Professional Paper No. 30 Series H, Forestry, 10 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

. UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

CHARLES D. WALCOTT, DIRECTOR 

FOREST CONDITIONS 

IN THE 

LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, 

:MONTANA, AND THE LITTLE BELT . MOUNTAINS QUADRANGLE 

BY 

JOHN . B. LEIBERG 

WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1904 
\ 
PUBLICATIONS OF UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 

[Professional Paper No. 30.) 

The serial publications of the United States Geological Survey consist of (1) Annual Reports, (2) 

Monographs, (3) Professional Papers, (4) Bulletins, (5) l\iineral Resources, (6) Water-Supply and 

Irrigation Papers, (7) Topographic Atlas of the United States-folios and separate sheets thereof, 

(8) Geologic Atlas of the United States-folios thereof. The classes numbered 2, 7,. and 8 are sold at 

cost of publication; the others are distributed free. A circular giving complete lists may be had on 

application. 

The Professional Papers, Bulletins, and Water-Supply Papers treat of a variety of subjects, and 

the total number issued is large. They have therefore been classified into the following series: A, 

Economic geology; B, Descriptive geology; C, Systematic geology and paleontology; D, Petrography and 

mineralogy; E, Chemistry and physics; F, Geography; G, Miscellaneous; H, Forestry; I, Irrigatio]1.; 

J, \Vater storage; K, Pumping water;· L, Quality of water; .M, General hydrographic investigations; 

N, \Vater power; 0, Underground waters; P, Hydrographic progress reports. This paper is the tenth 

in series H, the complete list of which follows (all are Professional Papers thus far): 

SERIES H, FORESTRY.· 

4. The forests of Oregon, by Henry Gannett. 1902. 36 pp., 7 pls. 

5. The forests of Washington, a revision of estimates, by Henry Gannett. 1902. 38 pp., 1 pl. 

6. Forest conditions in the Cascade Range, Washington, between the Washington and l\Jount Rainier forest reserves, 

by F. G. Plummer. 1902. 42 pp., 11 pls. 

7. Forest conditions in tbc Olympic Forest Reserve, Washington, from notes by Arthur Dod well and T. F. Rixon. 

1902. 110 pp., 20 pis. 

8. Forest conditions in the northern Sierra Nevada, California, by J. B. Lei berg. 1902. 194 pp., 12 pis. 

9. Forest conditions in the Cascade Range Forest Reserve, Oregon, by H. D. Langille, F.. G. Plummer, Arthur Dod well, 

T. F. Rixou, and J. B. Leiberg, with an introduction by Henry Gannett. 1903. 298 pp., 41 pis. 

22. Forest conditions in the San Fmncisco Mountains Forest Reserve, Arizona, by J. B. Lei berg, T. F. Rixon, and 

Arthur Dod well, with an introduction by F. G. Plummer. 1904. 95 pp., 7 pis. 

23. Forest conditions in the Black Mesa Forest Reserve, Arizona, prepared by F. G. Plummer from notes by T. F. Rixon 

and Arthur Dod well. 1904. 62 pp., 7 pis. 

29. Forest conditions in the Absaroka division of the Yellowstone Forest Reserve, Montana, and the Livingston and 

Big Timber quadrangles, by J. B. Lei berg. 1904. 148 pp.,:; pis. 

30. Forest conditions in the Little Belt Mountains Forest Reserve, Montana, and the Little Belt ~fountains quadrangle, 

by J. B. J,eiberg. 1904. 75 pp., 2 pls. 

Besides the foregoing, three volumes on forestry have been published, as Pt. V of the Nineteenth, Twentieth, and 

Twenty-first annual reports, each consisting of several papers. 

".orrespondence should be addressed toTHE DIRECTOR, 

• UNI'l"El> STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 

AuGusT, 1904. \V ASHINGTON, D. C. 

LIBRARY CATALOGUE SLIPS. 

[Mount each slip upon a separate card, placing the subject at the top of the 

second slip. The name of the series should not be repeated on the series 

card, but additional numbers should be added, as received, to the first 

entry.) 

Leiberg, John B. 

· ... Forest conditions in the Little Belt Mountains 

~ forest reserve, Montana, and the Little Belt Mountains 

! quadrangle, by John B. Leiberg. Washington, Gov't 

print. off., 1904. 

75, III p. 2 pl. (incl. map & diagr.) 29! X 23cru. (U. s. Geological survey. Professional paper no. 30.) 

Subject series: H, Forestry, 10. 

Lei berg, John B . 

. . . Forest ·conditions in the Little Belt Mountains 

~ for!;st reserve, Montana, and the Little Belt Mountains 

! quadrangle, by John B. Leiberg., Washington, Gov't 

pript. off., 1904. 

75; III p. 2 pl. (incl. map & diagr.) 29! x 23cm. (U.S. Geological survey. Professional paper no. 30.) 

Subject series: H, Forestry, 10. 

U. S. Geological survey. 

Professional papers. 

i 

i 

rn no. 30. Leiberg, J. B. Forest conditions in the Little 

Belt Mountains forest reserve, Montana, and the 

Little Belt Mountains quadrangle. 1904. 

U. S. Dept. of the Interior. 

see also 

U. S. Geological survey. 

III 

J ,,.. 

~; 

'• 

PUBLICATIONS OF UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVE,Y. 

[Professional Paper No. 29.] 

The serial publications of the United States Geological Survey consist of (1) Annual Reports, (2) 

Monographs, (3) Professional Papers, (4) Bulletins, (5) Mineral Resources, (6) Water-Supply and 

Irrigation Papers, (7) Topographic Atlas of the United States-folios and separate sheets thereof, 

t 8) Geologic Atlas of the United States-folios thereof. The classes numbered 2, i, and 8 are sold at 

cost of publication; the others are (]istributed free. A circular giving complete lists may be had oh 

application. 

The Bulletins, Professional Papers, and Water-Supply Papers treat of a variety of subjects, and 

the total number issued is large. They have therefore been classified into the following series: A, 

Economic geology; B, Descriptive geology; C, Systematic geology and paleontology; D, Petrography and 

mineralogy; E, Chemistry and physics; F, Geography; G, Miscellaneous; H, Forestry; I, Irrigation; 

J, \Vater storage; K, Pumping water; I", Quality of water; M, General hydrographic investigations; 

N, Water power; 0, Underground waters; P, Hydrographic progress reports. This paper is the ninth 

in series H, the complete list of which follows (all are Professional Papers thus far): 

SERIES H, FORESTRY. 

•l. The !ores "of Oregon, by Henry Gannett. 1902. 36 pp., 7 pis. 

5. The forests of Washington, a revi3ion of estimates, by Henry Gannett. 1902. 38 pp., 1 pl. 

6. Forest conditions in the Cascade Range, Washington, between-the Washington and Mount Rainier forest reserves, 

by F. G. Plummer. 1902. 42 pp.", 11 pis. 

7. Forest conditions in the Olympic Forest Reserve, Washington, from notes by Arthur Dodwell and T. F. Rixon. 

1902. 110 pp., 20 pis. 

8. Forest conditions in the northern Sierra Nevada, California, by J. B. Lei berg. 1902. 194 pp., 12 pis. 

9. Forest conditions in the Cascade Range Forest 1:\eserve, Oregon, by H. D. Langille, F. G. Plummer, Arthur Dod well, 

T. F. Rixon, and J. B. Leiberg, with 1m introduction by Henry Gannett. 1903. 298 pp., •11 pis. 

22. Forest conditions in the San Francisco :Mountains Forest Reserve, Arizona, by J. B. Leiberg, T. F. Rixon, and 

Arthur Dod well, with an introduction by F. G. Plummer. 1904. 95 pp., 7 pis. 

23. Forest conditions in the Black Mesa Forest Reserve, Arizona, prepared by F. G. Plummer from notes by T. F. Rixon 

and Arthur Dod well. 1904. 62 pp., 7 pis. 

29. Forest conditions in the Absaroka division of the Yellowstone Forest Reserve, Montana, and the Livingston and 

:Big Timber quadrangles, by J. B. Lei berg. 1904. 148 pp., 3 pis. 

Besides the foregoing, three volumes on forestry have been publlshed, ItS Pt. V of the Nineteenth, Twentieth, and 

Twenty-first annual reports, each C0!:'2..~~~~Y cfr-r-:;;;;rl~(;~~ 

I 

Corresp,f.:t.ldence should be addressed toTHE DIRECTOR, 

UNITED 

./.<1'14!'~:: ~--·.-•••· -Rii!II.IIII'P 

/ STATES GEOLOGICAL 8URI'EY, 

JULY, 1904. w ASHil'GTON, D. c. 

\ 
' I l 

\ 
CONTENTS. 

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL --- ------ -- --- ---- -- -- --- --- ---- ---- --- - ---- ----- ---- ---- -- -- - ----

LITTJ,E BELT MouNTAINS FoREST RESERVE .... ___ . __ .. __ ....... _ ........................... . 

Location and extent _ .... __ .... _ .... __ .. __ ...... __ ... _ ....... ___ .. __ . __ ... ___ ........ . 

Clasblficatwn of lands ........... _ .. -..... _ .. __ .. __ .. - - -. -.... _ ........ _ .. _ ... _ ....... . 

Topography _ _ _ ____ . ____ . ___ . _________ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ________________________ _ 

Rehef . ___ . ___ .. _ ................ _ . _ . _ ..... ___ ... _ ............ _ .......... _ ...... . 

Drainage . _ ... __ ........... - . . . .......... - -. _ . -.......... -... ---.... -.... -. -.. --. 

Mming areas and nunerals ... _ .................. __ . . ____ . _ ...... _ .. __ ... _ ... ___ . _ ... _ 

AgriCultural lands_ .. ___ ._ ... _ .... ___ ...... ___ ... _ .... : ..... _. ____ ....... __ .......... . 

Grazmg lands _ ..................................................... _ ........ _ ....... . 

"\Voodland .. __ . . . .... -............. _ . _ ...... _ . _ . ___ ... _. _ ........ _ .......... _. _ ..... . 

Forest conditiOns ............ __ -... -. _ .. _ . _____ . __ - - _ ................... _. __ . ___ ..... . 

Composition, and regwnal and altiturlmal d1~trrbutron ..... _. _ ... __ ... ____ ........ _ 

Ages an<l dunension~ ot trees_ -- .... _ .. _ _ _ _ __ 

Character, value, and volumP of merchantable timbm __ .. __ .. _ ... ________ . ___ .... __ 

Cutt1ng __ . _ ................ ____ . ___ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _______________ . _. ______________ _ 

Burns ..... _ ...................... -. . . . . --------------- __ --. ---. -------... -... ---

Re~>tockage ________ .. _ - _. _-. __ -. __ .- ___ - __ .- __ -- __ . _______ -- _ -- -... ________ . __ . __ _ 

Townsh1p descnptrons - _____ . _ .. _. ________ . ______________________ . ______ . _. _ ..... ___ . 

Township 10 north, range 10 east·····················----------------------------

Townblnp 10 north, range 11 east···········--------------------------------------

Township 10 north, ~angc 12 east .. _ ..... __ ...... . .............. _ .. ____ . _. _____ . _ 

Townsh1p 10 north, range 13 eabt. ............ ------------------------------------

To\\nship 11north, range 9 east. ................ --------------------------------

Township 11 north, range 10 east _ ......... _ ... ___ .. __ ... __ ............. ______ •. __ 

Tuwl(shlp 11 north, range 11 eabt . . . . . . . . . _ ... _ ... _... . ....... _. . .... _________ . 

Township 11 north, range 12 east. ......... _ ........ __ ........... __ ..... _________ . 

To\\ nsh1p 11 north, range 13 east ........... _ .......... __ .. _ ........ _. ______ .... __ 

Towmhip 12 north, range 9 east ....................... _ ............. _ ... ___ . ___ . _ 

Township 12 north, range 10 east ....... _ .. _ ... ___ ... __ .. _. __ .. _ .. __ ... _. _. __ . ___ _ 

Township 12 north, range 11 eaot ...... _ ... __ ...... ______ ... _ ........ _. _. __ . _. ___ _ 

Township 13 north, range 8 east ..... ·--------------------------------------------

Townslup 13 north, range 9 east ........... ---------------------------------- __ _ 

Townslnp 13 north, range 10 east ... ___ . __ . _ ...... __ ... 1 __ . __ . _ ...... ____ . ___ . ___ _ 

3 

Page 

7 

9 • 

9 

10 

11 

11 

12 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

16 

19 

20 

22 

23 

24 

25 

25 

27 

29 

30 

32 

33 

35 

36 

38 

40 

42 

44 

4.6 

4.7 

49 
• 

4 CON'l'ENTS. 

Lr~'TLE BELT MouNTAIN FoR~;sT RESER\'E-Contmued. 

Township descnptwns-ContmuPn 

Township 13 noith, range 11 east _____ _ 

Township H north, 1ange 8 eabt _______ _ 

TownHlllp 14 north, range 9 casL-------------------------------------------------

TownbhiJJ 14 north, range 10 east ________________________________________________ _ 

Township 14 north, range 11 east ______________________ - _________________________ _ 

TownRlu[> 15 north, range 8 east _______________________________________________ _ 

Township 15 north, range 9 east _________________________________________________ _ 

Townslllp 15 north, range 10 east _ _ ____________________________________________ _ 

LITTLE BFLT ~MOUNTAINS QUADRANGLE-----------------------------------------------------

Locatwn, extent, and clas5Ifieatwn of lands _________________ - __ - _____ - ________________ _ 

Topography ________________________________________ .- ________ -- ••• __________________ _ 

Rehef _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _____________________ - ________ -- _- __ - __ - - _.- _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ 

51 

53 

55 

57 

59 

61 

62 

64 

67 

67 

67 

67 

DI am age _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - _ - - ____ - - _ - - _ - __ - - _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 68 

Agrwultural !aii<ls _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 68 

Grazmg lands _ _ _ _ _ __________________________ - - _ - --- __ -- - - -- -- _ -- _- ___ . - __ -., ____ - _ 69 

'V o'ocllands _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ________________________ - -•.. _ _ _ _ - _ - _ ... _ - - _ - . _____ . _ __ __ _ _ 69 

The forest ___________ . _____ . _ .• _____ . _. ___ . ____ .•. ______ - ___ . ___ . _________________ . _ _ _ 70 

index _ _ _ _ _ _ 73 
0 

ItLUSTRATIONS. 

Page. 

PLATE I Land-classificatiOn map of Little Belt J\ionntams quadrangle, and part of FoJt 

Benton qu,vlrangle, Montana____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 10 

li Dtagram ~howmg total o,tand of null tunber an<l propo1 hon of eaeh species______ 16 

5 
' 

\,dl _______ _ 
/ 

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SuRVEY, 

WasAmgton, D C, Februa7'Y 10, 1904 

SIR I have th~ honor to tran"lmrt for pubhcatwn, as a profe~s10nal paper, a 

rep01t hy Mr J B Le1berg on the f01er;t condrtwns and land classlficatwn of the 

Lrttlc Belt Mountam~ Re"ler ve and adJacent regwns 

Vt>ry re<;pectfully, HENRY GANNETT, 

Geogmpher 

Hon CHARLES D WALCOTT, 

Du·ector Umted States Geoloqwal Sttrvey. 

7 
''

!'1·-----------------------
FOREST CONDITIONS TN THE LITTT:rE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST 

RESERVE AND THE LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS QUADRANGLE. 

By JOHN B LEIBERG 

LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE 

LOCA'l'ION AND EXTENT. 

The Lrttle Belt Mountams Forest ReE>erve wa& established by Executrve 

proclamatiOn, dated Augu&t 16, 1902, and rts houndancs descnbed a& followA 

"Begmmng at the southeao.t cornm of townshrp F-IXtcen (16) north, range ten 

(10) east, pnncrpal mendmn, Montana, thence &outherly to the pomt fm the 

northwest corner of towno.hrp fourteen (14) north, range eleven (11) east, thence 

ea~>terly to the pomt for the nottheast corner of &ectwn four (4), sard townshrp; 

thence southerly along the sm veycd and um,urveyed sect10n hnes to the pomt 

for the southea'lt corner of :;,ectwn thuty-three (33), sard townshrp, thence eao.terly 

to the northea;,t corner of towno.lnp thrrteen (13) north, range eleven (11) east; 

thence southerly along the sm veyed and unsm veyc<l range hne, allowmg for the 

proper offset on the thrrd (3rd) standard parallel north, to the pomt for the 

southea&t comer of townshrp twelve -(12) north, range eleven (11) ea;,t; thence 

eat.terly along the unsurveyed town-.htp lme to the pomt for the northeast corner 

of townshrp eleven (11) north. range thuteen (13) east, thence &outherly along 

the range lrne to the southwest Lorner of townshrp ten (10) north, range fourteen 

(14:) east, thence westerly along the township hne to the pomt for the 'louthwest 

corner of township ten (10) north, range ten (10) ea;,t, thence nm thmly to the 

nmthwcst wrner of saHl town;,hip, thence westedy to the point f01 the southwest 

cotncr of sectiOn thn ty-four (34), township eleven (11) 1101 th, range nme (9) east; 

thcnt-e,nm thelly along the unsm veycd sectwn lmes to the pomt fm the northwest 

comer of scctron three (3), s:ud townshrp, thence westerly to the pomt for the 

northwe&t corner of said townshrp, thence northerly along the un<;urveyed range 

hne to the pomt fm Its mtm&ectwn wrth the thnd (3rd) standard parallel n01 th; 

thence we-,terly along &aid unsurveyed parallel to the pomt for the southwest 

cm ner of 'lectwn thrrty-four (34), townshrp thn teen (13) north, range eight (8) 

east, thence northerly along the uno.m veyed sectwn lmes to~ the pomt for the 

nor thwc:>t cm ner of 'lectwn twenty-two (22), smd township; thence weste1ly 

along the unsurveyed sectwn lmes to the pomt for the southwest corner of 

9 
10 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

section eighteen (18), said township; thence northerly along the surveyed and 

unsurveyed range line to the southeast corner of township sixteen (16) north, 

range seven (7) east; thence easterly along the surveyed and unsurveyed township 

line to the southeast corner ·of township sixteen (16) north, range ten (10) east, 

the place of beginning." · 

The area of the tract thus set apart amonnts to 501,120 acres. 

CLASSIFICATION OF LANDS. 

The lands in the reserve are classi,:fied as follows: 

Clasl!ification of lands in the Little Belt Mountains Forest Reserve. 

Acres. 

Forested ................... __ .... 0. 0. 0 0. 0 0 0 .... 0 •• 0 0 _ 0 0 0 0 •• 0 .. _ 0 .... ___ 0 ... 0 237,810 

Wooded .... __ . 0 0 •• 0 .... ___ .. 0 0 ... 0 0 0 •• ____ .. 0 0 _____ • 0 0 _ •• 0 ... _ 0. __ ... 0 0 ... 0 25,140 

Non timbered 0 • 0 •••••• 0 0 ••• _ ••• _ •• _ •••• ~ ••• _ .. 0 .. 0 • 0 _ 0 • 0 • 0 • _ 0 0 ••• 0 •• __ ..... 0 238, 170 

TotaL.· ...... 0 •• 0 ........ : ••••••••• _ ••• 0 0 ...... 0 0 0 ••• 0 ... 0 • 0 •• _ 0 0 ... 0. 501, 120 

The nontimbered lands at present comprise almost 50 per cent of the reserve. 

As here classified they include also the temporarily deforested areas-the badly 

burned tracts-on which the forest has been practically destroyed by fires since the 

Indian occupancy of the region, and on which only a very sparse restockage has 

set in. The nontimbered lands are classified as Jollows: 

Classification of nontimbered lands in the Ilittle Belt Mountains Forest Reserve. 

Acres. 

