[3] The Northern Bitterroots also contain a smaller subrange, the Grave Creek Range.

The Grave Creek Range is 262 square miles (679 km2) in area and its highest peak is the 7,270 foot (2,216 m) Petty Mountain.

The Bitterroot Mountains presented an unexpected, formidable obstacle to Lewis and Clark during their expedition westward, and ended their expectation of finding a "Northwest Passage" giving an easy connection from the Atlantic watershed to that of the Pacific.

By insisting on selection cutting, he tried to protect the watersheds and wildlife habitats that are harmed by clear-cutting.

He launched a public attack and lobbied to secure passage of the National Forest Management Act of 1976, that codified his model.