Lolo Pass is a mountain pass in the western United States on the Idaho-Montana border. It is the highest point on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests’ Lolo Trail, a 110-mile trail that roughly follows the Bitterroot Range between present-day Missoula, Montana, and the Nez Perce National Forest in northern Idaho.
Lolo Pass starts at mile 55 in the Lolo Trail and ends at mile 64. The pass itself is a forested east-west saddle between two ridges of the Bitterroot Range mountain chain at an elevation of 5,233 feet (1,594 m).
The two ridges divide the Clearwater River and Lochsa River watersheds. The pass is named after Pierre Odza Lolo, also known as Old John, a Nez Perce chief who lived in the area during the late 18th century.
The Forest Service maintains a scenic vista of Lolo Pass and six surrounding peaks at the west end of the pass. This vista, which is located along the Lolo Motorway (U. S. Highway 12), is the starting and ending point for several hiking trails that can be used to explore the pass.
Visitors traveling between Montana and Idaho will pass through the summit of Lolo Pass and can take in its scenic beauty.
Can you drive to Lolo Peak?
Yes, you can drive to Lolo Peak. However, Lolo Peak is in the rugged Bitterroot Mountains in western Montana, and the road leading to the summit is only open during the warmer and drier months. The summit can only be accessed by a steep and rocky eight-mile dirt road.
Make sure to check the weather and road conditions before planning your journey, as the steep and windy mountain roads are snow-covered and can be icy during the winter months. It’s also a good idea to bring plenty of extra water, food, fuel and other supplies, as well as a GPS system, in case you get stranded.
If you do decide to take the journey, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Bitterroot Mountains, including the surrounding peaks and valleys.
What is Lolo Montana known for?
Lolo Montana is a small town in the western United States, located in Missoula County, Montana. It is best known for its outdoor recreational opportunities and stunning views of the Bitterroot Mountains and Lolo National Forest.
The area is great for enjoying activities like fly fishing, skiing, hiking, and camping. There are also a number of nearby points of interests for visitors, including Lolo Peak Brewing, Montana Natural History Center, Lolo Hot Springs, and Bull Run Lakes.
The town is renowned for its friendly and rustic atmosphere, with attractions like its historic downtown district and weekly farmers’ markets. The town is rich in historical sites, including the Arch of Lolo, which is believed to have been built by Native Americans centuries ago.
Visitors come from all over to visit the Lolo National Forest and its beautiful lakes, valleys, and wildlife.
Lolo Montana is also recognized for its arts and culture. The PieHole Cafe, Akasha Art Gallery, and Elkhorn Bar & Grill are just a few of the local hotspots for local artists. There are plenty of venues for hosting special events like concerts, theater performances, and dance competitions.
Finally, there are also numerous locally owned shops and restaurants in the area, selling items ranging from antiques to handmade goods and locally produced treats.
Is Lolo MT in the Bitterroot Valley?
No, Lolo, Montana is not located in the Bitterroot Valley. Lolo is an unincorporated community with a population of approximately 1,800 located in Missoula County in western Montana. It lies east of Missoula and 10 miles north of the Idaho border.
The Bitterroot Valley, on the other hand, is a large, geologically-active region located entirely within the state of Montana. It stretches from West Glacierville in the north, to Darby in the south, and is bordered by the Bitterroot Mountains to the east and the Sapphire Mountains to the west.
The area is known for its beautiful mountains, lush forests, and rolling hills. It is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, hunting, skiing, snowmobiling, rafting, and hiking.
How big is the Bitterroot National Forest?
The Bitterroot National Forest spans over 1.6 million acres across Western Montana and Northern Idaho, making it the largest forest in the Northern Rocky Mountains. With forests, fields, and meadows, the area is filled with a variety of landscapes and biodiversity.
The forest is made up of six Ranger Districts, Caribou,chief Joseph, Nez Perce, Ninemile, West Fork and Sula. It is also home to seven Wilderness Areas, the Selway-Bitterroot, Frank Church-River of No Return, Anaconda-Pintler, Cabinet Mountains, and Rattlesnake.
Notable peaks in the area include Trapper Peak, which rises to 10,157 feet, Blodgett Peak, at 10,151 feet, and Trumpeter Peak at 8,537 feet. The Bitterroot National Forest also provides habitat for a plethora of wildlife including elk, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and black bear.