Badly burned .. 0 0. _ ... 0 _ ..... ·o 000 _ ........ ____ ... 0 •• __ .... _ •• _. __ 0 •• __ 0 0. 0 111,600 

Agricultural .... 0 0 •• _. _. _ •••••••• _ 0 ••• _ .. __ ........ _ ........ _ ....... __ ••• 0 0 0 9, 250 

Grazing ...... Ooo··· .... ·ooo·----0·0-- 0----· o--·'· oo•o-- ........ ·o· ........ oo 99,070 

, Bare rocks ... 0 ........... 0 0 .. 0 0 ............ 0 ........... 0 • 0 •••••• 0 ••••• 0 0 0 • • 18, 250 

Total .. 0 _ • 0 • 0 ___ •••• 0 ... _ ................. 0 ••••• 0 ; ... 0 ..... _ ..... 0 • _ _ 238, 170 

If the badly burned tracts. are restocked there may be an increase in forested areas of 111,600 acres, making the total forest land 349,410 acres, or nearly 

70 per cent of the reserve, while the area of the nontimbered tracts will be 126,570 

acres. It is not improbable that in addition to the restocking of the badly burned 

tracts, certain of the grazing areas, which really consist of ancient fire glades 

created during the Indian occupancy of the region, may, in the course of time; 

again come under forest cover. Should such be the case, 50,000 acres may be 

added to the timber land in the aggregate, giving it a grand total of nearly 

400,000 acres, or 80 per cent of the reserve. This may be regarded as the 

possible future forest acreage of the reserve. The remainder, or 101,120 acres, 

will always remain in part comparatively thinly stocked woodland, and in part 

grazing or agricultural lands at low elevations. The bare, rocky exposures and 

high subalpine areas will never bear _a forest, owing to absence of soil and severe 

climatic conditions. 
SURFACE FEATURES. 11 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

RELIEF. 

About half of the reserve is in the southeast portion ot the L1ttle Belt Mountains, and the other half is comprised in a secondary system ~f ridges which 

stretches northward from the main range and is variously called the Neihart 

Baldy-Yogo ridge or the Neihart Baldy-Porphyry Peak ridge, the name8 being 

taken from prominent elevations situated along its crest. 

The main range of the Little Belts occupies the southern and a small part 

of the northern and central portions of the reserve. The Little Belt Range is a 

limestone uplift seamed by numerous dikes of eruptive rock and with extensive areas of metamorphic rocks. Toward the northeast it sends out long spurs 

which form divides between the tributaries of Judith River, while the ridges 

which radiate from the southern slope of the axis are short and steep and 

constitute divides between canyons draining directly into Musselshell River. 

The crest of the main ridge is mostly narrow, but in places it broadem and forms 

small pl~teau areas, as at the head of Lost Fork of Judith River. The high crest 

1ine is not continuous, for, beginning at the head of Sp!ing Creek, the range is 

interrupted by three gaps at the head of Spring, Daisy Dean, and Haymaker 

creeks. These gaps divide the Little Belts into three great blocks and throw 

the ultimate heads of the three creeks named above, as well as the summit line 

of the range, into a low; marshy flat that originally formed part of the South 

Fork of Judith Basin, from which stream the three creeks named are separated only by low gravel hillocks 20 to 40 feet high. I have named the blocks 

formed by these gaps, beginning on the most easterly, as follows: Twin Peak 

block, Haymaker block, Daisy Dean block. The greatest altitude reached by the 

main range within the reserve is 8,400 :feet; its mean elevation is approximately 

7,300 :feet. 

Most of the secondary range, at least its higher areas, is formed of a mass 

of igneous rock. The radiating ridges on the eastern slopes of the main axis 

-ar~ rather long, narrow, and winding, occasionally rising in low peaks or falling 

away in shallow saddles. The spurs on the western slope are short and steep. 

The main ridge is narrow, comparatively straight, and with slight variations from 

the 7,400-foot level in all of its southem portions. There is, however, a gradual 

ri&e toward the north until the ridge culminates in the rough and rugged massifs 

which constitute Yoga Peak and Neihart Baldy, whence· &hort, rough, an~ rocky 

spurs radiate in every direction and fill the northern part of the reserve with a 

mass of winding ridges and c·anyons. The highest point on the secondary ridge, 

which is also the highest point in the reserve, is reached in Neihart Baldy, 9,000 
12 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

feet above sea level. The average elevation of the reserve, exclusive of the canyons and valley bottoms, is, approximately, 6,900 feet. 

The canyon syRtem consists of troughs, long. and comparatively nan:ow m 

their central and lower areas, the larger usually widening into broadly elongated 

9r semicircular ·basins at the heads. They often contract into narrow gorges at 

some point along their COUr!->C, and in the limestone areas almost invariably display a line of castellated cliffs along their upper breaks. The slopes commoqly 

arc very steep and below the line of cliffs are deeply covered with rough 

talus accumulations. 

DRAINAGE. 

The principal drainage basins in the reserve arc as follows: 1. The upper 

areas of Belt Creek, composed of (a) heads of main Belt Creek; (b) all of Dry Fork 

of Belt Creek. 2. Wolf Creek drainage, composed of (a) upper and central areas 

of Dry Wolf; (b) upper one-hal£ of Running Wolf. 3. Judith River drainage, 

composed of (a) all of Yogo Creek, which may be regarded as the north fork of 

the river; (b) all of Middle Fork Judith; (c) all of Lost Fork of ,Judith; (d) all 

of South Fork Judith. 4. Trihutaries of Mus&elshell River, consisting pi·Incipally 

of Spring, Daisy Dean, and Haymaker creeks. 

Most of the run-off from the reserve areas i& carried by Judith River, the 

reserve &erving as a large natural reservoir, which is of great Importance owing 

t~ nTigation along the lower course of that &tl·eam. The uext largest volume is 

carried by Belt Creek, a stream also utili?:ed for purpo;;es of ll'ngatwn ont&ide 

the reserve areas. The other streams heading within the resen'e are of minor 

importance, Spring and Daisy Dean creeks on the Musselshell slope being the 

only ones there that carry any considerable 9mtntities of water. A large 

number of the smaller canyons are dry throughout most of the year. Especially 

is this the case where the entire length o:f the canyon lies in the hmestonc strata. 

The extensive fissuring to which the sedimentary rocks of the reserve have been 

subjedcd has opened cracks in all directions, through which mueh of the downfall 

is swallowed up, never to reappear, at least not on nearby areas. 

The reserve contains two small lake&. One i,-; situated on the ea:;tern flanks 

of Neihart Baldy near the summit. The other lies at the head of Richmond, or 

Trail, Creek, in T. 11 N., R. 9 E., and is marshy, with a small gras::;-free place 

in the center. 

MINING AREAS AND ~IINEUAT_.S, 

The larger portion of the reserve is a nonmineral region or, at least, is not 

known to contam valuable or workable ore deposits. The mineralized areaf.. so 

far opened, and either developed to producing capacity or in a prospectmg stage, 
/ 

MINING AND AGRICULTURE 13 

are as followf> The Nmhart du;trwt, m T. 14 N., R 8 E , the Barke1 dtstrwt, in 

T 15 N., R& 8 and 9 E, the Wolf Cteek di<>tucts, m T 14 N, R. 10 E, the 

Sapphire di'"ltrwt, m T 10 N , R 11 E , the Y ogo d1&t11ct, m T. 13 N., R 13 E , 

and the Spnng Creek dtstnct, m T 10 N , R 10 E 

Ot these du;tuets the Nmha1t and Ba1ker have been important centeu; ot 

ote p10dnction As they were chiefly Silver camps the low puce of th1s metal 

has brought on a g1adual declme m their impo1tance and activity The Barker 

dtstnct haR piactwally eeased ptoducmg ore, and comparatwely httle m extiacted 

from the mmes at Neihart Eat:.t of Batkei and acrot:.'.. the dtvtde 1n the Wolf 

Creek dta1nage ate a number of rmmng claims, mostly 1n the ptospectmg stage 

One or two have produced and &hipped &mall quanhtiC& of 01e, \Hth &Ih·et a'l 

the leadmg value Placet claim:-. have heen wo1 ked to a hmtted {'Xtent 1n the 

valleys of the Dry \Volf dramage Beds of specular non 01e, saul to be of 

eon&tdemble extent, occm m the canyon:;, of Runmng Vvolf C1eck They have 

not bef.'n de,·cloped The Sapphue mme It> not a placer deposit, a& Is commonly 

i-mppo&ed, but a dtke ot e't upttve 10ck wtth the gems m place The nune was 

bemg actwely worked at the tune the exammatwn wa:, made The Yogo distuct 

IS a I egwn of abandoned quartz proRpects and placer locatJOn~ The Sprmg 

Creek district contams seve1al p10pert1es with eopper appatently a<; the chtef 

value None of the claims a1e developed to producmg capacity 

In additiOn to the dt<;tncts enumerated there are Isolated mmetal deposit:-. of 

small extent m vauour, loeahties, pnnCipally at the h.ead& of M1ddle Fork of 

J ud1th Rtver It Is not Improbable that mmerahzed areal'l w1ll be di&covei ed 

elsewhere m the Ieserve, partiCularly at the head of South Fork of J udtth 

River, where extensiOn"' of the Sapph1re d1stnet may be expected to occm 

.AGRICULTURAL LANDS. 

The lands mthe1 occupred 01 smtahle for agncultmal pmpo&eo., compnsmg 

9,250 acres, consist of bottom lands m the d1:fferent canyont> and of a few &mall 

tracts 1n the foothill tcgwn, chiefly m T 15 N , R 11 E , where they aggregate 

2,800 ac1e::,, the large:;t area of cultrvable land m any township m thP 1eserve 

Neady all of the agncultmal lands are so s1tuated that 1rrigatwn IS necessary to 

make them productlVe The a1eas actually unde1 cultwatlon do not exceed 1,000 

acre& The la1gest ptoportwn of them are &Itnated m T. 15 N., Rs 9 and 10 E, 

and m T 13 N., R 10 E 

• 
14 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

GRAZING LANDS. 

The grazing lands have an area of 99,070 acres To thrs may properly be 

added the woodlands, whrch are m01e or le-.s completely grassed over and have 

long been used for pasture. Includmg these tiacts, the :tVailable grazmg land 

compnses a grand total of 124,210 acres, cla::.t>liied as followb. 

ClC!sS'Ljicatwn of gwzmg lands m the Litttle Belt .Afountam~ li'01e~t Reser1•e 

Acre~ 

Foothillb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40, 000 

Woodlands ......... ---------------------------- ...... ------------- 25,140 

AnCient fire glades, chiefly subalpme, and other nont1mbered trads m that 

.wne, collectively called "parks" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... _.. 59, 070 

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124, 210 

The grazmg areas w the foothills ale confined to tracts havmg an elevatwn 

between 5,000 and 6,000 feet They are sttuated as follows In T. 15 N , R. 

10 E , the two eabtern trers of sectwns; m 1'. 10 N., Rs 10 and 11 E, the first 

southern trer of sectwns, m T 10 N , R 12 E, the two bOuthern trers of sectwm., and m 1' 10 N, R. 13 E., all exeept the n01th tJer of sectwns. All 

these tract& are timberless, 01 contam only scattered tree& of limber pme, yellow 

pme, and red fir, and occaswnally some Jumper scrub, they are situated below 

the hne whwh marks the lower limrt of forest, and owmg to bemrar1d condrtwns 

can never become stoeked wrth forest trees, they have been well covel ed with a 

giab::.y sward, but have long been too closely pastured m most localities by both 

cattle and sheep, and have a low grazmg value at the present t1me 

The woodlands range in altitude fi om 5,500 to 6,500 feet Most of the 

tracts are srtuated m T 13 N, R 11' E., but scattered areas occur throughout 

the f>outhem tter of towm,hrps Originally they had a ground cover composed 

of bunch grass and trarlmg Jumper, and m :,orne localities they &trll 1etam a fair 

amount of graE.>s, but, as they have long been u;;,ed as cattle range and sheep run::>, 

much of the land has been too closely pastured, partrculady where the sheepmg 

ha'l been concenti a ted m hmrted tract::> The ground cover of Jumper remams 

and 1s blneadmg mto the grassy areas 

The remamder of the grazmg Jands consists of anCient fire glades and of 

tracts nearly hare of forest owmg to then positiOn near timber lme. Some of 

the fire glade& occupy portiOns of bottom land m the Jarger canyons, some are 

on the southern slopes of the mountams; but most of them he on the bUIDIDits 

of the ndges and drvrdes, between 7,900 to 8,500 feet elevatwn These openrngs 

are known as "park::. " Above the 7,800-foot level they are abundantly and 
GRAZING L.A.NDS. 15 

evenly covered with a tough, nearly continuous, sward of subalpine grasses and 

sedges, and on the slopes and bottoms of canyons by interrupted growths of 

bunch grass and weeds. 

All of the valley areas belonging to this class of grazing lands have long 

been pastured by cattle and horses, and possibly by sheep, but only in lesser 

degree. Here and there they show effects of overgrazing, but in the main are 

in fair condition. They comprise in the aggregate 10,000 acres, of which 2,000 

acres are situated in the southern tier of townships in the Musselshell drainage, 

5,000 acres in the Judith River basin, and the rest in valleys of various· 

small creeks in the two northern tiers of townships. 

The subalpim~ portions of the grazing lands have an area of 40,000 acres. 

Owing to the luxuriant growth of gras8 they are by far the most valuable of 

the pasture areas in the reserve, but are utilized only 'by the few prospectors who 

ann~ally visit them, the great number of insect pests which infest them rendering them almost useless for cattle or horse ranges. In former years they may 

have been used for sheep pasture, but evidently never very extensively, as none of 

the tracts show signs of overgrazing. The largest areas of these grazing lands occur 

along the summit of the Y ogo-Porphyry Peak ridge, along the summit and upper 

slopes of the Yogo-Neihart Baldy ridge, at the head of Lost :Fork of .Judith 

River, and 'on the summit of the big blocks ·of limestone which lie along the 

main axis of the Little Belt Mountains, between the head of Daisy Dean Creek 

and Twin Peaks, in T. 11 N., Rs. 12 and 13 E., where some tracts contain 

several thousand acres unbroken by lines or stands of forest. All of the tracts, 

with the exception of 3,000 or 3,500 acres near Yogo Peak and on the summit 

of Neihart Baldy, owe their origin to :fire and mark the-siteof former stands of 

subalpine forest. 

\VOODT-'A.ND. 

The woodlands, with an area of 25,140 acres, are in the foothill regions in the 

southern, eastern, and northern townships of the reserve. They carry thin lines, 

small copses, and scattered trees of limber pine; yellow pine, and red fir. Practically they have no value for silvicultural purposes. They are, however, capable 

of bearing a larger amount of timber than they now do, but their position within 

areas of semiaridity or subhumidity will.always preclude any close and extensive 

stockage of forest .. These lands include the east half of T. 13 N., R. 11 E., containing 12,000 acres, and scattered, irregular tracts in the southern tier of townships, 

namely: 6,000 acres in T. 10 N., R. 10 E.; 1,040 acres in T. 10 N., R. 13 E., and 

5,000 or 5,500 acres in T. 15 N., R. 10 E., the northeast corner of the reserve. 
16 LITTLE BELT MOUN.TAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

FOREST CONDITIONS. 

COMPOSITION, AND REGIONAL AND ALTITUDINAL DISTRIBUTION. 

Most of the forest in the reserve is made up of coniferous species, as follows: 

Species in Little Belt Mountains Forest Reserve. 

Limber pine _. _________ . ___ . __ ... _. __ . _. _. _ .... ___ ... _. __ . _. ___ .... _._.Pinus flexilis 

Lodgepole pine. ______ . ____ ._. ___ .... _. _. _ ... _ .. _____ ... ____ . _._._ .. Pinus rnnrrayana 

Yell ow pine ____ .. ____ . _ . _. __ . _ ... ___ ..... _. _ .. ____ .. ___ . _ . _________ Pinus ponderosa 

White-bark pine. __ . ______ ._. ______ . ____ . _____________ . ____ .. ____ ._ .. Pinus albicaulis 

Red fir._._. __ .... ____ . ___ .. _._._._ .. _._ ...... _____ . ___ .. _· ___ ... Pseudotsuga taxifolia 

Subalpine fir .. __ . __ ._ .. _. ____ ..... ___ ... ___ ._ .. __ ..... ____ .. _______ .Abiea lasiocarpa 

Engelmann spruce _ ... ___ ..... __ . _ .......... __ .... __ .. _. _. _ . _ . ___ .. P.icea engelmanni 

There is also a small percentage of deciduous-leaved trees, mostly represented 

by aspen, cottonwood, wild cherry, and various species of alder and arborescent 

willows. The percentages of the different species, averaging the entire reserve and 

basing the estimates on basal diameters exceeding 3 inches, are as follows: 

Percentage of species in Little Belt ~lfountains Forest Reserve. 

Per cent. 

• Limber pine __ . _. _____ .. __ . _ . _. _____ .. _ .. _ . _. _ .... _. _. _.. _ .... _. _ ..... __ ... 8. 2 

Lodgepole- pine ___ ... __ .. _ .... __ ._. ___ ._._. __ ..... _ ...... _ ..... __ . _ ... _ .. __ . _ 34. 2 

Yellow pine._._ . _ .. _ .......................... -........... _ ....... ---....... . 07 

'Vhite-bark pine ... _. __ . _. __ . _. ____ ..... ____ .... _. _ ... _ ...... _ .. -... _... . . . . . 009 

Red fir. ___ ._ .. __ ..... __ .. _ ... __ ..... _ ................ I. • . . • . . . . . • • . . . • . . . . . . . 44. 7 

Subalpine fir _. __ . __ .... _. __ . _. _ .. __ . _ .. __ .... ____ ... _. _. ~ ... :: ___ .. -~ _. _. _ _ _ l. 4 

Engelmann spruce .. __ ... _____ . _ .. ______ .. __ .. _. ___ ...... __ ... _. _. __ . _. __ . _ . 11. 4 

Aspen and cottonwood. __ . ____ .. __ . _________ ... ____ ... __ .. ______ .. _______ .. __ . 021 \\ 

Owing to the climatic conditions in the areas surrounding most of the reserve 

the arrangement and general distribution of the different species of trees are 

somewhat complex. A large portion of the tract consists of a narrow mountain 

axis flanked by areas with a moderately high mean summer temperature, which 

arc arid or semiarid by reason of ·comparatively low elevation. The result of 

this combination of climatic conditions and geographic position is that the species 

which normally would remain in the lower zones of the forest are found at 

altitudes where they are mingled with the species of the subalpine ;;;one. As the 

mountain regions of the reserve are variously influenced by the climatic features 

of the plains, it follows ·that the different portions of the reserve exhibit this 

intermingling of forest zone in different degrees .. 

