Figure 5. Recreation in Our Forests 



Miintdn.i Department of Commerce 



Skiers have a choice of a number of ski 

 areas, from Big Mountain north of White- 

 fish to Showdown near Neihart, and 

 Bridger Bowl near Bozeman. Cross-coun- 

 try skiing is popular in many forests, and 

 there are specially marked trails for snow- 

 mobiling, too. 



Water sports are popular in many places 

 in Montana's forests. Swimmers can enjoy 

 hot springs like those located at Chico, 

 near Pray on the edge of Yellowstone Park, 

 and Lolo, southwest of Missoula. Flathead 

 Lake, surrounded by wooded hills, is a fa- 

 vorite spot not only for swimming, but for 

 sailing as well. 



Hikers, backpackers, and photographers 

 might prefer to head for one of Montana's 

 eleven wilderness areas; all are in national 

 forests. Remarkable for their rugged 

 beauty, their remoteness, and the variety 

 of wildlife they hold, they appeal to people 

 who want challenge, solitude, and inspira- 

 tion. 



Wildlife Habitat 



Montana has almost nine million acres of 

 publicly-owned wildland, and most of it is 



forested. The terrain is often extremely 

 rugged, with steep slopes and rocky out- 

 crops. Numerous high mountain lakes are 

 scattered in the hollows between the 

 peaks; lively small torrents rush along the 

 drainages, and meandering, willow-fringed 

 creeks run through the mountain 

 meadows. 



Bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain 

 goats range from 5,000 feet to above tim- 

 berline, where the wind keeps the alpine 

 grasses clear of snow. Elk, deer, and the 

 larger carnivores, grizzly bear, black bear, 

 and mountain lion live in the forests and 

 forest edges, moving into the upland parks 

 after food, and retreating into the woods 

 for shelter. Falcon, eagle, and owl live and 

 hunt on the forest edges (figure 6). and 

 moose browse on willows in the 

 marshlands and along the creeks. 



Game fish such as brown trout and Dolly 

 Varden inhabit the cold, fast-moving wa- 

 ters. And in the alder, cottonwood, and 

 quaking aspen groves, the beaver builds 

 dams and stores food for the time when ice 

 covers its ponds. 



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