Trekking the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness

Hey explorer!

Welcome to Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe.

Today’s digital adventure is brought to you by Bitterroot Backpacking.

We’re going to backpack and packraft through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, a rugged and remote backcountry area that stadles the border between Idaho and Montana.

Combined with its neighboring The Frank Church River-of-No-Return Wilderness, they form the largest combined wilderness area in the contiguous United States, spanning over 5 million acres.

This isolated expanse of pristine landscape is filled with commanding peaks and serene lakes providing a unique scale of untouched nature that sets it apart from other backpacking destinations in the country.

Adventures in the Bitterroot Mountains

Part of the Rocky Mountain range, the Bitterroot Mountains are a majestic feat of nature’s architecture.

Here you'll find sweeping valleys and mountain canyons carved a mile deep by glaciers, where babbling streams feed the forests that line the slopes.

Alpine lakes glisten amidst golden Larch trees in the Autumn and snow-capped granite peaks in the Summer, providing idyllic campsites.

Wildflowers like Bear Grass dot the landscape in the summer, creating a vibrant tapestry of colors against the backdrop of towering peaks.

Thousands of miles of trails wind through this area, but many trails are unmaintained and rugged, making it an experienced backpacker’s dream.

There are plenty of trailless portions that few people visit, making solitude easily attainable in this enormous wilderness area.

As the sun dips below the horizon, astrophotographers will find a prime opportunity to capture clear shots of the Milky Way under some of the darkest night skies in the US.

The naturally calm mornings in the Bitterroot make for ideal packraft float conditions.

The serenity of the day’s early hours is unmatched. The forest echoes with bird songs, sunbeams streak through Ponderosa pines, and steam dances above a lake surface so still, that it creates a perfect mirror image of the rugged granite peaks.

The guides at Bitterroot Backpacking know this area like the back of their hands and can help you get the most out of your journey through a truly wild and rugged wilderness full of all sorts of natural wonders to fulfill the soul.

Explore More

If you would like to learn more, here are some links you can check out for more information about backpacking the Bitterroot Mountains.

• 80 miles in the Bitterroot Mountains (video)

• Best Backpacking Trails in Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness (routes)

How to Hike and Raft the Bitterroot Mountains

Hiking in the Bitterroots ranges from strolls to extremely difficult climbs. All the routes can be done independently but many require preparation and extensive backcountry skills to be completed safely.

From Hamilton, you can access various trailheads that lead into the Bitterroot Mountains.

Whether you're new to backpacking or an experienced hiker who likes having all the details taken care of, going with an experienced guide is an excellent idea.

Bitterroot Backpacking is a top-rated backpacking guiding service that provides guided backpacking and hiking trips in the Bitterroot National Forest.

Each trip they run provides the opportunity to learn new skills and sharpen your knowledge in off-trail navigation, wilderness survival, and photography.

They also have a gear rental service with the latest lightweight backpacking setups and packrafting equipment.