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The Bitterroot Valley is located in southwestern Montana. It extends over 100 miles from remote Horse Creek Pass north
to a point near the city of Missoula. To the west is the Bitterroot Range and the large Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area,
and to the east is the smaller Sapphire Mountains and the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Area.
The southern end of the valley is split into the East and West Forks, and the northern end drains into the Clark Fork River. Connecting with the west side of the valley are numerous deeply-carved granite canyons, including scenic Blodgett Canyon and the valley formed by Lolo Creek. Highway 93 runs through the center of the valley, exiting to the south over Lost Trail Pass.
Historically, the valley was the long-term home of the Salish tribe of the Flathead nation. In early September of 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition crossed Lost Trail Pass from present-day Idaho in order to connect with the overland route through the Rocky Mountains. Passing down Camp Creek and the East Fork, they followed the Bitterroot River northward to the point where it connects with the Nez Perce Trail and Lolo Creek. Before continuing their difficult journey to the west, they named their camp Traveler's Rest. Returning to this site in early July of the following year, they split their Corps of Discovery, furthering their explorations both to the northeast (Lewis) and to the south (Clark).
The first white settlement in the valley was the founding in 1841 of St. Mary's Mission, near present-day Stevensville, by Father DeSmet. Fort Owen was established nearby in 1850, and difficult relations occurred between the white settlers and the Salish until 1891, when the native tribes were relocated to the north. In 1877 Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce tribe passed south through the Bitterroot Valley, fleeing the U.S. Army. They exited the East Fork via Gibbons Pass, near where they fought at the Battle of the Big Hole.
Settlement has continued since that time. The population of Ravalli County in the 2000 census was 36,070. The major industries are ranching, agriculture, forestry, and tourism.
The MLS Property Information displayed on this site was abstracted from the MOR MLS Share Program of the Missoula Organization of REALTORS®, Inc. Multiple Listing Service and does not contain all of the information available at the source site. Please request further information when considering these properties. All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. All properties are subject to prior sale, change, or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) nor Eickert Realty shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints, and shall be held harmless. ©2008 Missoula Organization of REALTORS®, Inc. All rights reserved.
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