The lowest· fringe of forest adjoining the woodlands, or in some cases 

directly abutting on the nontimbered plains, consists of red fir, limber pine, and 

yellow pine. It lies at elevations of between 6,000 and 6,500 feet. Above the 

latter altitude the yellow pine soon thins out and disappears, the limber pine 
FOREST CONDITIONS 17 

becomes les'3 abundant, lodgepole pme come;;; m, and the percentage of red fir 

greatly mcrea'le'l Here and thme, mostly along the 'ltream'l and on adpcent 

'3lope'l, Engelmann '-PI uce rs nH:xed with othm specreb m '3m all or moderate 1n oportwns Above the 7,500-foot level red fir raprdly thm<, out-often It I& 

entuely la:ekmg at that altrtude, ebpeoally rf the 'llope ha'3 a northern exposurelodgepole pme IS very abund.:tnt, subalpmP fir .:tppe.:tr'l, and the percPntage ot 

Engelmann -,pr uce greatly mCiea-,e<, At an altrtude ot 8,200 teet red fir ha-, 

wholly dlbappeared, lodgepole pme oc,cm" a-, -,cattered tree.,, whtle EngPln1ann 

spruce, '3ubalpme fir, limber pme, and, urely, whrte ba1 k pme con'3titute the final 

or 'lnbalpme fore<;t 70ne 

The altrtudmal lumt ot the red fir r'3 highe'lt on the -;lope'- drammg mto 

Mu-;gel'Jhell Hrvm, m the southern tier& of town':>hip<;, whme It attam'o an elevJ.-

tron of 8,000 teet It IS lowest m the Belt Creek dramage, m the northwestern 

corner of the re.,er ve, where rt &G.:tHely reache& the 7,000-foot level The near-by 

wm m areas ot the open Mu'3'lelshell V .tllPy on onP hand, and the !ugh &ubalpme 

tracts at the head ot Belt Creek on the othm, cau-,e thrs change m the .tltrtudmal 

range ot the ':lpecres 

The altrtudmal range ot the limber prne lb bHmlarly affected It rb usually 

found m the foothrlb, but when rt g10w-. on ndge-. whrch front chrPctly on the 

plam.;,, or are <Jrtuated wrthm the mfluence of the thy, heated an cuuent..,, 

rt becomes a member of the <;ubalpme gwup of trees, and 1':> found at altrtudes 

of 8,300 feet, ,t-. m the Y ogo Creek basm and on the a,rea<; drammg mto the 

Mm'lelghell 

The upper hnnt of the lodgepole pme vane'l from 7,800 to 8,100 feet Uhmatre c,ondrtwns affe(t thr-, '>peciC'l by a,rregtmg rt-, downw.tid extensiOn'> 1Vhrle 

the tree may be found along the 'oheamb a& f,n a'l the pomt whme they enter 

the plam-,, It-, range en mabse -,tops .tt the 6,500 or 7,000 foot level on the r.,lope'3 

drauung to the Mmsebhell, where the and drmate of the plamg r-, felt In the 

mteuor ot the Belt Creek dramage, where the dry au ot the plam& doe<; not extend, 

the downwtud ra,n~;e of the '>pecre& l'l a'l low a& 5,400 teet 

In the nm the.t&tern and southern townshtp& the chmatre mfluence of the 

adJacent plam-. causes the lower hmrt of the vauou'l zone& of for e-.t to use 800 

to 1,000 teet In the western and central township&, beyond the mfluence of the 

plam'o, the downward lrmrt ot the forest zone'l l'l extended for 600 to 1,000 feet 

There Is no defunte timber lme m the reserve If one e"XI&ted It probably 

would lie at 9,800, or 10,000 feet None of the peaks reach above the 9,000-foot 

contom, and whrle sevmal of the highegt areas are devord of hmbm, thrs r& owmg, 

not to then altitude, but mther to past fires and deficrent restockage or to stony 

and barren ground 

9576-No 30-04-2 

• 
• 

18 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS l!'OREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

The dlflerent species a1 e found throughout the r esm ve wrthm theh altitudinal 

hnnts wrth the exceptiOn of the whrte-bark pme, whiCh IS confined to the high. 

~mmmits of Mrxes Baldy, Yogo Peak, and Nerha1t Baldy The heavrest and mo~t 

extem,rve areas of lodgepole pmc arc m the Belt Creek dramage, where It form-; 

85 per cent of the fotef,t, and m the upper portion ot South For h. of .T ud1th ba-,m, 

whme rt fmms 99 pe1 cent of the t-.Land on 30,000 or 35,000 acie'l In the Musselshell drmnage rt lOnstituteo; only a small percentage of the trmber, Its place 

bemg taken by 1 eel fii 

The hmbe1 pme has a fanly umform drstubutwn, hut I':l rathe1 more plentrful m the northeast quarter of the reserve than elsewhere The yellow pme I'l 

comparatively mfrequent in the Belt Creek dramage, and IS moiC common m the 

lower areas ot Judith Rivet ba.,m, although It 1s nowhere abundant It Is found 

found 111 g1 eatest amount on the Mu~~ebhell slope.,, partwulady m the valley of 

Sprmg Creek, 111 T 10 N., R 10 E It'l relatrve l"!carcity •and umfo1mly poor 

form show thdt this regwn IS not adapted to 1ts extensive development 

The 1ed fir IS very abundant th10ughout .T ud1th RH-m basm and on the 

slopes m the Mu~sebhell drainage In J ud1th RIVm basm rt 1'3 commonly agsoCiated with lodgepole pme and Engelmann spruce, formmg f10m 20 to 65 per 

cent of ~uch miXed stands On the Mu'3sebhell blopes It frequently composes 85 

to 95 pm cent of the forest, the Iemamdm being limber pine, yellow pme, and 

Engelmann sp1 uce 

The bubalpine fir occms on all the high udgcs throughout the Ieserve. Hme 

It Is d1stmctly what Its name implies-a subalpme specres Wrth the exceptiOn 

of the whrte-bark pme and the yellow pme none of the trees composmg the 

fm e~t are more re-,tucted m therr range 

The spruce oecms in all pmtwn-, of the lebeive, but never m pme growth 

stands, rts p10portwn varying from 10 to 80 per cent The h1ghe'lt percentages 

are reached m vete1an stands at mrddle and lower ~ubalpme hmght~, the lowest 

percentage~"> where the speCies I~ m mixed 'ltands of well-stocked lodgepole pme at 

rmddle elevatw,m. The hcavie&t and bet-.t stocked stand~ of &pruce occm at the 

head of M1ddle Fork of J udrth Rive I m growth& 300 to 350 yeau,; old 

Aspen and cottonwood, together with variOus ~pec1es ot alde1, a1 borescent 

willow~, cherry, serviCe berry, and thorn, reprcbcnt the broad-leaved components 

of the forest Thmr propmtwn m the general mass Is m~Igmficant They form 

trlllges m the lower areat-. of the different valleys, u~ually along the -;treams. 

Oc.;a,Hmally the a~pen spreads o\rer the &lopes and ascends to altitudes of 7,500 

feet 01 even higher. 

The general compositiOn ot the forest at-. 1t now ~tands 1'3 not a nmmal one 

It ha& been greatly modified and alteted by fires both duung the t1me the Indian 
l!'OREST CONDITIONS. 19 

held possession of the country and since the advent of the white man. As a 

result of fires the percentage of lodgepole pine has been increased and that of 

red fir and Engelmann spruce decreased. A forest of normal composition, such 

as would cover the reserve were fires wholly eliminated and cutting closely regulated during a century and a half, should consist, approximately, of 62 per cent 

red fir and 25 per cent Engelmann spruce, while the remainder would be made up 

of lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, and small proportions of limber and white-bark 

pine. 

AGES AND DIMENSIONS OF TREES. 

Most of the forest in the reserve is composed of stands in the sapling or pole 

stage of growth, 80 per cent being less than 150 years old. The veteran st<:tnds 

are almost wholly confined to the summits of the higher ridges, to the upper portion 

of Middle Fork of Judith ba'lin, and to the canyons in the Musselshell drainage, 

but single tree~ or small copses of old growth are also scattered throughout the 

pole stands. The age of the veteran stands varies from 250 to 350 yea~·s, most of 

the old growth in the subalpine areas being nearer 250 years. The younger stands 

show a moderate degree of variation in their relative ages. Most of them: occur 

in large bodies of nearly even age, indicating that the ancient fires, like the more 

, recent ones,. devastated large areas simultaneously. Of the forest less than .150 

years of age about 36 per cent, covering in the aggregate 52,000 acres, is less than 

45 years old. 

The age of the timber on the slopes and summits is shown iu the following 

table: 

Age of timber on slopes cmd sum·m:its. 

Species. Height. Diameter, Age. hrenst high. 

Feet. IncheB. Years. 

Lodgepole pine ............... _ ..... _ ..................... . 60-80 8-10 135-175 

Limber pine (foothills) ................ .' .................. . 30-40 14-16 120-150 

Limber pine (7,500 to 8,000 feet) ........................ .. 30-40 14-16 250-280 

'\Vhite-bark pine .......................................... . 25-35 20-25 250-300 

Subalpine fir ........... : .............................. : ... 40-50 10-14 130-150 

Engelmann spruce ..................................... c ••• 50-75 16-25 150-200 

Red fir (middle elevations)_·_ ................... ~ ......... . 60-80 10-14 120-150 

Red fir (high altitudes) ............ -.-- .................... . 30 8-9 120-150 

Most of the timber is of slender growth even when mature. 'Phe largest 

specimens observed were as follows: Red fir, 5 feet in diameter; white-bark pine, 

3 feet; Engelmann spruce, H feet; limber pine, 3 feet. These diameters were 

exceptional. 
20 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

I 

Low ratios of soil humidity, induced by the not overabundant rainfall; ·rapid 

drainage, caused by steep slopes; 'thin soil; liwk of duff or humus to prevent 

surface evaporation; and a sterile soil-all cause the growth to he exceedingly slow. 

Exceptions occur in the swales and bottom lands, where there is greater moisture 

and the soil is deeper, but the great body of the forest requires from one hundred to one hundred and twenty years to yield merchantable poles and from one 

hundred and twenty to two hundred and fifty years to supply sizeable saw timber. 

CHARACTER, VALUE, AND VOLUME OF MERCHANTABLE TIMBER. 

The chief value of the forest is in its effect on the conservation and regulation 

of the run-off. From a commercial point of view, the only product of value 

consists of pole and fuel timber, as there is comparatively little, at least in the 

easily accessible areas, large enough to furnish saw logs. The mill timber everywhere is of poor quality. 

A greater volume of mill timber is obtainable from the red fir than from any 

other species. It has bC'en less cut because its tough, stringy wood is not suited 

for mill timber, its rapid taper unfits it for poles of any considerable length, 

and it occurs most plentifully in areas remote from market. 

The· lodgepole pine comes next in volume. Owing to its abund:wce near 

mining centers it has been more largely cut than any other species, notwithstanding the fact that it is less durable and much inferior generally to other common 

and accessible species. 

The spruce ranks after the lodgepole pine in volume of mill timber. Little 

of Lhis species has been cut because the best and thickest stands are difficult of 

access and remote from transportation and poin~s of demand. 

The yellow pine is cut wherever accessible. The proportion of thiH species 

and of white-bark and .limber pine is so small that altogether they do not 

enter appreciably into the quantity of mill timber that the forest is capable of 

supplying. 

In the volume of pole and fuel timber the lodgepole pine heads the list, 

having: nearly three times the volume of the red fir. Next in rank comes the red 

fir, followed by the spruce, while of the less abundant species limher pine shows 

a relatively large volume owing to its occurrence mostly as an old growth. 

The yield of mill timber runs low everywhere throughout the reserve. lt 

varies from 500 to 7,000 feet B. M. per acre, b~1t the latter amount is found only 

in veteran Rtands of Engelmann spruce. The low yield of mill timber is due to 

the scattering and intermittent grouping of trees large enough to cut for saw logs. 
• 

• 

FOREST CONDITIONS. 21 

On hundreds of acres large tracts of close-set, middle-aged 8tands of lodgepole pine 

and red fir will not yield a single saw log, and the subalpine areas contain only 

· sc.attered trees of the necessary dimensions. ~Then squared the average diameter 

of the mill timber throughout the reserve is probably 9* or 9tf inches. · As 

ordinarily cut, from 15 to 20 logs are required to produce 1,000 feet B. M. 

The yield of pole and fuel timber varies from 400 cubic feet per acre in the 

thinly stocked woodlands to 5,000 cubic feet per acre in fully stocked lodgepole- \ 

pine stands such as occur at the head of South Fork of Judith River. The 

comparatively low average of this class of timber is due to the thin subalpine 

stands and to the large areas covered with 40 to 50 years old growth too slender 

and immature to be taken into the account. No timber in the reserve can at all 

approach the lodgepole pine in possible yield of pole and fuel timbei·. W m~c all 

the tracts capable of producing this species stocked to their full capaci~y 60 per 

.cent of the reserve would yield at least 5,000 to 5,500 cubic feet per acre. 

The total volume of mill timber in the reserve, estimated on the basis of 8 

inches diameter, breast high, and 10 feet of available qole, with the amount 

contributed by each species, is shown in tabl~ below: 

Volume of mill timber in the L·ittle Belt .Mountains Fore.~t Reserve. 

FeetB .. M. 

Limber pine ...................... , .............................. ·....... 1, 050, 000 

Lodgepole pine ....................................... ·_.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70, 100, 000 

Y (ell ow pine ............................. : . ... :. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 300, 000 

Red fir .................• -..... -.. "- _ ...... _. _ ..... _ ....... _ .... _.. . . . . . 111, 650, 000 

Engelmann spruce .... -·-_ ..... _ .... _ ..... -.. ~ _ ............... · ...... _.... 52,850,000 

Total. . -...... -- .... -... _ ........ -........... _ ...... _ ...... ·.. . . . . . 241, 950, 000 

The above volume gives an average stand of nearly 1,020 feet R M. per 

acre fo1· the forested areas of the reserve. 

The volume of pole and fuel timber, basing· the estimates on diameters of 

not less than 4 inches, is as follows: 

Volume of pole and .fuel timber in the Little Belt .Mountains Forest Reserve. 

Cubic feet. 

Limber pine.--- ............ · ...... -- .. __ ._. ___ .... _ .... ___ .... _.~ ... _... 14,895,000 

Lodgepole pine ... --------.. -..... -•. _ .... __ ..... ___ . _ .. ________ .. ______ 239, 340, 000 

Yell ow pine . --------- -... -. -.... -.•...... ____ . _ .. ____ . ____ ... ___ ... _ _ _ _ 400, 000. 

White-bark pine .. -----------... ;--._ .. _ .. __ ... :. ___ ... ____ .:._ ... ___ ... 400, 000 

Red fir------.---------------------- .. ---.----.- .. --.- ....... -...... __ ._ 113,085, 000 

Subalpine fir . ------- ~--.---- ... ----... -- .... _. ... _. _ ... ____ ... _ . . . . . . . . . 2, 520; OQO 

Engelmann spruce - - -- -- -- ---. -- -- . __ ............ _ . _ ... ___ ... ____ . _ _ _ _ _ _ 41, 170, 000 

TotaL·_----.--------------- .. --- .. -- .. -.--.-- .... -- ... ---- __ ._._._ .. 411, 810, 000 
22 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS l!'OREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

The above total gives an average of nearly 1, 730 cubic feet per acre. If 

the mill timber is converted into cubic measure on the basis of 180 cubic feet 

to 1,000 feet B. M., and added to the pole and fuel timber, the average is brought 

up to 1,914 cubic feet per acre. 

CUTTING. 

The tracts logged to exhaustion and those merely culled comprise 59,600 acres, 

or nearly 25 per cent of the forest area. Most of these logged and culled districts 

arc situated in the northern and eastern tiers of townships. The area cut over 

in the southern townships is insignificant, comprising but a few hundred acres. 

The central areas have hardly been touched. 

The largest area of cut-over forest, 30,000 acreH, is in the Belt Creek drainage 

in T. 14 N., R. 8 E., and in T. 15 N., Rs. 8 and 9 E. InT. 14 N., R. 8 E., and T. 

15 N., R. 8 K, there remain but a few hundred acres of accessible merchantable 

timber not culled over, while in T. 15 N., R. 9 E., 70 per cent of the merchantable forest has been cut. The large amount of cutting on these tracts is due to 

their proximity to the mining camps at Neihart and Barker, and also to the 

circumstance that Tps. 14 and 15 N., R. 8 E., arc bisected by a branch line of the 

Great Northern Railro~d, affording convenient transportation for the timber 

products to outside points. The cutting has been for mill timber, fuel, fencing, 

mine props, and smelter poles. All of these classes of timber have_ been exported 

and all have also· been used locally, except smelter poles. Cutting was active until 

the reserve was created, since which time it has gradually declined. At present 

only a small a~ount is cut to supply the agricultural areas. 

The sawmills which formerly operated in the reserve have mostly moved 

away or closed down. There is one mill in the canyon of Dry .Fork of Belt 

Creek, another in Dry Wolf Canyon, and another in Spring Creek Valley, in T. 

10 N., R. 10 E.-all small Ill ills with a capacity of a few thousand feet each a day 

and not in active operation at the time the examination was made. With the 

· closing of the mines at Neihart and Barker most of the local demand ceased. 

The Sapphire mine in T. 13 N.; R. 11 E., draws on the reserve for limited quantities of mining timber, obtaining most of it from Yogo Canyon. Heretofore 

large quantities of mine props have been shipped to the coal mines at Belt 'and 

Sand Coulee, but this demand appears also to have fallen off since the forestreserve regulations governing cutting· came into force. Up to the winter of 1902 

there was a fair demand for smelter. poles at Great Falls, Mont., a1id very large 

quantities of pole timber were cqt and- shipped_ to that place. These poles are 

used in the copper smelter at Great Falls, being introduced with the charge to 

effect certain changes in the ore. They are- cut 30 feet iri length with diameters 

• 

• 
FOREST CONDITIONS. 23 

v"arying from 5 to 8 inches at the butt, to 3 or 3t inches, or less, at the small 'end. 

The poles are sold by weigbt-345 pounds being considered equivalent to one 

·pole. They ·are cut from green timber, lodgepole pine being preferred because 

-it tapers less within the 30-foot length than red fir or spruce. Most of the 

poles have been cut around Neihart and Barker. Owing to the· Government 

stumpage and the rule requiring the piling of tops and limbs it is claimed that 

poles can no longer be shipped with a profit. 

The cut-over areas have uniformly been left in bad condition. No· attempt 

has been made to pile tops and limbs. Thousands of poles, mine props, arid . saw 

logs have been wasted by being left to rot where felled. In a few.localities. the 

earlier cut areas have· been cleaned up by fire, which also burned the uncut 

timber, but generally the waste, both in the forest and around the sawmill settings, 

thickly litters the ground in all directions. 

While the streams in the reserve are not drivable, as a rule, most of the really 

· valuable merchantable timber is not particularly difficult of access. Logging 

roads can be constructed at moderate cost, and in those canyons where road 

m~king would be difficult and expensive, particularly in the Musself'?hell drainage, 

there is no timber worth logging. 

BURNS. 

The areas burned over since the advent of the white man comprise in the 

aggregate .111,600 acres. The devast.ation bas been wrought during the last 

thirty-five or forty years, chiefly since the location of Neihart and Barker mining 

camps. Howevm~, during the Indian occupancy there were many fires, as shown 

by the age of the forest and the composition of the stands. 

No large area of the reserve has remained untouched by fire during the last 

'one hundred and fifty years. The most extensive unburned ~racts are at the 

head of Middle Fork of Judith River and contain 3,000 or 4,000 acres. They 

have not been touched by fires during the .last thre~ hundred and fifty years. 

Since the advent of white men fires have been most severe and widespread 

in the two northern tiers and the most southern tier of townships, and during 

the last century and a half of Indian occupancy the most extensive burns were at 

the head of South Fork of Judith River, ·extending across t~e main divide 

·of. the Litt~e Belt Mountains and including most of the lower slopes of. the 

Musselshell drainage. The age and composition of the. foi·est show that · rela-

. tively more gi·ound has been burned over during the occupancy of the region l)y 

the white. man than dnring tlw last three generations of Indians, as dur!ng the 

foi;ty"years of "the white "man's occupancy 22 per cent· of the reserve was laid 

waste, and during the preceding one hundred 'and- ten ·years 58 per cent was 

burned over. 
24 LITTLE BELT MOl)NTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

Ih this region fires. almost invariably totally destroy the forest, except in 

the thin subalpine stands. The timber js rarely consumed by the first fire. 