The area also is home to many threatened, endangered and sensitive species.
Is Lolo Pass in Montana open?
Yes, Lolo Pass in Montana is open. Located in the Bitterroot Mountains on the Idaho/Montana border,Lolo Pass is an iconic part of Montana’s scenic beauty. It is a part of the Lolo Trail National Historic Landmark, a path used by Lewis and Clark in their epic cross-country expedition in 1805-06.
During the summer season, visitors can comfortably drive the pass in their vehicles. The pass remains open year-round, with snowfall making the roads hazardous during the winter months. When traveling in the winter, visitors should exercise caution and come prepared with winter road-trip essentials such as a shovel, tire chains, warm clothing, flashlights, and a fully charged cell phone.
Is Hwy 12 Open in Idaho?
Yes, Hwy 12 is open in Idaho. The highway runs along the Snake River for a total of 128 miles. It starts at Lewiston at the Idaho/Washington border, and meanders eastward to Lolo Pass near the Montana border.
This scenic route is full of wildlife, as well as historical sites such as the Lolo Pass Visitor Center and the Nez Perce National Historical Park. The highway is one of only seven hills that still allow travel by automobile across the Rocky Mountains.
Hwy 12 is an important connector in Idaho and offers the traveler a great way to explore some of the state’s beautiful countryside.
What grade is Lolo Pass?
Lolo Pass is a difficult pass to grade, as the area is home to many scenic hikes, biking trails, snowmobile trails, and cross-country ski trails, all of which vary in difficulty level. In general, it can be said that the pass is rated at a moderate to difficult level, leaning towards more difficult.
For hikers, the area is renowned for its steep, narrow trails and rocky terrain, and for bikers, the trails are mostly single-track trails with varying incline levels. For snowmobile riders, the area is suitable for experienced riders as the terrain is fairly challenging with tight twisty trails.
Cross-country skiers can find challenging terrain and amazing views on the way. In general, Lolo Pass is an area suitable for moderately experienced outdoor enthusiasts.
What passes are between Washington and Montana?
There are a variety of passes located between Washington and Montana that can be used when traveling by car, including the Rainy Pass, Loup Loup Pass, Sherman Pass, and Harts Pass.
The Rainy Pass, located at the eastern end of the North Cascades, is the highest pass along the Cascade Loop Scenic Byway between Washington and Montana, reaching an elevation of 4,855 feet. On the west side of the pass, the highway drops steeply towards the Methow Valley and passes the turnoff for the North Cascades National Park.
The Loup Loup Pass is just east of the Cascade Mountains at an elevation of 4,139 feet. This pass is located in the Okanogan National Forest and is popular for camping and fishing.
Sherman Pass is the highest road pass in Washington State, reaching a maximum elevation of 5,575 feet. This pass is located between Colville and Republic, just south of the Canadian border. The road is lined with wildflower meadows in the summertime, inviting drivers to take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
The Harts Pass is located in the northern Cascades near the Canadian border. This pass reaches an elevation of 6,140 feet, making it the highest mountain pass in the state of Washington. It offers an impressive view of the south face of Glacier Peak and passes through dense forests.
No matter which pass you choose to travel, you can be guaranteed that it will provide breathtaking views as you journey from Washington to Montana!
Are there bears in Lolo National Forest?
Yes, there are bears in Lolo National Forest. The Lolo National Forest is located in North and Western Montana and spans two million acres of mountainous terrain. The forest is home to a variety of wildlife, including bears.
Specifically, the forest is home to black bears, which are the most common type of bear in the area. While not commonly seen, bear encounters are possible in the forest and familiarity with bear safety is important.
Bears are very shy animals and usually avoid contact with humans. However, it is important to remain alert and take precautions if you encounter a bear while visiting the forest. Among other tips, it is important to never feed a bear, never approach a bear, and make noise while hiking to alert bears of your presence.
Following these guidelines will help keep visitors and their families safe while enjoying the beauty of the Lolo National Forest.
What is Lolo National Forest named after?
Lolo National Forest is a 2.2 million-acre forest located in parts of western Montana and northeastern Idaho. The forest takes its name from the Lolo Trail, an 870-mile-long Native American trading and travel route, which stretched from the Bitterroot Valley of Montana to the Pacific Northwest.
