Nez Perce Pass

Nez Perce Pass is a mountain pass in the Bitterroot Mountains on the border between the U.S. states of Idaho and Montana. The pass is at an elevation of 6,587 feet (2,008 m) above sea level.[1] The Nez Perce Pass Trailhead offers access to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and the Frank Church—River of No Return Wilderness.[2]

Nez Perce Pass
Location in Idaho, on the border with Montana
Elevation6,587 ft (2,008 m)
Traversed byUnpaved road
LocationIdaho County, Idaho / Ravalli County, Montana,
United States
RangeBitterroot Mountains
Rocky Mountains
Coordinates45°43.0′N 114°30.2′W
Topo mapNez Perce Peak Quad

The pass is located "between Wildernesses nearly twice as large as the combined states of Delaware and Rhode Island," on what is "probably one of the wildest roads in the United States."

To the north is the 1.2-million-acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and to the south the 2.2-million-acre Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. These areas comprise over 11% of the Congressionally established Wilderness area in the 48 contiguous states.[3]

A sign honoring Doris Milner of Hamilton, Montana "graces the Montana side" of the pass. "A sign honoring Idaho Senator Frank Church identifies the Idaho side ... Both Milner and Church helped add thousands of square miles of Montana and Idaho forest to the nation's wilderness system."[4]

Forest Road 468, Nez Perce Road, also known as Magruder Corridor Road, crosses the pass. It is unpaved, and has no services for 117 miles.[5][6][7][8] "The road has changed little since its construction by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s. It has been known by several names, such as The Southern Nez Perce Trail, The Elk City to Darby Road, The Montana Road, and The Parker Trail."[5] "The landscape is much the same as when the Nez Perce and early travelers crossed the area."[3]

"From Darby, Montana travel south 4.3 miles on Highway 93, turn south on the West Fork Road and proceed for approximately 14.3 miles. Turn west (right) on Forest Road 468, Nez Perce Road and travel for approximately 16.1 miles" to Nez Perce Pass trailhead."[2] The paved parking area at the pass has a helicopter pad.[9]

Nez Perce Pass marks a change in time zone, from Pacific time in northern Idaho to Mountain time in Montana.

See also

References
  1. "Nez Perce Pass". Montana's Passes and Summits by Bicycle. 2012. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  2. "Bitterroot National Forest - Nez Perce Pass Trailhead". Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  3. "The Magruder Road Corridor" (PDF), US Forest Service, retrieved 2013-12-01
  4. Lundquist, Laura (2011-06-19). "Hamilton's Doris Milner honored for wilderness contribution". Ravalli Republic. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  5. "Magruder Road Guide" (PDF), US Forest Service, retrieved 2013-12-01
  6. "Hamilton, Montana to McCall, Idaho with visits to Nez Perce Pass, Magruder Corridor, Frank Church/River of No Return and Selway-Bitterroot Wildernesses ..." Mountain Mouse Land. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  7. "National Wilderness Areas in Idaho". Sangres.com. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  8. "Idaho's Magruder Corridor Wilderness Road". Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  9. "Nez Perce Pass Trailhead : Trailhead Information". SummitPost. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
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