Mission Mountains
The Mission Mountain Range serves as the entrance to the Mission Mountain Wilderness Area, spanning 73,877 acres and offering a haven for hiking, camping, and fishing enthusiasts. Renowned for its breathtaking scenery, the area boasts rugged, snow-capped peaks, numerous small glaciers, alpine lakes, meadows, and crystal-clear streams. Often referred to as the American Alps, the imposing western facade of the Missions rises nearly 7,000 feet above the valley floor. At the pinnacle of the range stands the glacier-draped McDonald Peak, towering at 9,280 feet in the rugged southern region, surrounded by a dozen other summits exceeding 9,000 feet. These peaks are adorned with permanent snow fields, nourishing countless jewel-like tarns, forming one of the densest clusters of alpine lakes in the Northern Rockies. Waterfalls abound, including the notable 1,000-foot cascades of Elizabeth and Mission Falls.
In 1979, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes set aside 89,500 acres of privately owned tribal lands on the western slopes as Wilderness, marking the sole Tribal Wilderness in the nation established by the tribe itself. As articulated by the Mission Mountains Committee, these mountains are held sacred, belonging not only to the present generation but also to future ones. The management of the west side Tribal Wilderness prioritizes wildlife conservation. During summers, grizzly bears congregate on the snow fields of McDonald Peak to feast on cutworm moths and ladybugs. To minimize disturbance to these majestic creatures, the tribe restricts public access to approximately 12,000 acres from mid-July to October, forming part of a larger trail-less area aimed at deterring human intrusion into critical grizzly bear habitat.
Non-tribal visitors aged between 18 and 64 are required to obtain and carry a tribal recreation permit to engage in activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping within the Wilderness and other open lands of the Flathead Reservation. These permits are obtainable at various stores in and around reservation communities like Missoula, Kalispell, Seeley Lake, and Thompson Falls. Despite the permit system, tribal authorities emphasize education over strict enforcement of regulations. By fostering an understanding of the importance of practices such as leave-no-trace camping and respecting grizzly bear closures near McDonald Peak, they aim to minimize compliance issues.
The Mission Mountain Range serves as the entrance to the Mission Mountain Wilderness Area, spanning 73,877 acres and offering a haven for hiking, camping, and fishing enthusiasts. Renowned for its breathtaking scenery, the area boasts rugged, snow-capped peaks, numerous small glaciers, alpine lakes, meadows, and crystal-clear streams. Often referred to as the American Alps, the imposing western facade of the Missions rises nearly 7,000 feet above the valley floor. At the pinnacle of the range stands the glacier-draped McDonald Peak, towering at 9,280 feet in the rugged southern region, surrounded by a dozen other summits exceeding 9,000 feet. These peaks are adorned with permanent snow fields, nourishing countless jewel-like tarns, forming one of the densest clusters of alpine lakes in the Northern Rockies. Waterfalls abound, including the notable 1,000-foot cascades of Elizabeth and Mission Falls.
In 1979, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes set aside 89,500 acres of privately owned tribal lands on the western slopes as Wilderness, marking the sole Tribal Wilderness in the nation established by the tribe itself. As articulated by the Mission Mountains Committee, these mountains are held sacred, belonging not only to the present generation but also to future ones. The management of the west side Tribal Wilderness prioritizes wildlife conservation. During summers, grizzly bears congregate on the snow fields of McDonald Peak to feast on cutworm moths and ladybugs. To minimize disturbance to these majestic creatures, the tribe restricts public access to approximately 12,000 acres from mid-July to October, forming part of a larger trail-less area aimed at deterring human intrusion into critical grizzly bear habitat.
Non-tribal visitors aged between 18 and 64 are required to obtain and carry a tribal recreation permit to engage in activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping within the Wilderness and other open lands of the Flathead Reservation. These permits are obtainable at various stores in and around reservation communities like Missoula, Kalispell, Seeley Lake, and Thompson Falls. Despite the permit system, tribal authorities emphasize education over strict enforcement of regulations. By fostering an understanding of the importance of practices such as leave-no-trace camping and respecting grizzly bear closures near McDonald Peak, they aim to minimize compliance issues.