The Lolo Trail was traditionally used by Nez Perce and Flathead tribes, among others, to trade with and travel to tribal areas in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. The trail was first documented by Lewis and Clark on their journey across the continent in 1805-06.
Lolo National Forest was formed in 1908 by an Executive Order by President Theodore Roosevelt, and contains the southeastern portion of the Kootenai National Forest. The forest is mainly composed of mountain ranges, being home to six mountain ranges and a variety of peaks, including 5,213-foot Red Hill, 8,231-foot Mount Henry, and 8,768-foot Monumental Peak.
The forest is full of spectacular views and many opportunities for recreation. Dubbed ‘Mother Nature’s Playground’ by locals, the Lolo National Forest has many activities for visitors to enjoy, such as camping, fishing, hiking, building campfires, swimming in the many streams and rivers, and trails for horseback riding and biking.
Hikers can find a variety of trails as well, including the Watchtower Trail, Trapper Creek Trail, and Sewey Hill Lookout.
In addition to its recreational value, Lolo National Forest is also home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, moose, whitetail deer, black bear, mountain goat, mountain lion, and a variety of bird species.
Where are the most grizzly bears in Montana?
The majority of grizzly bears in Montana can be found in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in the northwestern corner of the state. This area includes Yellowstone National Park and parts of the surrounding areas including the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the Gallatin National Forest, and the Shoshone National Forest.
The Yellowstone grizzly bear population along with other grizzly bear populations can be found in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem centered around Glacier National Park in North Central Montana and the Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem in extreme northwestern Montana.
The northwestern corner of Montana is considered the stronghold of grizzly bear populations and is where the highest concentrations of grizzly bears can be found.
Are there grizzlies in the Crazy Mountains?
No, there are no grizzly bears currently inhabiting the Crazy Mountains. The Crazy Mountains, located in Montana, used to inhabit grizzly bears, but it is believed that the last grizzly bear was sighted in 1975.
Currently, other large carnivores that inhabit the Crazy Mountains are black bears, cougars, and wolves. There have been ongoing efforts to restore grizzly bears in the area, but so far no successful reintroduction has been achieved. The U.
S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recently proposed a plan that would involve bringing some grizzlies to the Bridger-Teton National Forest which is located on the border of the Crazy Mountains. The goal of this plan is to establish a small population of grizzlies in the area which would then hopefully move into the Crazy Mountains.
Although the proposal has yet to be approved, it is an important step towards hopefully restoring grizzlies in the Crazy Mountains someday.
What does Lolo mean in Native American?
Lolo is a term derived from the Salish-speaking tribes of the Pacific Northwest. It is used to refer to a “wise elder,” or an elder who has a special understanding of how to live in harmony with the environment.
In some tribes, this term is also used to refer to a medicine person, or one who uses traditional medicines, interacts with the spirit world, and provides spiritual guidance to the tribe. In more general terms, the term Lolo is used to reference a respected elder, who is a mentor and a source of knowledge for the tribe.
Is Lolo Pass on Bitterroot Mountains?
Yes, Lolo Pass is located on the Bitterroot Mountains on the border of Idaho and Montana. The pass is at the northernmost point of the Bitterroot Range, which stretches across five counties in Idaho and Montana.
The pass is located at an elevation of 5,233 feet and is one of the highest points of the range. Lolo Pass is the highest point along the Lewis and Clark Trail and was used by fur traders and American Indians.
The Bitterroot Mountains are part of the greater Rocky Mountain chain. The pass and surrounding area offer scenic views and access to several trails and forests.
Is there a Lolo Montana?
Yes, there is a Lolo, Montana located in Missoula County. It is a small unincorporated community that is located along Highway 83 about four miles north of Lolo. The area is rural, with nearby forests and wildlife management areas, as well as some rural commercial businesses.
Lolo is known for its annual Lolo Hotshot Memorial Rodeo, which is held the second weekend of June each year. It is an event that brings together the local community, as well as visitors from across the state.
The Lolo Hotshot Memorial Rodeo is a four-day event that includes traditional rodeo events, as well as a parade, arts and crafts, and food vendors. Other attractions in the area include, the Lolo Pass Visitor Center, which offers information about the Lolo Trail, a historic path that Native Americans and settlers used to cross the Bitterroot Mountain Range.
The Bitterroot National Forest, which lies just minutes outside of Lolo also offers miles of hiking trails and outdoor recreation.
