Created by an act of Congress in 1978, the wilderness is within Lolo National Forest, and protects the northern portion of the Sapphire Mountains.

Although camping and fishing are allowed with proper permit, no roads or buildings are constructed and there is also no logging or mining, in compliance with the 1964 Wilderness Act.

[1] Wildlife includes elk, mountain lion, bobcat, pine marten, mink and weasel.

[1] When the mines were abandoned, the area became a hideout for fugitives like outlaw Frank Brady, who was killed in a 1904 shootout at a cabin in Welcome Creek.

[1] Today, the crumbling remains of about a dozen miner's cabins dot the Wilderness, though only two are in fair condition, one of them at the mouth of Cinnabar Creek.