, on the western edge of the Big Belts, part of the Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area
  • The Big Belts in late fall as viewed northeast of Helena
    The Big Belts in late fall as viewed northeast of Helena
  • Wall Mountain, southeast face of Big Belt Mountains
    Wall Mountain, southeast face of Big Belt Mountains
  • Sixmile Mountain from 16 Mile Creek
    Sixmile Mountain from 16 Mile Creek
  • South face of Big Belt Mountains, from Dry Creek Road south of Maudlow
    South face of Big Belt Mountains, from Dry Creek Road south of Maudlow

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Big Belt Mountains". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ Montana Atlas and Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. 2007. pp. 41–41, 56–57. ISBN 9780899333397.
  3. ^ Cushman, Dan (1973). The Gold Frontier. Stay Away Joe Publishers. pp. 172–179. ISBN 978-0911436037.
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