Usually it is killed and left standing, and is later overthrown by wind and 

destroyed by future fires. The destructiveness of the fires is due to the vast 

amount of litter that accumulates in the closely-stocked stands. Below the 

middl,e of the subalpine zone aU reforestations after fires begin with stands 

stocked excessively close. As the forest becomes olger and the natural processes 

of pruning set in, great quantities of dead wood begin to litter the ground and 

furnish material for future disastrous conflagrations. There is little humus or 

duff on the forest floor to assist in spreading the fires, but on the northern slopes 

a moss cover, 2 to 4 inches in depth, is commonly present, and during the height 

of the dry season burns readily where at all abundant. 

RESTOCKAGE. 

In the woodlands and in the subalpine forest young growth is scanty and on 

the whole deficient, whether as restockage after fire or as the ordinary renewals 

in the gi·owing stan~ls. In the forest lying between these two zones young_ growth 

is abundant, except in the already fully stocked lodgepole-pine and red-fir stands, 

and in areas on which fire-killed and fallen timber has been consumed in a cleanburning fire. 

The young growth in the woodlands is composed of limber pine, yellow pine, 

and red fir, the first-named species predominating.. The growth is thin and 

scattering and is greatly retarded by the extensive and close matting of creeping juniper. In the upper subalpine zone there is sufficient young growth 

to keep the stands •stocked slightly above their . present percentage, as young 

spruce, subalpine fir, limber pine, and lodgepole pine are slowly reoccupying the 

grassy areas which formerly were clothed with forest. It is evident that the 

subalpine forest as a whole has. a low reproductive ratio, and it is also elcar 

that when entirely destroyed by fire a grassy turf takes the place of forest and 

remains indefinitely. Some of the grassy fire glades at subalpine elevations, into 

which the young growth is now slowly creeping, must have remained in their 

present nontimbcrcd condition for -centuries. They are full of buffalo trails and 

wallows, showing that they served for long periods as summer pastures. That 

they once were covered with forest may be inferred from the faet that similar 

grass tracts, in process of formation as the result of fires kindled by the white 

inan, and showing every stage in the transformation from half or completely 

burned forest to. gi·ass land, are met with in many localities along all the high 

divides throughout the reserve. 
DESCRIP'l'IONS OF TOWNSHIPS. 25 

Below the subalpine levels the forest generally is so closely stocked that 

little additional growth has a chance of surviving the seedling stage. On the 

burned-over areas in the Belt Creek drainage excessively close-set stands of lodgepole pine have taken possession of the ground. There is a fairly good restockage 

on the burns in the drainage basin of Dry \Volf, and partially so in that of Running· Wolf Creek. But the reforestations on the burns on Taylor Peak and on 

the northern tier of sections in T. 14 N., R. 10 E., are extremely thin and deficient. 

Reforestation also is deficient on the burned-ovel" tracts in the southern tier of 

townships on the Musselshell slopes. 

Within its altitudinal limits lodgepole pine is the leading species in all restockages in the central and northern portions of the reserve. In the southern areas, 

at least on the Musselshell slopes, red fir becomes the chief species. In the central and northern portions of the reserve lodgepole pine is sure to replace the red 

fir in practically every case. In the southern areas red fir follows red ·fir, or 

the ground remains nontimbered, unless the seepage is considerable, in which case 

small quantities of lodgepole pine may accompany the red fir as well as lesser 

proportions of Engelmann spruce. The variations in the composition of the young 

growth are caused by variation in the degree of aridity, as the red fir is better 

.able to resist arid conditions than the lodgepole pine. 

In some localities where the lodgepole pine has been logged and large openings made, red fir and spruce show a marked tendency. toward larger proportions 

than they displayed in the uncut stands, but in general the lodgepole pine has 

attained such proportions in the. reserve that, no matter how carefully the forest 

is handled, it is bound to retain its superiority, at least during the next hundred 

years, to the exclusion of better trees. 

TOWNSHIP DESCRIPTIONS. 

TowNSHU' 10 NoRTH, RANGE 10 EAsT. 

Topoqrap!l!y.-Most of the township is situated in the valley of Spring Creek, 

a broad, terraced depression inclosed on the east and west by comparatively low, 

much-broken spurs, which stretch south from the main range of the Little Belt 

Mountains in the township on the north . 

.1l£ininq.-Prospccts on quartz ledges arc scattered throughout Spring Creek 

Valley.· 

· .ffiinerals.-Copper and gold chiefly. 

Soil.-Comminuted limestone debris overlain. and mixed with thin loam. 

Agricult1£ral adaptability.-Small _ tr!lcts in . S'pr~ng Qreek bottoms are cultivable. The aggregate. ar.ea·. ~mounts to 25.0 to. 300 acres. 
26 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONT AN A. 

Grazinq capacity.-The south half of the district is thinly wooded and forested, and affords numerous grassy openings suitable for pasturage. It is utilized 

for cattle range, and as yet hao;; not been ,overgrazed. 

Dminaqe cond?:tions.-Thc run-off which originates in the township is of small 

volume and is carried by Spring Creek. Most of the minor lateral canyon~ and 

runs are dry ·throug·hout the greater portion of the summer and fall. 

1o'wns and settlements.-~The township contains no settl~ment~, though miners' 

·cabins arc scattered throughout the mineral-bearing districts. One small sawmill 

is located on Spring Creek, and two or three farms are situated on the tillable 

lands in this valley. 

Forest conditions.-The forest consists of mixed stands of red fir, spruce, and 

lim"J:>er pine, with small proportions of lodgepole pine on the summit of the higher 

ridges, and here and there lesser percentages of yellow pine. In the eastern portion of the township the stands arc continuous and fairly well stocked. In the 

valley of Spring Creek and on its western slopes the stands arc thin, grassy glades 

and rocky exposures breaking their continuity. The yellow pine in the district 

is confined mostly to the bottoms of Spring Creek. In 1;eneral the timber is of 

slender growth, stocky and .limby in the thinly stocked stands. 

Tfoodlands.-Portions of the southern areas are thinly stocked with scattering 

growth of limber pine and red fir. The stands and copses are set on grassy flats 

and hilisides, and have only a fue1 and pole value. 

o~tttinq.-A block o{ forest in Spring Creek Valley 3 miles long by one-half 

to two-thirds of a mile wide has been culled of most of its mill timber, particularly of the yellow pine. 

Burns.-Severe burns have ravaged the township during the last six or eigh_t 

years, and have laid waste most of the forest. 

Reproduction.-Restockage is very deficient on all the burned areas. The 

tendency is toward grass cover in place of forest. 

UnderqrowtA.-Scanty. 

Litter.-In the burned tracts litter, consisting of the u~consumcd timber, is 

very heavy and is constantly accumulating. In the green stands litter is light. 

Ilitm1l8.-None. 

Clas15ijication of landd in T. 10 N., R. 10 E. 

Acres. 

Forested . __________ ........ _ .....•.... _______ .............•... ______ ...... _ . 6, 540 

\V ooded .. _ .. ___ .•.. _ ... · ____ ... __ ... _ ....... __ .. - __ .. _____ .. __ . _ .. __ .. _ . _____ . 6, 000 . 

Non timbered ..... ____ .. ____ ••. __ .. ______ . _______ . __ ....... _________ .. ____ ... _ 10,500 

Badly burned . ______ . ____ . __ . __ . __ .... _______________ ...... __ ....... _________ 10, 200 

Logged ____ . ___ ......... __ ... ________ . __ .. ____ •. __ ..... __ . __ . __ .. __ . ___ ._._.. 600 

Agricnltnral _______ ............... _ .... ____ . _________ ... ·• ______ _ .: ____ , ____ ,. 300 

Grazing (woodland) _. _. _. ____ . ____ .. ___ . ____ ...... _. _______________ •. _ __ _ _ _ _ _ 6, 000 
DESCRIPTIONS OF TOWNSHIPS. 27 

Total stand of timber in T. 10 N., R. 10 E. 

Pole and fuel Total volume of 

timber. !lll timber. Species. Mill timber. 

Feet B. M. Cubic jeet. Cubic feet. 

Limber pine ..................................................... . 200,000 200,000 

Lodgepole pine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... _ . 300,000 300,000 

Yellow pine......................................... 1, 800, 000 100,000 424,000 

Red fir ......... ·........................ . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 800, 000 4,000,000 5,044,000 

Engelm:;~nn spruce ........................... , ...... . 700,000 900,000 1,026,000 

Total .................................... -. -.- 8,300,000 5,500,000 6,994,000 

Composition of forest in T. 10 N., R. 10 E., includ:ing trees ,of all species with basal diameters of 3 inches 

and upward. 

Per cent: 

Limber pine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 5 

Lodgepole pine ..... -.- ...............•..... ~............................. . . . . . . 1. 5 

Yellow pine................................................................... 2 

Red' fir.·_ ........... : . ..................... - - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 

Engelmann spruce ...................... -...................................... 10 

·Composition of the woodland growth in T. 10 N., R. 10 E., including trees of all species with basal diamete:rs 

of 3 inches and upward. 

Per cent. 

Limber pine.................................................................... 8 

Red fir ......................................................................... 92 

To,vNsHn' 10 NoRTH, RANGE 11 EAsT. 

Topography.-The township consists chiefly of the Daisy Dean block-a great 

uplift of limestone lying between Spring and Daisy Dean creeks on the Musselshell. slope of the Little Belt Range. The block is deeply cut by numerous 

narrow, cliff-bound canyons, and is completely ·pierced by the canyon of Daisy 

Dean Creek. 

Min·ing.-None . . 

Soil.-The soil throughout the district is thin and stony. 

Agrieult'!~ral adaptabi!~ty:~Sl!!all §racts situated on Daisy Dean Creek near 

the south line of the townf;\.hip :;tr~ tilled. They comprisE;\ in the aggregate 250 

to 300 acres. 

Graz·ing capacity.-The grazing areas are scattered throughout the township 

and consist of open, grassy hillsides in the southern_ areas, . grassy fire glades in 

the valley of Dn.isy Dean Creek, and ancient burns not restocked on the summit 

of the uplift. 

Draina_qe condition8.-The outflow from the township is small, and is carried 

mostly by Daisy Dean Creek. Most of the canyons are dry except in the spring. 
28 LITTL]! BELT MOU-NTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

Towns and settt..:--ments.-There are no settlements in the township. One settler occupies a small tract of land in section 28. ' 

Forest conditions.-The forest consists of red fir at the lower and middle 

elevations, and lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, and Engelmann. sin~-uce at the highest 

altitudes. Most of the red fir- is in the pole stage of growth. The timber 1s 

uniformly stocky aud limby; is difficult of access, and has only a .fuel value. 

Cuttinq.-In the southern areas 200 acres have been culled 75_ per cent. 

Bur·n.~.-Most of the north half of the township, formerly well stocked with 

timber, has been burned over and the forest totally destroyed. The fires have 

been particularly destructive in the upper and central Daisy Dean drainage, 

where all the timber, with the exception of a few hundred acres of red fir, has 

been completely ~onsumed. 

Reproduction.-Young growth is scanty throughout the township. 

as yet little or no restockage on the. burned-over areas. 

There is 

Underqrowtl~.-Consists of a small, amount of inconspicuous .shrubs. 

Litter.-There is a gTeat amount of dead and fallen "timber on'the burned- . 

over tracts. 

I-Iunms.--None. 

Classijicat·ion of lanW! in T. 10 N., R. 11 E. 

Acres. 

Forested _ . _ ·_ ·_ ... ·- ........ - .. -. ~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 040 

N onforested .. _. ____ .. _ .. _ .. _ .. _ ..... _ ... _ .. _ . __ ..... _. __ ....... __ .. _. _. ___ :. 19, 000 

Badly burned---------------------,------------------------------'--------~-- 12,000 

Logged._ ... __ .. _ .. : .... __ .. : .... _ ... _· __ ·_ ... _ .. : ..... _ ............... _ .. _.... 1, 200 

Agricultural __ .. _. __ ........ _ ... _ ·- _ .: . __ .. ·- ........................ _ .. _ -.- . . . . . 300 

Grazing ... __ ......... _ ..... , . ~. __ .. · ............................ _. .. ,. _. . . . . . . 6, 000 

Bare rocks _ .. _ .. ___ .... _ . ___ . _ .. _. ___ .. __ . __ .. -.-.- ... _ ... _ ..... ___ . _ .. _ ... ___ . 700 

Total stand of timber ·in T. Io N., R. 11 E. 

Species. Mill timber. Pole tmd fuel Total volume of 

timber. all timber. 

Feet B. M. Cubic feet. Cubicfeet. 

Limber pi11e ...... __ . ________ ...... ___ . __ ... ____ .. __ .... ____ ~. __ __ 200,000 200,000 

Lodgepole pine .. __ . __ . ___ .... __ .. __ .. ______ . _______ ........ ___ .. __ 3,000,000 3,000,000 

Red fir. __ ........... _______ ...... _........... . .. .. . 3, 000, 000 2,500,000 3,040,000 

Engelmann spruce ......... ___ ...... _ ......... __ .... 850, 000 730,000 883,000 

Total. _ ..... __ .... ____ ........ _ ...... ___ .. _ .. _ 3,850,000 6,430,000 7,123,000 

------
•. 

DESCRIPTIONS OF. TOWNSHIPS. 29 

Composition of forest in T. 10 N., R. 11 E., including trees of all .species with basal diameters of 3 inches 

and upward. 

Per cent.· 

Limber pine _________ ·······-·------.--·-·············------------·--·-·········· 3 

Lodgepole pine ............................•..................... -... o ••••••. - • • • 8 

Yell ow pine . ___ .... _ ... _ .. _ ...... _ .................................. Sc;:tttered trees. 

Red fi~ .... _ ...... : ......... ·_ ..... : .......................... ·_ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 . 

Engelma!ln spruce ............................................... -..... -..... -.. 5 · 

TowNSHIP 10 NmnH, RANGE 12 EAST. 

Topogr·aphy.-The township is situated on the southern or Musselshell slope 

of the Little Belt Meuntains. . The northern half consists of steep, castellated 

spurs and narrow, rocky canyons; the southern half comprises a rolling foothill 

region. The average altitude is 6,000 feet. 

j}fining.-None. 

Soil.-Gravelly loam, with gumbo m the southern poi·tions: 

Agricalt1[ral adaptability.-Owing to lack of· water and to its rolling character the region is not adapted to··agricultural pursuits. 

Gmzing aapacity.-All the foothill region and many of the slopes in the 

northern sections are essentially :pasture land, and have been so utilized. The 

. pasture land has been badly overgrazed. , 

Drainage conditions.~The. outflow from the township· is insignificant. 

Very ' little originates· within its boundaries, and the stream beds are dry 

throughout most of the year. 

Tmvns and settlements.---::None. 

Formst conditions~-The forest IS ·limited to tracts· in the northern areas of 

the district and consists of thin hues and stands of red fir in the canyons and on 

the northern and western slopes. Mhed with the red fir are small proportions 

of yellow pine, limber pine, and lodgepole. pine. In the extreme northwest 

corner of . the township the highest spurs carry small stands of lodgepoie pine 

and Engelmann spruce: The timber is stocky and limby and is difficult of 

access for logging operations, owing to steep slopes and narrow canyons. 

lYoodlands.-The southern portion o£ the township carries scattered trees 

and small _stands composed of limber and yellow pine. The growth is so sparse 

that it does not properly come )Vithin the woodland classification. 

Otttting.-Small tracts in the foothill areas, in the scattered woodland growth, 

have been cut over. 

B'urns.-Exten&ive fires have devastateu the northern areas in recent years, 

involving complete destruction of the timber on the burned-over tracts. 
30 LITTLE BJ<]LT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

Reprod~tctio1t.-The reproductive capacity ·of the forest is low. There is 

little young growth in the green stands and practically none on the burns. 

Red fir is the chief species in the restockage. 

Undergrowtl~.-Very little. 

Litter.-Light; the fire-killed timbar IS mostly standing. 

I£umus.-None. 

Classijication of lands in T. 10 N., R. 12 E. 

Forested 

Acres. 

6,400 

Nonforested ...................................................... _ .......... 16, 540 

Badly burned . _............................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 000 

Logged (culled) ............... _ ................................ ; ....... _ . . . . 1, 000 

Agricultural . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . None. 

Grazing ........................ ........................... _ ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 000 

Bare rocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 540 

Total stand of timber in T. 10 N., R. 12 E. 

Species. Mill timber. Pole and fuel Total volume of 

timber. all tilnber. 

-------------------1----------'-------l-------

Feet B. M. Oubicjeet. Oubicjeet. 

Limber pine ..................................................... . 300,000 300,000. 

Lodgepole pine .................................................. . 80,000 80,000 

Yellow pine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800, 000 

Red fir............................................. 6,000,000 

-------------- 144,000 

4,000,000 5,080,000 

Engelmann spruce ................................. . 2,000,000 500,000 860,000 

Total .................................. '...... . 8, 800,000 4,880,000 6,464,000 

Cornpwntion of forest in T. 10 N., R. 12 E., including trees of all species with basal diameters of S inches 

and upward. 

Per cent. 

Limber pine ................................................ : .................. 5 

Lodgepole pine................................................................ 3 

Yellow pine ................................................. -~................ .3 

Red fir .. ~.· ............ , ..................... .:-=-:-:-::-.--:-_:-: ......................... 84.7 

· Subalpine fir ... -...... _._- ..... ,-.·: .. ·.............................................. 1 

Engelmar1n spruce ....................................... _........ . ... ; ... ~... 6 

TowNSHIP 10 NoRTH, RANGE 13 EAS'l'. 

Topo,q-raphy.-This township forms the southeast corner of the reserve, and 

consists of a rolling foothill region on the southern slope of the Little Belt 

Mountains, with an average elevation of 5,500 feet . 

.L1fim:ng.-None. 
c I 

DESCRIPTIONS OF T()WNSHIPS. 31 

So-il.- -Thin, g-ravelly loam; alkaline g-umbos in the valley bottoms. 

Ag1·ic1tltwral adaptabil,ity.-The tract is too rolling and has no water :for 

irrigation purposes, and _hence is not adapted to agricultural pursuits.·· 

Grazing capacity.-The township is essentially a g-razing one. It has been 

closely sheeped and otherwise pastured, and its _present pasturage value is 

accOTdingly low. 

Drainage con(Utions.-The run-off is insignificant. Most of the creeks and 

ravines are dry during the greater portion of the year, and carry water only 

in the spring. 

To1.0ns and settlements.-The settlements are limited to scattered sheep shacks. 

Fo1'est condition.-The township contains no forested land. 

Woodland.-Small tracts scattered throughout the township bear a very thin 

growth of red fir and limber pine of no value except for fuel. 

C'tdtinq.-Culled over for farm use. 

B'tt?'ns.-None. 

Reproduction.-Very scanty. The stands will, however, slowly increase in 

density and extent if fires are kept down and sheep'ing excluded, but the tract 

can never become :forested owing to climatic conditions a_nd soil aridity. 

llndergrowtlb.-Extensive mats of Juniperus procumbens occur throughout. 

Lt'tte?'.-None. 

Hwmus.-None. 

Class-ification of lands in T. 10 N., R. 13 E. 

Acres. 

Forested __ .. __ . __ ........ ___ ... _ .. _ .. ____ . _____ ...... __ ... _. ____ . __________ . None. · 

\Voodland. -- .. -----.-----.- ___ ... ----------- ____________ ------ _____ __ _ ___ ___ 1, 040 

Nontimbered _. ___ .. ________ .... ___________________________ -------- _______ ..• 22,000 

Badly burned _ .... _ .... _ ..... _ .. _. _ . ____ . ___ ... ____ . ___ . __________ . ________ • None. 

Logged (culled) ............ _ .. _ .. _ .... _ ... ___ .... __ ...... ___ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 800 

Agricultural . _ ..... _ .. _. _ ... ____ . ___ . _ .... ___ . _____ .... __ . _. _ . _. ______ . _____ . None. 

Grazing -.................... _ ..... _ ~ __ . ___ ... _. __ . _ ..... _ ...... _ .... __ .... _. 22, 000 

Total stand of timber in T. 10 N., R. 1.'1 E. 

