Fishing & Hiking the Belt Mountains.gif)
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 The
Belt Mountains have two distinct ranges, the Big Belt Mountains
and the Little Belt Mountains. For simplicity, both will be
covered below since while they mountains are quite different
from one another, both share one thing in common - limited
backcountry fishing.
The Big Belt Mountains
are located to the east of Helena, Montana, which is the state
capital. They are difficult to miss as the rise abruptly up
from the valley floor with a vertical rise of more than 5000
feet in some places. The Big Belt Mountains, lying as they
do to the east of the continental divide, are more arid than
the mountains found just to the west on the other side of
the continental divide. Instead of having thick forests over
much of their sides, the Big Belt Mountains have expansive
areas of open meadows, grass and exposed rock. As they are
a tall mountain range, many areas of the Big Belt Mountains
are also over timberline.
Only one designated
wilderness area, the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness that
is found at the northern tip of the Big Belt Range, exists
in the Big Belt Mountains. The rest of the mountain range
is strictly forest service land. Numerous forest service roads
of variable conditions enter and cross the Big Belt Mountains.
The Big Belt Mountains are a popular place for locals to come
out and explore the roads that traverse through these mountains.
 The
peaks of the Big Belt Mountains are quite rounded and even
gentle, in stark contrast to some of the nearby mountain ranges
such as the Bridger Range and the Crazy
Mountains.
The only real lake
fishing in the Big Belt Mountains is found near the ranges
highest mountains, Mt. Baldy and Mt. Edith. Several small
lakes are located to the north of Mt. Edith. A trail from
the nearby Duck Creek Campground reaches these small, alpine
lakes. The largest lake, Edith Lake, holds decent populations
of small cutthroat trout.
Use of the Big
Belt Mountains is relatively light. The lack of any protected
wild lands, combined with the lack of alpine lakes and other
attractions, tends to keep most visitors from ever seeing
the Big Belt Mountains. Most of the use of the Big Belt Mountains
comes in the form of off-roading, exploring the mountains
forest roads and mountain biking. Horse packing is also popular
due to the open nature of the mountains.
The Little Belt
Mountains lie to the east of the Big Belt Mountains and to
the south and east of Great
Falls, Montana. Despite what their
name suggests, these are a sizable mountain range. Smaller
mountains are located on the western side of this range (to
the west of Belt Creek), while much taller mountains dominate
the skyline on the eastern side of the Little Belt Range.
The Little Belt
Mountains are heavily forested in most areas, in contrast
to the more open atmosphere found in the Big Belt Mountains.
Use of the Little Belt Mountains is somewhat higher than the
Big Belt Mountains. A popular ski area, Showdown Ski Area,
lies at the pass on Highway 89. The mountains also draw lots
of campers and day hikers from Great Falls, which is nearby.
 Similar
to the Big Belt Mountains, fishing in the Little Belt Mountain
backcountry is less then special. A couple of small lakes
are found just to the east of the highest peak in the Little
Belt Mountains, Big Baldy Mountain.
Access to the Belt
Mountains is excellent. Between the highways that cross the
mountains and the forest roads that twist and turn throughout
them, road access is excellent. An extensive trail network
in both mountains exists, although some of the trails are
used for more than hiking and horse packing. Numerous day
hiking and week long expedition trips can be planned in both
these mountain ranges.
Wildlife is abundant
in the Belt Mountains, particularly the four-hoofed kind.
Grizzly Bears are not found in the Belt Mountains, so for
the person who dreads an encounter with these creatures, the
Belt Mountains are a good place to go.
Camping is easy
in the Belt Mountains. Many designated campgrounds exist and
the open, relatively rolling countryside of both mountain
ranges allows for ample informal camping possibilities.
Services are located
reasonably close to most areas of the Belt Mountains.
The
Big Belt Mountains are located near Helena and the Little
Belt Mountains are located within an easy drive of Great
Falls.
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