Mission Valley
The Mission Range, situated in the northwestern corner of Montana, stands as a majestic collection of 38 peaks, with McDonald Peak towering as the highest and most prominent summit at 9,787 feet (2,993 meters) above sea level. Spanning approximately 45 miles (72 kilometers) between Flathead Lake and the Swan Range, the Mission Range is a subsection of the Central Montana Rocky Mountains.
Geologically, the Mission Range is predominantly composed of "Belt Rock," part of the Belt Supergroup, which originated around 1.47 to 1.4 billion years ago. These sedimentary rocks formed in the Belt Basin over millions of years before being uplifted during tectonic collisions about 80 million years ago. Despite being from the end of the Proterozoic Era, the mudstone in the Mission Range boasts vibrant colors, including green, grey, and red, largely due to the high levels of hematite (iron oxide) present.
The distinctive three-sided pyramidal peaks that characterize the Mission Range were sculpted by the movement of glaciers during the last major glaciations, including the one that ended around 10,000 years ago. Evidence of human habitation in the region dates back tens of thousands of years, with the Salish and Kootenai peoples utilizing the area for fishing, hunting, and foraging.
While the Mission Range remained relatively untouched by non-native peoples until the early 20th century, the Great Pacific Railway and other ventures gradually encroached upon the land. However, much of the area was eventually acquired by the US Forest Service, with portions falling under the protection of the Flathead Indian Reservation and the Flathead National Forest.
Today, the western edge of the Mission Range, located within the Flathead Indian Reservation, is safeguarded as part of the Mission Mountains Tribal Wilderness, while the eastern edge, within the Flathead National Forest, is preserved as the Mission Mountains Wilderness. These designations ensure the conservation of this pristine and culturally significant mountain range for future generations to enjoy.
The Mission Range, situated in the northwestern corner of Montana, stands as a majestic collection of 38 peaks, with McDonald Peak towering as the highest and most prominent summit at 9,787 feet (2,993 meters) above sea level. Spanning approximately 45 miles (72 kilometers) between Flathead Lake and the Swan Range, the Mission Range is a subsection of the Central Montana Rocky Mountains.
Geologically, the Mission Range is predominantly composed of "Belt Rock," part of the Belt Supergroup, which originated around 1.47 to 1.4 billion years ago. These sedimentary rocks formed in the Belt Basin over millions of years before being uplifted during tectonic collisions about 80 million years ago. Despite being from the end of the Proterozoic Era, the mudstone in the Mission Range boasts vibrant colors, including green, grey, and red, largely due to the high levels of hematite (iron oxide) present.
The distinctive three-sided pyramidal peaks that characterize the Mission Range were sculpted by the movement of glaciers during the last major glaciations, including the one that ended around 10,000 years ago. Evidence of human habitation in the region dates back tens of thousands of years, with the Salish and Kootenai peoples utilizing the area for fishing, hunting, and foraging.
While the Mission Range remained relatively untouched by non-native peoples until the early 20th century, the Great Pacific Railway and other ventures gradually encroached upon the land. However, much of the area was eventually acquired by the US Forest Service, with portions falling under the protection of the Flathead Indian Reservation and the Flathead National Forest.
Today, the western edge of the Mission Range, located within the Flathead Indian Reservation, is safeguarded as part of the Mission Mountains Tribal Wilderness, while the eastern edge, within the Flathead National Forest, is preserved as the Mission Mountains Wilderness. These designations ensure the conservation of this pristine and culturally significant mountain range for future generations to enjoy.