Species. 

Limber pine._ ....... ----.----- ...... ------ ...... ____ .· .... . 

Red fir .... _ ......................... ____ . _ . ____ . ___ . _ . __ • _ 

TotaL ........ ___ .... __ .. _______ . ___ ....... __ .... -.- .. 

Mill timber. 

Feet B. Jr. 

None. 

None. 

None. 

Pole and fuel Total volume timber~- . of nll timber. 

Cubic feet. 

25,000 

85,000 

110,000 

Cubic feet. 

25,000 

85,000 

llO, 000 
32 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOR.EST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

Composition of woodlcmd growth in T. 10 N., R. 13 E., induding trees. of all species with basal d·iameters 

of 8 inches and upward. 

.Per cent. 

Limber pine ........ , ............................ __ .... __ .. -- ... -- -- -- ... 7 •.• __ • 15 

Red fir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 85 

TowNSHIP 11 NoRTH, HANGE 9 EAsT. 

TopoqrapAy.-Of this township only the east half, or· 11,520 acres, 1s m the 

reserve. At the head of Richmond Creek, in the northeast corner of the township, 

the main range of the Little Belts breaks down into a. low gap, and forms a 

broad flat, holding a marshy lake that discharges in~o both the Judith and the 

Musselshell drainage. The township has an average elevation of 6,800 feet .. 

. Jfininq.--None. 

8oil.-Deep peaty loam in the marshy area, limestone ~nd quarb:ite debris 

elsewhere. Small quantities of bowlder drift are scattered over the Rlopes of 

the ridges and in the canyons. 

Aqricultural adaptabiUty.-The district contains no arable land. 

Grazinq capacity.-The marshy tracts, 250 to 300 acres in all, are used for 

pastures and hay meadows. In addition to these there are grassy fire glades, 

amounting· to 1,800 acres, on the summit of the main range and along its upper 

slopes. 

Drainaqe condit·ions.-The outflow from the township is small. Most of it 

is discharged into the ,Judith drainage, only an inconsiderable portion flowing 

south into the Musselshell basin. 

Towns and settlements.-None. Hay claims are located on the marshy tracts, 

but nobody maintains a residence on them. 

]i'orest cond·itions.-The forest along the main range consists of scattered copses 

of limber pine, subalpine fir, and Engelmann spruce set in grassy iire glades. The 

southern slopes carry stands of red fir, spruce, and small quantities of yellow 

pine. On the northern· slopes lodgepole pine, in nearly pure stands and very 

thickly stocked, is the prevailing species. The tim her is small, scrubby, and lim by. 

It is difficult of access from the northern side of the range, but is readily reached 

from the southern slopes. 

Outtinq.-Small quantities have been cut here and there on the lower slopes 

south of the main range and in the northeast corner of the township. 

Bu:rns.-The grassy glade::~ on the summit and slopes of the main range 

represent ancient burns which have not yet been reforested. In the southern 

portion 50 per cent of the timber over 1,000 acres has been destroyed by recent 

fires. 
DESCRIPTIONS OF TOWNSHIPS. 33 

Reprod·uction.-Deficient and scanty at high elevations in the subalpine forest 

and on the ancient burns, likewise in the close set lodgepole-pine stands on the 

northern slopes. There is a moderate amount, of young growth on the southern 

slopes, where red fir forms the leading species. 

Undergrowth.-Light. 

Litter.-Small amount in the lodgepole-pine forest; little elsewhere. 

Hurnus.-Very thin oi· altogether lacking. 

Classification of lands in T. 11 N., R. 9 E. 

Acres. 

Forested.------ _______ . __ . ________ . ____________________ . ______ . _________ . __ ._ 9, 470 

Nonforested .. _____ . __ . __ . ______ .. _________ . _________ . __________ . ______ . _ _ _ _ _ _ 2, 050 

Badly burned .. _ ..... __ ... _ .... __ ......... __ .. _ ... _. __ .. -... _ ... __ . __ ... ___ ... 1, 000 

Logged ___ ... _ . ___ . __ ....... __ ....... _____ ... _ . _ . ____ . _ . ___ .... __ . ________ . _ . None. 

Grazing •• __ .. __ ........ __ ....... ___ ~ ........ __ ........ _ ... _ ..... ______ .... _ _ 2, 050 

Total stand of timber in T. 11 N., R. 9 E. 

Species. Mill timber. 

Feet B. Jl. 

Limber pine ......... _ ......... _. _ .................. _. __ .. _ ... _ .. _ 

Lodgepole pine·---~-----------···;··---------------- 1,100,000 

Red fir • _ ..... _ ..... _ ... __ .................. ___ . __ .. 5, 000, 000 

Engelmann spruce ......... : .............. _ ......... . 

Total ... __ . _ ... ~ _ . __________ .. _______ , ______ . 

3,200,000 

9,300,000 

Pole and fuel Total volume of 

timber. all timber. 

C1tbicjeet. Cubic feet. 

890,000 890,000 

5,000,000 5,198,000 

2,000,000 2,900,0CO 

850,000 1,426,000 

8,740,000 10,414,000 

C01hposition of forest in T. 11 N., R. 9 E., indud:ing tues of ull species with b_asal diameters of 3 inches 

and upward. 

Per cent. 

Limber pine ..... _ ........ _____ ..... ____ .......... _ ......... · .. __ ... _ .. __ .... _ _ _ _ 8 

Lodgepole pine __ . _ ... _ .. _ ............... · .... ____ ..... _ .. ____ .. _ ..... _____ . . . . . . 40 

Red fir. ___ ........ _ ...................... _ ... _ ....... ___ .......... __ ... . . . . . . . . 40 

Subalpine fir ..................... _ ............................................................. _ ...... -. ............ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2 

Engelmann spruce ......... ~ ................. _ ......... ____ ............. ·........ 10 

TowNsHIP n NoRTH, RANGE 10 EAsT. 

Topogmphy.-The central and southern areas of the township are situated 

on the summit of the Little Belt Mountains. The summit is here a broad, 

plateau-like area. It abo1,1nds in shallow depressions and low combs and ridges, 

partly composed of rock in place, partly of drift material-gravel and bowlders. 

Along the south .line of the township the plateau breaks off sharply by steep 

spurs and deep canyo~s to the Musselshell drainage. The northern parts of the 

9576--No. 30-04-3 
34 LITTLE BELT MOUN'L'AINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

township consist of slopes with easy grades, descending from the plateau to the 

narrow and shallow canyon of oouth .Fork of Judith River, which intersects this 

part of the district. 

JJfinir1g.-None. 

Soil.-Deep loam m the marshy depressions of the plateau; gravelly and 

stony on the ridges and slopes. _ 

Agrioulttbral adaptabitity.-No part of the township is cultivable. 

Grazing oapacity.-The township is forested tht'Oughout and has no grazing 

areas . 

.Drainage c()nrll:tions . ._ The northern and central portions · of the township 

abound in marshy depressions, springs, and points of seepage, which give rise to 

one of the principal tributaries of South Fork of Judith River. The southern 

slopes, draining into. the Musselshell basin, shed very little water. 

Towns and settlements.---'-None. " 

Forest conditions.-Except where ravaged by fire, the township is covered 

with an extremely close-set forest of nearly pure-growth lodgepole pine, varying 

in age from 50 to 200 years. Small amounts _of red fir occur on the southern 

slopes of the district, but the aggregate volume of this species is small in 

comparison with that of the prevailing lodgepole pine. 

Otdting.-None. 

Burns.-ln the southern areas nearly 5 sectio~s have been burned over and 

the forest destroyed to the extent of 95 per cent. 

Reproduction. -Practically none, owing to the excessively close-set stands 

which· are stocked to their utmost capacity. 

Undergrowtl~.-Very light. 

Litter.-Great quantities of dead aud fallen timber have accumulated in the 

stands of green forest, while the burned-over areas are choked with the firekill~d timber thrown down by heavy winds. 

Humus.-Thin layers of pine needles. 

Classification of lands ·in T. 11 N., R 10 E. 

Acres. 

Forested. ____ ....... ___ ...... _. __ .... ___ . ____ --~--- •.. ___ ._ ........ ___ .....•. 20,000 

N onforested . ___ ..... _ .. __ ... _ ..... ___ ........... __ ...... _ .. ___ ..•...•... __ . . 3, 040 

Badly burned .. _. ___ ....... _____ ..•.. ______ ...•.•.... _ ....•••. __ . ____ ....... _ 3, 000 

Logged _____ ... _ .... ___ ...... _ ... _ .•........ __ ...•.•.•... __ ..•.•.••... _ ..... _ None. 

Agricultnral.. __ . ___ ... _ .. _. __ ..•.. ____ ...•••.••• _ ••.••••.•••.. __ .......... __ . None. 

Grazing .. __ ............•... __ . .!":_ •• .,_ ••••••• _ •••••••••• __ ._ ••••••••••• _._ ..•.•• None. 
DESCRIPTIONS OF TOWNSHIPS. 35 

Total stand of timber in T. 11 N., R. 10 E. 

Species. Mill timber. Pole and fuel Total volume of 

timber.. all timber. 

Feet B. 1tf. Oubicjeet. Ouhicjeet. 

'Limber pine ..................................................... . 500,000 500,000 

Lodgepole pine........................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 000, 000 70,000,000 71,800,000 

Red fir.............................................. 2, 000,000 2,000,000 2,360,000 

· Englemann spruce................................... 1, 000, 000 3,500,000 3,680,000 

Total. . . . .. . . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . . .. . .. . .. . .. 13, 000, 000 76,000,000 78,340,000 

Composition of forest in T. 11 N., R. 10 E., incl'Uding trees of all species with basal diameter-s of 3 inchea 

and upward. 

Per cent. 

Limber· pine ....................................................... ;........... 0. 2 

Lodgepole pine ............... -...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91. 8 

Red fir ..................... · ................................................... 5 

Engelmann spruce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

TowNSHIP 11 NoRTH, RANGE 11 EAsT. 

Topography.-The northern and central portions of this township comprise a 

plateau-like tract cut in different directions with gullies and ravines, which constitute the principal eastern water heads of So_uth Fork of .Judith River. The 

southern areas rise in precipitous slopes, forming the northern declivities of the 

Daisy Dean and Haymaker blocks. Most, or all, of the tract is situated on the 

northern slope of the Little Belt main range, and has a mean altitude of 6,800 feet. 

Mining.-None. 

Soil.-Loam of moderate depth, underlain by gravel and bowlder drift. 

Agricultural adaptab£lity.-The town~:;hip contains no arable land. 

Grazing capacity.-Srnall areas in the southern portions and grassy glades 

throughout the balance of the township constitute the pasture lands. No domestic 

animals range in this district. 

Drainage conditions.-The township supplies a moderate amount of run-off to 

the Judith drainage, scarcely any to the Musselshell. It contains no lakes or tarns, 

but is well supplied with springs and marshy places. 

Towns and 8ettlmnents.-The. township contains no settlements. 

Fm'est conditions.-The northem and central ~treas are stocked with an almost 

pure growth of lodgepole pine, set exceedingly· close. Most of it is a pole growth 

50 to 60 years old. In the high southeast portion of the township the forest 

assumes the typical subalpine eomposition. The southern portions hear stands of 

sma.ll, scrubby red fir. 
36 U'l'TLE BELT MOUNTAINS FORES'l' RESERVE, MONTANA. 

Outting.-None. 

B~trns.-There have been extensive fires in southern and eastern portions in 

recent years, and the timber in most cases has been t?tally destroyed. 

Reproduction.-Owing to the excessively close-set stands there is scarcely any 

young growth in the green forest. Restockage on the burned-over areas is as 

yet thin and scattering. 

Und~orq1'owtlt.-Light. 

Litter.-Dead and fallen pole timber is present in large quantities in the 

green fore:,;t and on the burned-over tracts. 

lrum~ts.-None. 

Classification of lands in T. 11 N., R. 11 E. 

Acres. 

Forested _... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . • • 14, 040 

N onforested ...................................................... · ......... _. 9, 000 

Badly burned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . 7, 500 

Logged ............................. :. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . .. . None. 

Agricultural . .. .. . .. • . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . .. None. 

Grazing • .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. . . . .. .. .. . . . . .. . .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. . .. 1, 000 

Bare rocks ................................................... : . . .. . . .. .. . .. . 500 

Total stand of timber in T. 11 N., R. 11 E. 

Species. Mill timber. Pole and fuel Tot.tl volume of 

timber. all timber. 

Feet B. Jf. Oubicjeet. Cubic feet. 

Limber pine .. .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. .......... .. 500,000 500,000 

Lodgepole pine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 000, 000 36,000,000 37,620,000 

Red fir........ . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3, 000, 000 8,000,000 8,540,000 

Subalpine fir ...................................................... . 400,000 400,000 

Engelmann spruce.................................. 2, 000,000 3,000,000 3,360,000 

Total ........................ _ .............. .. 14,000,000 47,900,000 50,420,000 

----··-----·-

Composition of forest· in T. 11 N., R. 11 E., including trees of all ,gpedes with basal ci'iarneters of 3 inches 

and upward. 

Per cent. 

Limber pine .................................................................. 3 

Lodgepole .pine.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81. 5 

Reel fir ................ ·_ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

Subalpine fir.................................................................. . 5 

Engclmen spruce.............................................................. 5 

TowNSHIP 11 NoRTH, RANGE 12 EAsT. 

Topograplty.-Ail of the central and most of the southern, areas of the 

district are situated -on the summit of Haymaker block, an uplift of limestone 

with a level or gently rolling surface and which here forms the :,;umrnit of the 

\ 
DESCRIPTIONS OF TOWNSHIPS. 37 

Little Belt Mountains. Its altitude varies from 7,200 feet to 7,800 feet. In the 

northern part of the townsh1p the block breaks off with precipitous cliffs and 

scarps to the foothills of .Judith River basin, forming a series of bold, prominent 

bluffs which are conspicuous landmarks of the region. Along the south line of the 

township the block is indented w1th the heads of mvincs and canyons belonging to 

the Musselshell dramage. The block is cut in two near its east line by Haymaker 

Creek, a small stream sunk in a canyon 1,000 to 1,500 feet in depth, with sheer 

sides and rough, bowlder-strewn bottom. The canyon cut:;. through the main range 

of the Little Belt Mountains, almost at right angles with its axis, and com,titutes 

a huge gap in the divide between South Fork of Judith River and Musselshell 

River, tributaries of the two &treams named rising within a few feet of each 

other m the gap. 

Jriining.-None. 

Soil.-Thin, gravelly loam, chiefly comminuted limeAtone debris. 

Aqricult1tral ailaptab1:lity.-The township contains no arable land. 

Grazinq capacity.-More than half of the township is grass covered. The 

grassy tracts lie mostly on the summit of the block and owe their origin to 

ancient fires and deficient restoekage. 

Drainctge cond,itiu'l1.s.-The district is remarkahly deficient in. run-off. The 

summit of the block is without &prings, creeks, or points of seepage, and, with 

the exception of Haymaker Creek, the various canyons heading in the township 

are dry during summer and fall. 

Towns und settlements.-Thete are no settlements. 

Forest conditions.-On the summit of the block and at the higher elevations the 

forest consbts of thin lines and small stands of subalpine fir and Engelmann 

spruce :;,eparated by grassy glades. On the northern slopes lodgepole pine is the 

ptevalling tree, set in :;,cattered stands-remnants unconsumed hy fires. On the 

southern declivities the forest is mostly composeJ of red fir, w1th small proportions 

of lodgepole pine in the canyons. The timber is short and stocky and chiefly 

valuable for fuel. Only the southern slopes are aece&sible for cutting or logging 

operations. 

Onttinq.-None. 

Burns.-vVithin recent years the northern and in part the southern areas have 

been swept by extensive fires, which have destroyed 80 per cent of the timber. 

Rep1·odnction.-Seanty throughout. On. the burned areas there is no restocka~e. The subalpine stands are not extending into the ancient fire glades, and in 

the recent burns on the summit of the block there is a manifest tendency to grass 

cover rather than to forest. 
38 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

Undm;growta.-Very light; chiefly trailing juniper scrub. 

Litter.-On the burned areas there is a moderate amount of litter; in the green 

forest there is scarcely any. 

Humus.-None. 

Classification of lands in T. 11 N., R. 1:8 E. 

Acres . 

. Forested •.................. _ ....... _ ..•................... _ .........•••. _ .. _ 5, 800 

N onforested ................... _ ........................... _ •. __ .......•. _ . _ . 17, 240 

Badly burned ............. _· ...... _ ............................•. __ ...•....... 4, 500 

Logged •.•..... -- ........... __ ._ ......................•..... _ .... ___ ..... ___ . None. 

Agricultural ................. __ ... _ . _ .. _ ...... _ .............. __ ..... __ ...•. _ . None. 

Grazing ....................... _. __ . _ .... _ .................. _. _ .. _ ...... _ .... 11, 740 

Bare rocks . _. _ .............. __ ... _. _. _ ...... _ .. _. _. __ ... _ .. __ . _. _. __ . __ . _. _ _ 1, 000 

Total Bland of timb!J)' in T. 11 N., R. 12 E. 

Species. Mill timber. Pole and fuel Total volume of 

timber. all timber. 

Feet B. Jf. Cubic feet. Oubiq feet. 

Limber pine ... _ .... _ . _ ............ _ .........•.......•..••..•..... - 800,000 800,000 

Lodgepole pine .. ____ .... _. _ .. _ ... ____ ....... _...... I, 000, 000 580,000 760,000 

Red fir .••••. ___ . __ ... _ ....... _ ........ __ . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 200, 000 2,000,000 2,576,000 

Subalpine fir~._. ___ ...... _ ........ _ ..... _.: ............••....••••. 250,000 250,000 

Engelmann spruce . __ ...... _ ........ __ .. _ .... _.. . . . . 4, 000, 000 4,800,000 5,520,000 

Total .. _ . _ .. ___ . __ . _ . __ . _ .. _ . ___ . _ . _ .. _______ _ 8,200,000 8,430,000 9,906,000 

Composition of forest in T. 11 N., R. 12 E., including trees of all species with basal diameters of 8 inches 

and upward. 

Per cent. 

Limber pine--------------------·----····-··--···--·--····-----------·----···· 10 

Lodgepole pine .... __ ..... ...... ... . .... ...... .......... ............ .... ...... 7 

Red fir ........ _ .......... : ...................................... _ ........... _. 35 

Subalpine fir ..... _ ......... _.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

.Engelmann spruce ................................ ---- ...... -·----·-·---....... 40 

TowNSHIP 11 NoRTH, RANGE 13 EAsT. 

Topography.-This township occupies most of the Twin Peak block. In the 

central areas it comprises a plateau-like region-the summit of tho block. The 

.southern portions are cut by many canyons indenting the edge of the plateau 

and by broken spurs stretching south into the Musselshell drainage. The northern 

sections are situated on the very steep bold front with which the plateau breaks 
DESCRIPTIONS OF TOWNSHIPS. 39 

off to South Fork of Judith basin. The average altitude of the township is 

6,600 feet, the summit of the plateau in some places rising to elevations of 

1,400 feet. 

Mining.-None. 

Soil.-Thin, gravelly loam. 

Agricultural adaptabJlity.-No arable land. 

Grazing capacity.-Most of the to~nship is es~entially grazing land, all of 

the southern slopes and most of the high central ones being covered with grass. 

Portions of the township, especially the southern sections, have long been used 

as a range for cattle and sheep . 

.Drainage conditions.-The canyons are dry through most of the year. There 

is a small outflow after the spring break-up, lasting It month or two. 

Towns wnd settltflnents.~-None. 

Forest conditions.-The forest consists of thin lines and scattered copses of 

timber on some of the higher slopes and over the summit of the plateau. It is 

composed of red fir at the lower altitudes and spruce and subalpine fir· at the 

higher. The timber is of value mostly as fuel; it is generally inaccessible. 

