Big Hole Pass

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Big Hole Pass
Big Hole Pass Topo Map.jpg
Local map of Big Hole Pass
Elevation7,055 ft (2,150 m)
Traversed byContinental Divide Trail
LocationBeaverhead–Deerlodge National Forest, Beaverhead County, Montana
Salmon National Forest, Lemhi County, Idaho
Coordinates45°32′59″N 113°49′13″W / 45.5496426°N 113.8203501°W / 45.5496426; -113.8203501Coordinates: 45°32′59″N 113°49′13″W / 45.5496426°N 113.8203501°W / 45.5496426; -113.8203501
Topo mapUSGS Big Hole Pass
Continental Divide at Big Hole Pass

Big Hole Pass (elevation: 7,055 feet (2,150 m)) is a high mountain pass on the Montana–Idaho border approximately 8 miles (13 km) due south of Montana State Highway 43 in the Beaverhead–Deerlodge National Forest in Beaverhead County, Montana,[1] and Salmon National Forest in Lemhi County, Idaho. This location should not be confused with a sign on Montana Highway 278 at the height of land west of Dillon, Montana, that denotes the eastern entrance to the Big Hole valley.[2][3] The Continental Divide Trail goes over this pass, which is about 11 miles (18 km) south-southeast of the more famous Chief Joseph Pass. The pass can be approached on a Forest Service road, Dahlonega Creek Road (079), from the west or Forest Service Road #943 from Highway 43 from the east.[4] On their return trip the Lewis and Clark Expedition separated at Traveler's Rest in modern-day Montana. On July 3, 1806, Meriwether Lewis headed north to explore the Marias River, while William Clark headed up the Bitterroot River with 50 men, Sacagawea and her baby. They crossed Big Hole Pass on their way to their cache of supplies at Camp Fortunate.[5]

Recreation[]

Woods Road near Big Hole Pass

This pass cannot be seen from a paved highway but is frequently traversed by through-hikers on the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). Hunters, fishermen and other outdoors people use the area. Within a mile of Big Hole Pass, a woods road sits on the actual Continental Divide. Water draining from the muddy road on the left goes toward the Pacific Ocean, while water on the right goes toward the Atlantic Ocean.

See also[]

  • Mountain passes in Montana

Notes[]

  1. ^ Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest South map 2008 - US Dept. of Agriculture
  2. ^ "SCAN Web 6.0 - Camera".
  3. ^ Highway 278 location: N45.33048, W113.241159
  4. ^ Montana & Idaho's Continental Divide Trail: The Official Guide (The Continental Divide Trail Series) by Lynna Howard and Leland Howard (Jul 31, 2000)
  5. ^ "1806 Exploration Routes of Lewis & Clark". LewisAndClarkTrail.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-15. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
Retrieved from ""