Absaroka–Beartooth Wilderness
Absaroka–Beartooth Wilderness was created from existing National Forest lands in 1978 and is located in Montana and Wyoming, United States. The wilderness encompasses two distinct mountain ranges: the Beartooth and Absaroka ranges. These ranges are completely distinct geologically speaking, with the Absaroka (/əbzɔːrˈkəz/) composed primarily of volcanic (or extrusive) and metamorphic rock, while the Beartooth is made up almost entirely of granitic rocks. The Absaroka are noted for their dark and craggy appearance, lush and heavily forested valleys, and abundant wildlife. The highest peak in the range, in Wyoming, is Francs Peak at 13,153 feet (4,009 m). The Beartooth is more alpine, with huge treeless plateaus and the highest peak of Montana (Granite Peak 12,799 feet (3,901 m)). The wilderness has more than 120 peaks over 10,000 feet (3,000 m) and 28 peaks over 12,000 feet (3,700 m), including Montana's highest, Granite Peak at 12,799 feet (3,901 m). The wilderness is integral to the 20-million-acre (81,000 km2) Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and borders Yellowstone National Park.
| Absaroka–Beartooth Wilderness | |
|---|---|
IUCN category Ib (wilderness area) | |
| Location | Montana / Wyoming, USA |
| Nearest city | Red Lodge, MT |
| Coordinates | 45°6′N 109°56′W |
| Area | 944,000 acres (3,820 km2) |
| Established | 1978 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
Wilderness areas do not allow motorized or mechanical equipment, including bicycles, hang-gliders, wagons, chainsaws, and game carts. Although camping and fishing are allowed with proper permits, no roads or buildings are constructed, and no logging or mining, in compliance with the 1964 Wilderness Act. Wilderness areas within National Forests and Bureau of Land Management areas also allow hunting in season.
There are 700 miles (1,100 km) of trails in the wilderness, hundreds of lakes, a few dozen streams, and a similar number of small glaciers can be found in the wilderness. The forests are dominated by various species of spruce, fir, and pine, while in the Beartooth Mountains, due to the altitude, tundra conditions often prevail. The Beartooth has the largest unbroken area of land over 10,000 feet (3,000 m) in altitude in the U.S. outside of Alaska. Animals found in the wilderness include bald eagles, Yellowstone cutthroat trout, threatened grizzly bears, lynx, and the gray wolf.
Access to the wilderness is difficult but can be achieved via the Beartooth Highway US 212 from Red Lodge, Montana. There are also some forest access roads from the west off of US 89 south of Livingston, Montana.