Cutting.-None. 

Burns.-The summit of the plateau area in the central sections of the township has been badly burned within th~ last eight or ten years. The fires have 

spread to the northern breaks, and have consumed most of the thin forest. 

ReproducNon.--Restockage is deficient throughout. The tendency of the 

burned-over tracts is to become grassed instead of reforested. The wide grassy 

non-timbered areas on the plateau summit represent ancient fire glades, and 

exhibit no evidence of again coming under forest cover. 

Vndergrowtlt.-Very little. 

Litter.-A small amount in the burned-over areas. 

Hum1ts.-None. 

Classification of lands in T. 11 N., R. 13 E. 

Acres. 

Forested _ •. - __ . _- _______ . __ .. ____ - __ . _____ . _______________ . _. _________ . _ _ _ _ _ 7, 000 

Nonforested - _-.-- ____ . _. ____ . _.-.- __ . _. _-. _____ . __________ - ____ . _________ . _. 16, 040 

Badly burned ______ -------------- __ ---------. ______________ --·_______________ 4,000 

Logged- -.•. - _ ... -.- •• -••.•• _ •. -.••• -. _. _-. _. _______ . ____ . _-.- ____________ . _ _ None. 

Agricultural . _______ . ______ • ____________________ . __________ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ~one 

Grazing ___ .-.- _ ·_ •. -.. - ____ .. - _ .. _- .••• - _ • __ . _. __ . ___ . _______ - _ ... ____ .. _ .. _ _ 11, 040 

Bare rocks ----------------------------.----- ____ ••.... ____ -------- ___ . _ _ _ _ _ _ 1, 000 
• 

40 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS :FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

Total .~land of timber in 1: 11 N., R. 13 E. 

Pole 1tnd fuel Total volu~e of 

timber. nil timber. Species. Mill timber. 

Feet B. M. Gubicfeet. Oubicfeet. 

Limber pine ....................... _ ...... _ ................... ___ . _ 500,000 500,000 

Lodgepole pine._ ..... _ .. ___ ....... _. ____ . _____ ._. ______ .. _. ___ .. __ 100,000 100,000 

· Red fir ...................... _ ............ __ ... . . . . . . 1, 000, 000 800,000 980,000 

Subalpine fir ................................................. _ ... . 100,000 100,000 

Engelmann sprnee................................... 5, 000, 000 4,000,000 4,900,000 

Total ............. _ .... · .. _. ___ ... _. ____ .. _ ... . 6,000,000 5,500,000 6,580,000 

Composition of forest in T. 11 N., R. 13 E., including trees of all species with basal diameters of 3 inches 

and upward. Per cent, 

Lhnber pme ................... _ ............ ~................................... 4 

Lodgepole pine ........ :........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

Re9. fir .................... c... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

Subalpine fir .•.......... -.·..................................................... 11 

Engelmann spruce.. .. .. . . .. . . .. .. . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . .. . .. . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . 76 

TowNSHIP 12 NoRTH, RANGE 9 EAsT. 

Topog1·aphy.-The western parts of the district are situated on the summit 

of the main divide of the Little Belt Mountains, which here is a broad, flat or 

gently rolling tract, elevated 7,800 feet to 8,000 feet above sea level. The central 

and eastern areas comprise broad, swelling ridges projecting eastward into the 

drainage basin of Lost Fork of Judith River and of steep, narrow spurs trending 

northward into the basin of Middle Fork of Judith River. The canyons of 

the Middle Fork separating the different spurs are generally narrow and rocky, 

while those forming the head of Lost Fork, although narrow, have a remarkably 

long and gradual rise to their heads in the main range in the western part of the 

township. 

Jriining.-None. 

Soil.-More or less comminuted limestone debris with thin· admixtures of 

loam. 

Agricttltwral adaptability.-The township contains no land suitable for agricultural pursuits, as the altitude is too great. 

G'i'azing capacity.-The township is dotted with grass-covered 

s~mmit of the main divide and on the slopes of the canyons. 

glades on the 

These glades, 
DESCRIPTIONS OF TOWNSHIPS. 41 

without exception1 mark ancient burns which have become grass covered instead 

of restocking with forest. Cattle are pastured in them. 

Draima,qe conditions.:::-The outflow from the township is small and is carried 

chiefly by Lost Fork1 which here is not much larger than a rivulet. 

Towns and settlernents.-None. 

Forest conditions.-The ·forest is mostly a pole growth~ with an intermixing 

of older trees. At the higher elevations it occurs in scattered copses and thin 

lines, mostly composed o£ spruce, limber pine, and subalpine fir. At the lowet· 

elevations the northern slopes carry moderately close-set and continuous stands, 

with red fir as the chic£ species, while on the Routhern slopes and bottoms o£ 

canyons the stands are sparsely stocked and contain varying percentages o£ 

lodgepole pine. The timber has chiefly a fuel value. It is accessible by way of 

Lost Fork Valley. 

Outtinq.-None. 

B'urns.-Badly burned areas occur m the northwest corner of the township 

m the Middle Fork drainage. The fires probably occurred about five or six 

years ago . 

. Reproduction.--The young growth is scanty at the highest elevations, and 

there are few extensions o£ the forest into the ancient burns. At the middle . ) 

and lower elevations the stands are now so fully stocked that further additions 

are impossible. 

Underqrowth.-There is a moderate amount o£ undergrowth, consisting 

largely o£ juniper shrubs. 

Litter.-Dead and fallen timber, due to overcrowding, is pre~:>ent in moderate 

quantities in the close-stocked stands at the lower and middle elevations. In 

the subalpine forest there is very little litter. 

Humus.-The northern slopes have a slight ground· cover of moss and pine 

needles. Elsewhere the humus layer is lacking. 

Classification of lands in T. 12 S., R. 9 . E. 

Acres. 

Forested . . . . .. . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . • . . . .. . . . . . . . .. .. .. 16, 040 

Nonforested ....................................... __ ...... _ ... . . . . . . . . . ..... 7, 000 

Badly burned ............. : ............................ _ ..... _. _ .. _ ........ _ 600 

Logged ............................................... _ ................ _ .. _.. None. 

Agricultural .............. ____ .: ............................................. None. 

Grazing ...................................................................... 6;000 

Bare rocks----·-··-·-·-··--·-····-··-~-----·······--·····--·--·······-······ 400 
42 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

Total stand of timber in T. 12 N., R. 9 E. 

Species. Mill timber. Pole and fuel Total volume of timber .. all timber. 

Feet B. M. Cubic feet. Cubicjeet. 

Limber pine ............................................. : ....... . 600,000 600,000 

Lodgepole pine. • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . • . I, 300, 000 6,000,000 6,234,000 

Red fir... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 000, 000 9,000,000 9,720,000 

Subalpine fir ........................................•......•.•... 350,000 350,000 

Engelmann spruce .............................. , . • . 1, 000, 000 1,500,000 1,680,000 

TotaL ..... _ ................................. . 6,300,000 17,450,000 18,584,000 

Compos1:tion of forest in T. 12 N., R. 9 E., including treef of all species with basal diameters of 8 inches 

and upward. 

Per cent. 

Limber pine.................................................................... 9 

Lodgepole pine..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 

Red fir ............ __ ........................................................... 50 

Subalpine fir .............................. ·'·................................... 1 

Engelmann spruce.......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

A~pen and cottonwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scattered trees. 

TowNSHIP' 12 NORTH, RANGE 10 EAsT. 

Topograpl~y.-The township is in the middle and lower portions of Lost 

Fork of Judith River drainage_ basin. At the junction of Lost Fork and Middle 

Fork of Judith River, near the northeast corner of the township, the canyon of 

Lost Fork is contracted to a narrow gorge between castellated cliffs of limestone. 

It soon widens, and in its course across the central portion of the township, 

from west to east, develops a canyon or valley three-fourths mile to li miles wide. 

The slopes in ~he township are mostly steep, and the upper breaks are generally 

lined with series of limestone cliffs. 

Hininq.-None. 

Soit.-Limestone debris, with thin admixtures of loamy matter . 

.Aqricultural adaptabiUty.-Small meadows and glades in the bottoms of Lost 

Fork Canyon are tillable. No lands arc actually under cultivation. 

Grazinq capacity.-The pasture areas of the township consist of grassy 

glades and hillsides in Lost Fork Canyon. They are closely pastured by cattle. 

Towns and settlements.-The township contains no towns. ]Jl Lost Fork Canyon two ranchers have established themselves. They cultivate no land, apparently 

holding the tracts for-the purpose of controlling the grazing areas of the canyon. 
DESCRIPTIONS OF TOWNSHIPS. 43 

Forest conditions.-The forest consists mostly of red fir of small dimen'sions, 

close set on the eastern slopes and thinly stocked on the western. The trees are, 

short and limby from base to summit. Spruce, limber pine, and lodgepole pine 

are mingled with red fir, particularly in the canyon bottoms and on the summits of the ridges. Near the junction of Lost and Middle forks small proportions of low, scrubby, yellow pine are mixed with the red fir. 

Cutting.-Small quantities have been cut in Lost Fork Canyon for farm use. 

Bttrns.-Badly burned areas occur throughout the township: The destruction 

of the forest on these tracts has been complete. A systematic attempt was made 

in the summer of 1902 to destroy all the forest in the Lost Fork drainage and 

incidentally as much m~He on adjacent areas as would burn. Lost Fork Valley 

. was fired in thousands of places, but owing to sudden showers the fires did 

not spread. 

Reprod-uction.-Young growth is scanty on the southern slopes throughout 

the district and also at subalpine heights. There is none on· the burned areas. 

On the northern slopes there is a moderate amount of i'estockage. In many of 

the red-fir stands the trees occupy the ground so fully ·that· no further young 

growth is possible. Red fir is the leading species in the restockage., followed by 

lodgepole pine. Young growth of yellow pine is very sparse. 

Undergrowth.-Juniper scrub and sagebrush form most of the undergrowth. 

It is small in quantity in the better and more closely stocked stands. On the 

grassy western slopes bordering Lost Fork Canyon the sagebrush is often very 

rank and dense. 

Litter.-Light except in the burns, where considerable quantities of dead 

and fallen timber litter the ground. 

Humus.-None. 

Classification of lands in T. 12 N., R. 10 E. 

Acres. 

Forested .. ____ ...... ------------ .................. · .......................... 13,240 

Nonforested ............. : ........... --·---·- .. ,. ...... ...................... 9, 800 

Badly burned-------------·-- ____ ....... ----- ..... ------------·--·-------··. 4, 500 

Logged .......................................................... ~. . . .. . . . . • . None. 

Agricultural ..........•................................................ _ .... _ 800 

Grazing ............................................................ __ ... __ . . 3, 600 

Bare rocks.................................................................. 900 
44 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTAN.A. 

Total Htand of timber in T. 12 1V., R. 10 E. 

Species. Mill timber. Pole and fuel Total volume of 

timber. all timber. 

-

Feet B. M. Cubicjeet. Cubicjeet. 

Limber pine ................................. . ------- .. . -- .. -.. -- .. -.. -.. 500,000 500,000 

Lodgepole pine .............................. . ------- 1, 500,000 6,000,000 6,270,00 0 

Yellow pine ...................... : ......... :. -·----- 300,000 100,000 154,000 

Red fir ...................................... . ------- 7,000,000 11,000,000 12,260, 00( 

Subalpine fir ................................ . ------- -------------- 150,000 150,000 

Engelmann spruce....... . ................. . ------- 1,500,000 800,000 1,070,000 

Total. ................................. . ------- • 10, 300, 000 18,550,000 20,404,00 0 . 

Composition of forest in T. 12 N., R. 10 E., including trees .of all species with basal diameters of 3 inches 

and upward. 

Per cent. 

Limber pine ................................................................... 5 

Lodgepole pine ................................................................. 20 

Yellow pine................................................................... .1 

Red fir.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 

Subalpine fir . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 9 

Engelmann spruce.............................................................. 5 

TowNsHn, 12 NoRTH, RANGE 11 EAsT. 

Topog1·aphy.-This township comprises a mass of low broken spurs inclosing 

the lower portion of the canyon of South Fork of Judith River on the north 

and south. The average altitude is 6,000 feet . 

.1r£ining.-None. 

Soil.-Very_ thin gravelly loam on the slopes and summits of the ridges, 

deeper loam in the valleys . 

..ilgric1tltw·al adaptability. -Small tracts in the canyon of South Fork of 

Judith River are arable. Outside of this valley the township has no arable land. 

Graz1:ng capacity.-Grassy glades and nonforested or thinly forested slopes 

afford a limited amount of cattle range. 

Towns and settlements.-There are one or two ranch locations on the agricultural lands in South Fork Valley. 

Forest conditions.-The forest in the northern half consists of red fir and 

small proportions of yellow pine. It occurs in scattered stands, separated by extensive burns, and is low and scrubby throug·hout. The forest in the southern tracts 

is set in close stands, none oceupying ·a large acreage, and is composed of red fir, 

lodgepole pine, and spruce, mostly as pole growths. The timber is accessible 

from the valley of South Fork of Judith River. 
D]:SORIPTIONS OF TOWNSHIPS. 45 

Outting.-The forest along the immediate valley of the South Fork has been 

culled 10 to 25 per cent. 

Burns.-The entire township has b€en ravaged by fire within the last eight 

or ten years, and the present stands of forest are mere patches between burned 

areas. 

Reproduction.-The restockage is scanty on the burned-over tracts. Red fir 

is the chief species in the reforestation. 

Undm·growth.-Very light. 

LitteT.~There is a large accumulation of dead and fallen timber in the 

burned areas. In the green forest there is a moderate amount of litter. 

I£umus.-Lacking or very thin. 

Clas:rijication of lands in T. 12 N., R. 11 E. 

Acres. 

Forested . _ •.•. __ ...... ___ .................................................. ·_ 6, 040 

N onforested ..................................................... _ ........ _ ... 17, 000 

Badly burned . _ ... _.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ .. _... . . . . . . . . 13, 000 

Logged (culled) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 000 

Agricultural .•.•... _ ............................................. _ ........ __ . 800 

Grazing ...• ___ • _ • • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 3, 200 

Total stand of timber in T. 12 N., R. 11E. 

Species. Mill timber. Pole anrl fuel Total volume of 

timber. all timber. 

Feet B .• ~r. Oubicjeet. Ollbic feet. 

Limber pine.---·· _______ .. __ ._ ..... __ .. _. ____ .. ____ ......... _. ___ _ 100,000 100,000 

Lodgepole pine ... _ ........ _ ......... ____ . _ .... __ . __ . __ .• __ • _ .... _ 1,800,000 1,800,000 

Yellow pine. _____ ...... _ ......... _._ ..... __ . __ ._... 200,000 -.......... -------- 36,000 

Red fir ....•..... -.. - ................... _. _. _. __ . _. _ 5, 000, 000 8,500,000 9,400,000 

Engelmann spruce ....... __ ........ _ . ___ .... ___ . __ .. 1,700,000 1,000,000 1,306,000 

TotaL ... _ .... _ ............. _ .• ___ .. __ ..... _ . ·- 6,900,000 11,400,000 12,642,000 

Compo:rition of forest ·in T. 1'2 N., R. 11 E., including trees of all species with.basal diameters of 3 inches 

and upward. 

Per cent. 

Limber pine .................... __ .. __ ....... __ . ______ . ___ ..... ____ . ____ ... ____ 1 

Lodgepole pine ............ ____ ....... _ .. ___ . _ .. __ . ___ ... _ . ____ . _. _ . __ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 10 

Yellow pine ...... ------ ____ ................... ____ ...... ____ .. __________ ... ___ . 8 

Red fir ...................... _ ..... _ ........ ___ .... _ ........... ___ .. ___ ... ___ . . 80 

Engelmann spruce ............ _ ..... ______ ........ ____ ... _____ . _ ... _. _____ . ___ . 8 

Aspen and cotton wood ..•••..• _ • ____ .. _ .• __ . _______ .. ________ . _ .. _____ . __ . _ _ _ _ _ . 2 
46 LITTLE BJ£L'.r MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

TowNSHIP 13 NoRTH, RANGE 8 EAsT. 

Topography.-Tho western and central portions of this township comprise 

level and rolling plateau-like tracts-terraces lying in the angle formed by the 

junction of the main range of the Little Belt Mountains and the Yogo-Porphyry 

Peak ridge. The. terraces border the headwaters of Belt Creek. The eastern 

portions comprise high ridges belonging to the Y ogo ridge system, which in the 

southern tier of sections swing to the west and culminate in Porphyry Peak at an 

altitude of 8,000 feet. The mean elevation of the township is about 7,000 feet. 

The southwest quarter is not included in the forest reserve and the estimates 

apply only to the 17,280 acres within its boundaries. 

M?:ning.-None. 

Soil.-Gravelly loam on the slopes and summits of the higher ridges. Many 

of the creeks head in swampy areas with deep peaty or boggy soil, while the flat 

areas of the terraces arc usually well covered with loam of moderate depth. 

Agricultural adaptabitity.-Owing to the altitude the weather is too cold and 

frosty for agricultural pursuits. 

(hazing capacity.-Small marshy glades at the head of the larger creeks 

and two nonforested so-called parks, with an aggregate area of 2,200 acres, afford 

pasture range. The tracts are but little used. 

DT·ainaqe conditions.-The run-off from the district is large, and is discharged 

by way of Belt Creek northward. No tarns or 1akelets exist, but springs, bogs, 

and creeks are numerous. In this township is one of the principal heads of Belt 

Creek. 

Towns and settlements.-None. 

Forest cond1:tions.-The forest consists of 99 per cent lodgepole pine. Along 

the creek occur small proportions of spruce and on the higher ridges subalpine 

fir and limber pine. The stands are from SO to 150 years of age, and represent 

restockage after sweeping fires. There is little mill- timber, the larger proportion 

of the forest being merely a pole growth. The timber is easy of access by way 

of Belt Creek and its tributaries. 

Outting.-At vH.rious times there have been three sawmills in the district, and 1 

the timber has been logged off an area approximating 5,000 acres. Most of the 

lumber has been used in the town and mines of Neihart, tt few miles distant; 

some has been shipped outside to Great Falls and to other localities. 

Burns.-Small tracts, altogether 200 or 250 acres, have been burned over in 

fires of recent years. 

Reproduction.-The amount of young growth present is small. The stands 

are set too close for much seedling restockage to find lodgment. The lodgepole 
DESCRIP'l'IONS OF TOWNSHIPS! 4 7 

pine stands are chiefly old growth and are slowly giving way to Engelmann 

spruce; most of the young growth is of the latter species. 

Und&rg1·owth.-Light. 

Litt&r.-On the cutting areas the amount of litter left by loggers is large. 

There also is much dead and fallen timber in the green stands due to overcrowding. 

fiurnus.-Scanty. 

Classification of lands in T. 18 N., R. 8 E. 

Acres. 

Forested 14,4?0 

Nonforested ..........•.......•........................... · ..... ' .............. 2,800 

Badly burned . . . . .. . . . ... .. • .. . . . ... . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . .. . .. 200 

Logged, including culled tracts........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 000 

Agricultural ..•.. __ , ......................................... o • • • . . . . • . • • . • . . None. 

Grazing •.•.......••..... · ...... ·.............................................. 2, 200 

Bare rocks •..•......................................................... -·-- . . 400 

Total .~tand of timber in T. 18 N., R. 8 E. 

Species. Mill timber. Pole and fuel Total volume of 

timber. all timber. 

-----------

Feet R. Jf. Oubicjeet. Cubic feet. 

Limber pine ..................................... _ ............ __ .. _ 350,000 350,000 

Lodgepole pine .............................. _ . . . ... . . 12, 000, 000 35,, 000, 000 37,160,000 

Red fir ..... _ . . . . . . . . . • . . . • • . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . • . . . . . . . • . 100, 000 250,000 268,000 

Subalpine fir_ ......... _ .......................................... . 450,000 450,000 

Engelmann spruce ...... :. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . .. 3, 000, 000 4,000,000 4,540,000 

--------1--------1 

Total ......................................... . 15,100,000 40,050,000 42,768,000 

Composition of fore.st ·in T. 13 N., R. 8 E., including tJ·eea of all species ·with bawrl diameters of 3 inches 

and ttpward. Per cent. 

Liro ber pine .. , .................... ~ ................. ,......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0. 5 

Lodgepole pine ................................................................ 95 

Red fir ............ __ . __ ........... __ ........................................ __ . 1 

Subalpine fir ...................... ____ ........................ __ ........... _ __ 1. 4. 

Engelmann spruce .......................................... ~......... . . . . . . . . . 3 

TowNSHIP 13 NoRTH, RANGE 9 EAsT. 

TopograpAy.-The main topographic features are long spurs trending eastward 

f~om one of the main divides in . the Little Belt Mountain system-the Y ogo- · 

Porphyry Peak ridge-which also forms the western edge of the township. The 

canyons are deep and narrow, heading with short, steep slopes in the maiu ridge. 

The mean altitude of the ridges is nearly 8,000 feet. 
48 LITTLE BELT MOUNT.AINS FOREST RESERVE, MONT AN A. 

Jlfininq.-Many mining claims are scattered through the district. With the 

exception of a group of copper mines near the head of King Creek they are 

mere prospects. The mines mentioned, although not now in operation, have in 

former years shipped more or less ore. 

Soil.-Thin, gravelly loam. 

Aq1'icultural adaptability.-Owing to its general mountainous character the 

township contains no land suitable for agricultural pursuits. 

Grazing capacity.-All of the higher ridges have grassy summits and are · 

available for cattle ranges. No domestic animals are pastured in the district. · 

Drainage conditions.-The township forms the principal water head of Middle Fork of Judith River, and the outflow is large. The tract contains no lakes 

or tarm;, but is well supplied with springs and creeks. 

Towns and settlements.-Only miners' cabins. 

Forest conditions.-The western half of the township bears forest composed 

m part of pure, very close-set stands of mature lodgepole pine averaging 4,000 

cubic feet of wood to the acre. In places, chiefly in the creek bottoms, spruce 

forms over 50 per cent of the total stand, and lodgepole pine is an inconsiderable factor. The stands in which spruce constitutes over 50 per cent represent 

forest that has not been invaded by fire in the last three hundred years. The 

higher elevations carry thin and irregular stands of lodgepole pine, limber pine, 

and subalpine fir. 'The eastern half of the township is forested with composite 

stands of red fir and lodgepole pine at the lower elevationil on the northern 

slopes, with red fir, yellow and limber pine on the southern slopes, and with 

lodgepole pine, in nearly pure-growth stands, o,n the summits and upper slopes. 

Outting.-Small quantities of timber have been cut by the miners in the 

district for local use .. 

Burns.-The northeast corner contains several large burned areas, while 

smaller tracts, wholly or partly burned over, are scattered throughout the 

' township:.. 

Reproduction.-The close-set stands are fully stocked, and have hardly -any 

young growth. In open stands on the southern slopes Reedling and young Rapling growths are moderately abundant, and will in time assure a better stockage 

than the present. The grasSy summits of the main divides and higher slopes are 

ancient fire glades and are capable of bearing forest; into these tracts subalpine 

species are gradually pushing their way. 

lH~dergrowt!L.-Light, chiefly consisting of juniper scrub. 

Littm·:-:__All the close-set stands are choked with immense quantities -of fallen 

timber killed by overcrowding and natural thinning. 
ll) 

DESCRTPTIONH OF TOWNSHIPS • 49 

.Bimws.-The northern slopes, as a rule, have a moss cover on the forest 

floor, 3 to 6 inches in depth. The southern declivities are mo::;tly bare. 

Classification of lands in T. 13 N., R. 9 E. 

Forested . _______ . ____ . ____ . __ ....... _ .... _ ........ ___ . _____ . __ ....... __ ... __ . 

N onforested _ . ______ ... _ .... ____ ............................... -- -- --- --.----

Badly burned __ . ________ : _________ ... _____________ . _____________ . _ . _________ _ 

Logged .... __ ---:---- ______ -------- _________ ----- ______________ --------. ____ _ 

Acres. 

13,340 

9, 700 

1,800 

None. 

Agricultural. _______ ----------------. ___ ------ _____ .. _______________ ... ------ None. 

Grazing _____ . _______________________________ -. __________________________ · ___ , _ 7, 000 

Bare rocks ________________________________________________ . _____________ . _ _ _ 900 

Total stand of timber ~n T. 13 N., R. 9 E. 

Mill timber. Pole and fuel Total volume of 

timber. all timber. ~pecies 

Feet B. M. Cubic feet. Cubic feet. 

Limber pine._ .• __ .•. _____________________ ._ .. _ ... __________ .•• ___ _ 880,000 880,000 

Lodgepole pine ___ . ___ .. _ .... ___ . ____ .......... ___ .. _ 8, 000, 000 32,000,000 33,440,000 

Red fir ... ____ . ___ .. ___ . ____ . _ ... __ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 000, 000 4,000,000 4,900,000 

Subalpine fir ...... ___ . ____ .•• _____________ . _________ . _______ • ____ _ 400,000 400,000 

Engelmann spruce ...... _____________ ....... _........ 10, 000, 000 6,000,000 7,800,000 

Total __ . _ ... __ . ______________________________ _ 23,000,000 43,280,000 47,420,000 

Composition of forest in T. 13 N., R. 9 E., including trees of all species with basal diamete1·s of 3 inches 

and upwnrd. 

Per cent. Limber pine .. _ ..... ______ . __ ..•.... ______________ ... ______ . ____ . __ .. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 5 

Lodgepole pine._. ____ . __ . __________________________ .. ___ ._ .. ______________ . __ .. 65 

Red fir. __ ... _ ........ ___ .. _____ .. _ . ___ -.. _ '___ . _ . _____ .. ________ . ___ -.-. __ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 6 

Subalpine fir _ .. __________ . ____ ... __________ . _______________________ ·. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 

Engel mann spruce ... _ . _____ . __ ... ___ .. _ . ________ ... ________ .. ______ .. _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 23 

Cotton wood and aspen .................. _ .... _ ... _ .... ____ .. .. . . . . . . Scattered trees. 

TowNSHIP 13 NouTH, RANGE 10 EAsT. 

Topography.-The central areas comprise steep slopes and the summit of a 

plateau-like area, known as Prospect Ridge. The northern sections are cut· by 

the narrow canyon in which flows Yogo Creek, while the southern portions of the 

township are situated in the valley of Middle Fork of Judith River. The slopes 

leading to the ·bottoms of the different canyons are steep. The upper breaks 

usually present lines of towering cliffs eroded into castellated forms, while the 

declivities below the cliffs are strewn with talus accumulations thinly covered 

~ith soil or entirely bare. The summit of the plateau area in the eentral 

9576-No. 30-04-4 

• 
50 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FORES'l' RESERVE, MONTANA. 

portions attains altitudes of 7,000 feet; the mean elevation of the canyon bottoms 

is 5,800 feet. 

J1b;n,ing.-In former years placer mining was carried on in Yogo Canyon; 

the diggings are now abandoned. 

Soil.-Comminuted limestone debris with thin admixtures of loamy matter. 

Ag,ricultural adaptability.-Portions of the bottom:,; of the Middle Fork of 

Judith River are cultivable and are under tillage for the production of hay. 

Th0 total area is 1,000 am·es. 

Grazing cctpacity.-Small glades and open, non-forested, or thinly forested 

hillsides constitute the grazing are~s. They are utilized for :,;tock ranges. 

Drai~age condit,ions.-Most of the lateral canyons of the Yogo and Middle 

Fork of Judith systems, which head within the township, are dry during the 

s~mmer, or carry only insignificant quantities of water. The outflow from 

I 

the township is large, but 'it originates elsewhere; the exten:,;ive fissuring of 

the limestone strata causes most of the water which falls within it to be 

absorbed before it has a chance to enter any of the main channels of flow. 

Towns and settlements.-Settlers occupy the agricultural lands in the Middle 

Fork of Judith Valley. The tract contains no towns. 

Fm·est conditions.-The forest consists of mixed stands of red fir, lodgepole 

pine, :,;pmce, and, on the southern slopes, small proportions of yello\v pine. The 

stands vary in age from 20 to 150 years. Except in the bottoms . of the 

larger canyons the timber is of slender pole dimensions. On the northern declivities the stands are well stocked and close set, while on the southern slopes they 

occur in irregular blocks separated by grassy tract:,;. Along the summits of the 

ridges and on the upper slopes the growth is very low and lim by, due to excessive sterility of soil. The mo.re valuable tract:,; of the forest are readily accessible 

by way of Yogo and Middle Fork of Judith canyons 

Outt1:ng.-The eastern areas of the Middle Fork of ,Judith Valley have been 

logged for mill timber, the cut amounting to 75 per cent. Small tracts along 

Yogo Creek have been more or less culled of the mill and pole timber, the cut 

varying from 5 to 40 pm' cent. 

B't.trns.-The -eastern areas of the township have been badly burned during 

the past thirty-five years. Large areas on the plateau tract were destroyed by 

fire thirty-five years ago; they have been restocked and again burned over within 

the last seven or eight years. 

Reproduction.-Young growth is lacking on the burned-over tracts owing 

to the denuding effects of the fore:,;t fires. In the close-set stands there is a 

• 
DESCRIPTIONS OF TOWNSHIPS. 51 

moderate amount of seedling and young sapling growths. Red fir is the leading 

species in the restockage. 

Undergrowth.-Light. 

Litter.-In all of the close-set stands there IS a large amount of litter, due 

to excessive crowding. On the burned tracts most of the fire-killed timber is 

still standing. 

lvtJmus.-On the northern slopes there is a moss cover 3 to 5 inches in depth. 

On slopes with southern exposure this is lacking. 

Class'ification of lands in 1: 18 N., R 10 E. 

Forested 

Acres. 

16,040 

N onfo~ested ....................... ,. .. . . .. . .. .. . . . .. . .. .. . .. . . .. . .. . .. .. . .. . . 7, 000 

Badly burned ............................................................. : . 4, 000 

Logged ........................................................ ,_ .. .. . .. .. . . . . 2, 200 

Agricultural . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , 1, 100 

Grazing .............................. : ................................ ·...... 1, 500 

Bare rocks. .. . . . .. . .. . .. . .. .. .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . . .. . . .. . .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 400 

Total stand of timber in T. 18 N., R . .10 E. 

Species. Mill timber. 

FeetB.M. 

Limber pine ...................................................... . 

Lodgepole pine............ .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. 2, 400, 000 

Yellow pine ........................................ _ 

Red fir ............................................. . 

Engelmann spruce ................................. .. 

Total ......................................... . 

900,000 

9,500,000 

6,000,000 

18,800,000 

Pole and fnel Total volume of 

timber. all timber. 

Cubic feet. 

1,000,000 

12,000,000 

13,000,000 

4,000,000 

30,000,000 

Cubic feet. 

1,000,000 

12,432,000 

162,000 

13,710,000 

5,080,000 

32,384,000 

Composition of forest in T. 18 N., R. 10 E., including trees of all species with basal diameters of 8 inches 

and upward. 

Per cent. 

Limber pine.. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . . .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . . 7 

Lodgepole pine ..................................................... ·............ 15 

Yellow pine .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. . . .. . . 1 

Red fir. . . .. . . . . .. .. . . .. .. . .. . . .. . .. .. .. . . .. .. .. . .. .. . . .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 52 

Engelmann· spruce .................. ·. . .. . . .. . . .. . .. .. . . .. . . . . .. . .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. . 25 

TowNsHIP 13 NoRTH, RANGE 11 EAST. 

'Iopograplvy.-The eastern and the central portions consist of rolling foothill 

lands-long broad swells separated by shallow ravines and gullies. In the western 

portion, radiating eastward from the mountain areas around Yogo Baldy, are 
52 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MON'l'.AN.A. 

spurs which to the north rise to altitudes of 7,000 feet, while to the south they 

become mere low combs and sink into the rolling foothills of the central sections; 

.11fin.?:ng.-Active mininrr op~rations are carried on at Sapphire in the eastern 

areas of the district. 

J1fine:ral8.-Sapphires. 

Soil.-Thin, gravelly loam. 

Agricultural adaptability.-Small areas along the canyon bottoms in the 

central portions of the township are tillable and are used. as hay ranches. 

Grazing capacity.-The central and eastern divisions of the township are 

moderately well grassed and have long been used as a range fm: cattle and sheep . 

.Drainage conditions.-Scarcely any run-off originates within this to_wnship, as 

the streams flowing through it rise outside its boundaries. The ravines, -gullies, 

and creeks are dry through most of the year.· The lower portion of Yogo Creek 

and South Fork of .T udith River flow across the township in the northern and 

central areas. These streams are of importance on accou~t of the volume they 

add to the main Judith River. 

Towns and settlement8.-In. the eastern portion, around the sapphire diggings, 

are a half-dozen buildings for the accommodation of the employees. Sheep shacks 

are found in the central and eastern areas, while two or three ranch locations 

occupy the small amount of tillable land in Y ogo Canyon. 

Forest conditions._:___The forest is limited to the western sections. It consists 

of small-growth red fir and scrubby limber pine fit only for fuel and pole wood. 

Woodland8.-The central and eastern areas carry scattered trees and lines 

and copses of limber pine. The timber has only a fuel value. 

Outting.-The lower slopes of the ridges in the forested 

culled and cut over and 60 to 95 per cent of the timber taken. 

been for fuel, mine props; and mill timber. 

areas have been 

The cutting has 

Burns.-The southeast quarter of the township has been burned over within 

the last six or seven years and the timber totally destroyed. 

Reproduction.-Abundant on northern slopes, deficient elsewhere. The burnedover tracts are not yet restocking. The woodlands are capable of carrying more 

extensive and better stocked stands, and young growth is slowly extending the 

timbered areas into the grassed tracts. 

Unde:rgrowtli.-U~derbrush is not abundant. It is chiefly composed of juniper 

shrubs. 

Litter.-Light. 

Humus.-None. 
DESCRIPTIONS OE' TOWNf:lHIPS. 53 

Classification of lands in T. 18 N., R. 1i E. 

Acres. 

Forested .•....•••....•................•.. _ .................... -............. 5, 100 

Wooded. __ ............ __ ............... _ ........................ :- _- _ .. _.... 13, 100 

Nontimbered _ .. _ •......... __ ............ .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. ... .. .. . . . . . . . . . . 4, 840 

Badly burned _ .......... __ ........ -.- ..................... ----- .......... ---. 3, 840 

Logged . __ ..... _ .... c._ •••••.•••.•••. __ ••••• __ ••••. _ ........... _............. 1, 200 

Agricultural . _ ...... _ ...... _ .................................... , .......... -. 300 

Grazing ( \VOOdland) .... : _ .......................................... - ......... 11, 000 

Bare rocks ....................................•.. -........ -. -- .. -.. -...... -. 700 

Total stand of timber i11 T. 13. N., R. 11 E. 

Species. l\Iill timber. Pole and fuel 

timber. 

Total volume of 

all timber. 

Limber pine __ ... ____ .... _. _ .. _ ... ;. __ ............. . 

Red fir ............. _ . __ .. _ .. _ , ... ____ ..... ___ ... __ . 

Total ........... __ ............... _ ........... . 

Feet B.. M. 

250,000 

750,000 

1,000,000 

CulJic feet. 

3,000,000 

2,500,000 

5,500,000 

Oubic feet. 

3,045,000 

2,635,000 

5,680,000 

Composition of forest in T. 13 N., R. 11 E., including trees of all species with basal diameters of 3 inches 

and upward. 

Per cent. 

Limber pine ......... _ ..... _ . - .. . • . . . . . . . ...... _ ........ _ ......... _ .... __ . _ . . . 45 

Yellow pine .. __ .... _ ........... _ ............. _ ..... ___ .. _._ ... _ .... __ .. , ..... __ . 1 

Red fir .......... ___ . __ .......... _ ........................................ ___ .. 54 

Composition of woodland growth in. T. 13 N., R. 11 E., including trees of all species from seedlings up. 

Per cent. 

Lim bP.r pine .................................. -. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 

Red fir .......... ; ·- ................................ -.... . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

TowNSHIP 14 NoRTH, RANGE 8 EAST. 

Topoqraphy.--The topographic features of the township comprise a mass of 

steep, rocky ridges rising to elevations o£ nearly 9,000 feet and centering in 

the peak known as Neihart Baldy, just east of the township line. The low 

relief is formed by many narrow, Tocky canyons and by the valley of Belt 

Creek, which cuts through the district from south to north along its west line . 

.1r£ininq.-The. township was formerly an important mining center, but the 

low price of silver and possibly the exhaustion of the richer deposits have very 

much reduced the output, and comparatively little mining is now carried on. 

Soil.-Thin loam resting on hard, coarse debris material. Extensive talus 

slopes, lacking every vestige of loam cover, occur in many places on the steeper 

slopes. 
• 

54 LI1'TLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

Aqrioult1~ral adaptability.-The tract contains no arable land except a few 

small patches in the canyon of Belt Creek. 

Grazinq oapaoity.-A few small glades along Belt Creek and tracts of nontimbered hillsides in different localities constitute the pasture lands of the 

township. The aggregate acreage is small. 

])ra,inaqe oonditions.-The outflow originating in the district is small. There 

are numerous creeks, but aside from Belt Creek, which receives them all, none 

carries a large volume. 

Towns and settlements.-'l'here is only one town, Neihart, situated in the 

canyon of Belt Creek. Formerly a place of considerable importance, owing to 

its mines, it is now near·ly deserted since the larger properties have suspended 

operations. Numerous miners' cabins are scattered throughout the bills on the 

different prospects or mines, and more or less extensive developments are in 

progress in several places. The township contains 4 miles of the Neihart-Great 

Falls Railroad line. 

J!orest condition.-Tbe forest consists almost wholly of lodgepole pine, of 

which 80 per cent represents reforestati?ns after fires which occurred thirty 

·or thirty-five years ago. Near the summit of the ridges are scattered trees 

·of limber pine and red fir, and along the creeks small proportions of spruce. 

Ou~t?;ng.-All of the more accessible areas, with the exception of the head of 

·Carpenter Creek, have been logged and 80 per cent of the inerchantable timber 

taken. The township now contains no mill timber and only inferior dimensions 

·Of pole growths. The timber has in part supplied Neihart, and in part has been 

shipped to Great Falls as smelter poles or to other localities as fuel, mine 

:props, and the like. I 

Burns.-The northwest quarter of the township has been badly burned in 

.spots here and there within the last five or six years. 

Reproduotion.-The sapling stands, 30 to 35 years old, are so frilly stocked 

that further additions are impossible. The logged areas are abundantly restocking, but the burns show very little young growth as yet. The restockage in almost 

·every instance is composed of lodgepole pine, though the forest, which the early 

prospectors burned, was largely composed ·of red fir. Lodgepole has taken its 

place and will hold it for the next one hundred a~d twenty years at least. 

Undergrowth.-Light. 

Litter.-There is a yast amount of litter throughout the stands. In part it 

·Consists of tops of trees and other kinds of woody debris left by the loggers. 

In pal't it is the uncousurned remains of -fire-killed trees of a former forest. 

Hum'ws.-None. 
DESCRIPTIONS OE' TOWNSHIPS. 55 

ClasBification of lands in T. 14 N., R. 8 E. 

Acres. 

Forested ______________ . _________________________________________________ ... _ 15, 360 

N onforested ___ . __ . _ ... _ ...... __ .. _ .... _ .... _ . _ .. ____ .. ______ . _. __ . _________ . 7, 680 

Badly burned _______________ . __ ._. ______ . ___ . __ . ______ . ______ . __________ .. _ _ _ 2, 000 

Logged _______ . _____ .. ______ . _____________ _. ..... _ .. __ .... _ .. _ •. _._._ ... _~. ___ ll, 000 

Agricultural .. _. _ ... _ ... __ . __ . _. _. __ ...... __ . _ .. __ . _ .. _. __ . _ .... ___ ... ____ ... 150 

Grazing .. ___ .. _. _. _ ........ - ......... __ ..... __ .. _ .. ___ .. _ .. _ .. __ . __ ..... __ .. 1, 200 

Bare rocks •. ____ ......... _ .. _ .... _. ___ .... ___ .... _. -.-. _. _. _. __ ... _ ... _. _ . __ _ 4,330 

Total stand of timber in T. 14 N., R. 8 E. 

Species. Pole and fuel Total volume of 

timber. all timber. 

Gub'cjeet. Onbicj'eet. 

Limber pine._ .. _. ___ . ___ . ____ .. _____ .. ______ . ____ ._. ___ • __ .. ____ _ 50,000 50,000 

Lodgepole pine . _. _ . ____ . _ •.. _ .. _ .. __ .. _ .. _. _ ...... _. _ . _. _ ....... . 2,000,000 2,000,000 

Red fir ___ ... ___ .... _ . __ . ______ . _ . ___ .. _ . _ . __ . _ . ____ ... ___ .. _____ _ 50,000 50,000 

Subalpine fir _. ___ .. ____ . ______ . _. _. _________ • _. _________ .. ____ .. _ 20,000 20,000 

Engelmann spruce ______ . _____________ ... ___ ... ___ .. _ .. __ ....... . 80,000 80,000 

TotaL . ___ .. _____ ........... -- . -.. -. -:-- -. -- ------- --- -- --- - 2,200,000 2,200,000 

Composition of forest in T. 14 N., R. 8 E., includ·ing trees of all species with basal diameter-s qt' 8 inches 

and upward. 

Per cent. 

Lodgepole pine. __ .... ___ ...... ___ .. ____ .... _______ ._ _. _ .. __ .. _______________ .. 99 

All other species .. ___ . _ . _. _ ~ ... _ . ___ .. _. _____ .. _____ . ____________________ . _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 

TowNSHIP 14 NoRTH, RANGE 9 EAST. 

Topography.-i~ the central and western portions is a mass of high, rocky 

~purs and divides belonging to the Neihart Baldy-Yogo Peak system, reaching 

elevations of 8,500 to 9,000 feet. The eastern flections comprise a broad basin, 

forming the head of Dry Wolf Creek, and steep, rocky ridges hemming in the 

basin on the north and south. 

.J.1{ining.-Numerous prospE:fct shafts and tunnels oecur throughout the 

shjp. No active mining operations are carried on. 

J.11inerals.-Silver. 

' townSoil.-Gravelly loam. Most of the township is covered with coarse limestone 

debris or with detritus derived from the hard eruptive rocks. Thin loam overlies or is mixed with the debris near the surface . 

.Agricultural adaptability.-A small t1;act known as Big Park in the central 

areas of Dry Wolf Creek, near the eastern side of the township, contains a few 

hundred acres of arable land. None of the land elsewhere is tillable. 

/ 
56 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONT.ANA •. 

Grazing capacity.-The pasture lands consist of small glades and openings in 

the forest and of the bald summits of the main divides in the central areas. 

Stock is pastured in Dry Wolf Valley, but not on the high, open ridges. 

Drainage conditl:ons.-Desplte the altitude of the region the outflow is small. 

Small springs and rivulets abound near the summits of th~ higher ridges, but 

much of the discharge sinks before reaching the main channels. ·small quantities 

of snow remain on the northern slopes near Neihart Baldy during most, if not 

all, of the summer 8eason. 

Towns and settlernents.-Two settlers are living on the agricultural lands in 

the Dry Wolf Creek bottoms, while miners' cabins are scattered through the 

mineral-bearing central and western tracts of the township. 

Forest conditions.-The western portion is stocked with lodgepole pine, in 

stands of nearly pure growth, 25 to 35 years old. They are reforestations, 

after fires which occurred about forty years ago. The summit of the main divide 

in the central areas carries scattered, thin' stands of the subalpine type of forest. 

The timber is low and scrubby, suitable only for fuel, and practically inaccessible. The eastern areas are stocked with 'stands of lodgepole pine, spruce, and 

red fir. One-half of this growth is 30 to 35 years old; the remainder is from 100 

to 150 years old. Most of this forest grows in blocks, surrounded by extensive 

burned areas. 

Cuttinq.-The forest has been closely culled in all of the more accessible 

places in the western and eastern areas. The cut has been largely for the purpose of obtaining smelter poles. 

Burns.-A strip, 2 miles wide, along the northern line';of the township and 

a portion of its southeast quarter have been burned over in recent years and the 

timber totally destroyed. 

Reproduction.-On the burned areas restockage is as y.et almost wholly wanting. The close-set lodgepole-pine stands in the western areas are so fully stocked 

'that further additions to the growth are impossible. Elsewhere there is a moder:ate amount of young growth, lodgepole pine prevailing on some tracts, red fir 

on others. 

Undergrowth.-In most places light. 

Litter.-There is a large amount of fallen timber in the burned areas and 

in most of the close-set . sapli1,1g stands. At high elevations in the green forest 

litter is light. 

IIitmus.-Northern slopes bear in some places a light moss cover; southern 

slopes have none. 
DESCRIPTIONS OF TOWNSHIPS. 57 

Clas~fication of lands in T. 14 N., R. 9 E. Acres. 

Forested _____ .•••.•..• _ .... __ . ______ ...... __ . ___ ....... ___ ............. _ .. .. . 8, 960 

N onforested ....... _ . . .. . . .. . . . _ .......... ___ ..... ~ _ .............. __ ........ _ 14, 080 

Badly burned . .. . ..... . . .. ... . . .. .. ...... .. .... .. .. .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . . .. . .. .. . 7, 680 

Logged (culled) . .. . .. .. .. .. . .. . .. . .. .. . . . .. .. .. . .. . .. . . .. .. .. . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . 3, 000 

Agricultural ....................... _................ .. . .. . . .. .. . . .. .. . .. . . .. . . 300 

Grazing ........................... _ .... : . ........... : ................. _.. . . . 3, 200 

Bare rock~ .. · . . . .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . . . .. . . .. .. .. .. .. 2, 900 

Total stand of timber in T. 14 N., R. 9 E. . . 

Species. Mill timber. Pole and fuel Total volume of 

timber. all timber. 

Feet B. 1II. Cubic feet. Gubicjeet. 

Limber pine ... __ .... __ .. __ ............ ___ ~ ...... __ .. . • __ .. _ ..... _ . 100,000 100,000 

Lodgepole pine ....... _ .. __ ...... _. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. . 6, 000, 000 12,480,000 13,560,000 

White-bark pine._ ............. __ ....... _ .. __ .. _ ... ____ ... _ .. _ ..... _ 4oo;ooo 400,000 

Red fir __ ........ _ ........ _ ..................... ___ .. 4, 800, 000 1,200,000 2,064,000 ~ngelrnann spruce ... _______________________________ _ 1,800,000 1,000,000 1,324,000 

TotaL ........... __ . _ ........ __ ...... ____ .· ____ . 12,600,000 15,180,000 17,448,000 

• Compo~tion of for-est in T. 14 N., R. 9 E., including trees of all species ·with basal diameteu of 3 ·inches 

and upwar-d. 

Per cent. 

Limber pine ..... c--------------------------------------.----------------------- 0.5 

Lodgepole pine ............... -................. __ ............. _ . .. . .. . . . . .. . .. SO 

White-bark pine._ ........... ____ .... _ ... ______ ..... _ .... _ ....... __ .. __________ 1 

Red fir ....... _ ....... -- ... _ ...... -- ........ _ .......... _ ........... __ .......... 15 

Subalpine fir . _ ........ __ ....................... _ .. _ ..... _ .... _ ............ _ __ _ . 5 

~ngelmann spruce_ ......... __ .......... _. __ ._ .. _ ....... __ ... _ ... __ ... ___ . ___ ._ 2. 5 

.Aspen and cottonwood._ .... _ ....... -- ....... __ .... _ ......... ___ ...... __ .... -··- . 5 

TowNSHIP 14 NoRTH, RANGE 10 EAST. 

Topography.-The main topographic feature is a mass of steep ridges with 

narrow and often precipitous crests, separated by canyons which have no g-reat 

width. 

Mining.-No active mmmg is carried on at present. Many mineral claims 

are located in the northern half <?£ the township. 

ll'Bnemls.-Silver lead ores and specular iron ores. 

Soil.-Gravelly loam, with small proportions of loam. 

Agricultural adaptability.-There is no arable land. 

Grazing capacity.-The towm;hip contains numerous small grassy. glades and 

nonforested summits which are utilized to some extent for cattle ranges. 
58 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

Drainage conditions.-There is a large outflow from the tract, chiefly by way 

of Running Wolf Creek, which is important in the irrigation of agricultural land~ 

in townships outside the reserve. 

Towns and settlements.-The deserted mining village of Yogo is situated in the 

south-central portion, while miners' cabins are scattered throughout the township. 

Forest condit·ions.-The forest chiefly consists of mixed stands of red fir and 

spruce. Small quantities of lodgepole pine occur on northern slopes at low and 

middle elevations. Limber pine forms most of the timber on the crests. The 

timber is largely a pole growth. In the northeast quarter of the township 

the stands consist almost wholly of sapling growth 25 to 30 years old. At 

the lowest elevations yellow pine forms an insignificant proportion of the timber, 

occupying a narrow belt and disappearing completely a few hundred feet above 

the canyon levels. The central portions of the district are difficult of access. 

The southern areas can be reached by way of Yogo Gulch; the northern from 

Running Wolf Canyon. 

Cutting.-The timber has been culled in all the more easily accessible gulches, 

the cut varying from 10 to 95 per cent. 

Burns.-Almostthe entire northeast quarter has been burned over. Numerous 

smaller burns are scattered throughout the, remainder .of the township. 

Reproduction.-Restoekage on the burned-over areas is deficient or lacking. 

There is a moderate am~unt of young growth in the green forest. Red fir 

predominates in the restockage. 

Undergruwth.-Moderate in quantity; composed chiefly of juniper scrub and 

Shepherdia. 

Litter.-There is a large amount of dead and fallen timber on the burned 

areas. In the green forest the quantity is small. 

Hurnus.-On northern hillsides there is a moss cover 3 to 4 inches in thickness. 

On southern slopes the humus is either lacking or consists of a very thin layer 

of pine needles. 

Classifical'ion of lands in 1'. 14 N., R. 10 E. A crt's. 

Forested ................ ---- ... - ..... -.... ---- .... --.-.-....... .. ....... __ . _ 12, 000 

Nonforested ............ __ .... ____ .... ___ --- ... ______ ...... _ .. _________ ..... _ 11,040 

Badly burned .. ____ .. - -........ __ ... ___ . __ -- ...... ----.. _________ : _ . __ .. __ .. _ 8, 900 

Logged (cut and culled) .................. -----.----------------------------- 2,000 

Agricultural .. ___ ...... ''• .... ___ . _ .. _ ............ - ___ - . - ....... -~ .. __ .... _ ... _ None. 

Grazing ......... -.. _ -........... _ . ___ .... _ -.• _ ...... - . ______ ........ ___ . .. .. 940 

Bare rocks .... -- ...... -- .. -- ...... __ .... __ ....... -.. ---- ...... _ .. _.... . .. .. . 1, 200 

"· 
DESCRIPTIONS OF TOWNSHIPS. 59 

Total stand of timber in T. 14 N., R. 10 E. 

Species. Pole and fuel Total volume of Mill timber. all timber. timber. 

Peet B. N. Onbic feet. Ollbic feet. 

. Limber pine ........................ _____ . ___ . __ _ _ _ _ _ ____ . _______ _ 400,000 '400, 000 

Lodgepole pine ______ .. _ . ___ .. _ . ______ . __ . _ . ____ . __ . _____________ _ 1,000,000 _1,000,000 

yellow pine --- . - . - . - . - . - . --- .... --- -- . - - ---- .. ---- . 300; 000 200,000 254,000 

Red fir _________ .. __ ........ ______ .. __ .. __ .. ______ .. 12, 000, 000 9,200,000 11,360,000 

Engelmann spruce . ________________________ . _______ . 3, 000. 000 300,000 840,000 

Total _ . ____ . ____ . ______ . ______________ . __ . __ . . . 15, 300, 000 ll, 100,000 13,854,000 

Composition of f01·est in T. 14 N., R. 10 E., inclwl:ing trees of all spedes with basal dia.meters of 3 inches 

and tt]JWard. 

Per cent. 

Limber pine _ .. _ . _____________________ . ______ . ~ . _____ .. _______ . ________ .. __ .. _ 14. 7 

Lodgepole pine ........ ---- ... _____ ... _ .. ____ .. _ .. _ ............ ______ ._ ........ 15 

Yellow pine._ .. __ . __ .. __ .. _______ .. _. _______ .. ____ . __ .-._- ___ -_.-_--- ..... ----- . 3 

Red fir_ . _ ... _ . __ . ____________ .. ____ . _______ . ___ ..... _______ . __ . ___ ... _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 60 

Engelmann spruce __________ . __ . _____ ._ .. __ .. _. __ ·_._ ... _ .. _. _______ .... _______ ._ 10 

Aspen and cottonwood ___ .. ________ . _. _. __ . _ .. ___ .... _. _ .. ____ ... ___ Scattered trees. 

TowNSHIP 14 NoRTH, RANGE 11 EAsT. 

Topography.-Only the western half of this township is in the forest reserve. 

'The region consists of steep fronts of spurs which form portion:,; of the divide 

between Running "\Vol£ Creek and Yogo Gulch, and attain altitudes of 7,000 feet. 

'The crests are narrow and rocky, while the slopes are deeply scored with narrow 

ravines and canyon;,;. The portion of the township outside the reserve areas is a 

ridgy, rolling foothill region. 

jJfi:ning.-None. 

Soil.-Limestone debris with thin admixtures of loam. 

Agricult·ural adaptabil?:ty.~fhe lands within the reserve arc not suitable for 

:agricultural pursuits owing to their mountainous character. The eastern portion 

-of the township contains more or less agricultural, as well as a large amount of 

·grazing, land. 

Gmzing capacity.-None. 

Drainage conditions.-Scarccly any permanent outflow origmates in the dis-

·trict. The central a;reas are cut by Sage Creek, which has its headwaters in the 

next township on the west. Most of the canyons and ravines are dry during the 

_g1eater portion of the year. 

Towns and settleme~ts.-None. 

Forest conditions.-The fore:,;t consists of mixed stands of old-growth red fir, 

_yellow pine, and limber pine, with small proportions of lodg-epole pine at the 
60 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

highest elevations. In Sage Creek Canyon the stands are of medium density; elsewhere they are thin. The timber is all third class. It is easy of access in Sage 

Creek bottoms, but difficult to reach in other localities owing to steep slopes. 

Outting.-On the accessible slopes and _in Sage Creek bottoms 60 per cent of 

the timber suitable for mill use has been cut. The burned ridges and northern 

declivities of W oodhurst Mountain in the northwest corner of the township in 

some cases have been totaUy denuded of their timber by fuel cutters. 

Burns.-Large areas in the northwest corner have been totally laid waste by 

fire within the past five or six years . 

.Reproduction.-Therc is a moderate amount of young growth in the living 

forest. On the burned-over areas the restockage is very scanty or wholly lacking. 

Red fir is the chief species in the young growth. 

Litter.-Abundant both in t4e green stands and on the burned tracts. 

Undergrowth.-Small quantity. 

Humus.-N one. 

Classification of lands in western half of 1'. 14 N., R. 11 E. 

Acres. 

'Forested ........................................ _............................ 8, 320 

N onforested ... _ ... _ ....... __ . __ . __ ........ _ ......... _ ........ _ ............. _ 3, 200 

Badly burner! ....... _ .. ' .. _ .. _ .. __ . _. _ ........ _ ....... _ ........... _-_......... 2, 600 

Logged ............... _ ....•..... _ ...... _ ............. _ ..... _................ 4, 000 

Agricultural ___ . __ ........................................ _ .. __ .. _........... None. 

Grazing ........ _ .. __ ......... _ . _ ..................... _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . None. 

Bare rock~ ..... _ .. _ .... _ .... _ .. _ ... _ .. __ ........ _ ... _ .... _ ... _ .. _ .. __ ..... , 600 

Total stand of timber in western half of T. 14 N., R. 11 E. 

Mill tim bcr. Pole and fuel Total stand of 

timber. all timber. Species. 

Feet B. M. Cubicjeet. Cubic feet. 

Limber pine ....... _ . _ . __ ... _ ......... __ ........... .. 800,000 3,300,000 3,444,000 

Yell ow pine ..... _ . _ . _ .... _ . _ ..................... _ .. 2,000,000 -------------- 360,000 

Red fir ..... ___ ... _________________________________ . _ 8,000,000 6,000,000 7,440,000 

-----

Total ............ .- .. ----.... ---------- -- ------ 10,800,000 9,300,000 11,244,000 

Composition of forests in western half of 1'. 14 N., R. 11 E., including trees of all species with basal 

diameters of 3 inches and upward. 

Per cent. 

Limber pine .................. _ .................... ___ ..... ___ ......... ___ .... _ ... 40 

Lodgepole pine ................................. _ .. .. .. __ ....................... 5 

Yell ow pine ................................. _ ............ __ .... ___ .... _ .... ___ . . . 2 

Rod fir ............ __ ..... _ .. _ ... ___ ._ ....... _ ......... _ ......................... 53 
DESCRIPTIONS OF TOWNSHIPS. 61 

TowNSHIP 15 NoRTH, RANGE 8 EAsT. 

Topography.-ln the south are steep spurs radiating from the mountain areas 

around Neihart Baldy, in the center is the valley of Dry Fork of Belt Creek, 

while o.n the north are the long slopes and ridges of Barker_ Mountain. The 

altitude varies from 6,000 feet for the valley levels· to 8,200 feet for the· 

summits of Barker Mountain and the ridges in the southern portion . 

.M%ning.-The tract formerly supported several mining camps. Mining locations abound in the eastern portion. 

Minerals.-Chiefl.y silver, lead, and small quantities of copper. 

Soil.-Thin, gravelly loam mixed with much limestone debris .. 

Agricult~tral adaptability.-Tracts in the central portion of the township m 

Dry Fork Valley are suitable for' agricultural purposes, and are occupied by 

farmers. · The remainder of the township is not tillable. 

Grazing capacity.-Small glades on the southern hillsides and in the canyons. 

The area of grass laud is insignificant. ) 

Drainage conditions.-The run-off originating in the town13hip is small in 

volume. Most of the lesser creeks are dry during portions of the year. 

Towns and settlements.-Two mining villages, Barker and Hughesville, formerly 

existed in the township but both are now abandoned. l!"armsteads are located on 

the agricultural lands and are occupied continuously. 

Forest conditions:-The forest consists of mixed stands of lodgepole pine, red 

fir, and Engelmann spruce, mostly of small and slender growth, limby and knotty, 

and fit only for fuel and pole timber. 

Outting.-The forest has been logged throughout, the cut averaging 65 per 

cent. 

Burns.----:-Extensive fires have devastated the forest in the northern and southwestern portions. Most of the g'reen stands are fire marked. On the burnedover areas all the timber has been killed, bu~ not consumed. 

R;production.-Restockage is scanty on the larger burns· where the slopes 

face the south. On the northern slopes it is n.bundant, except on very recent 

burns, where seedling growth is still lacking. On the cut-over areas the young 

growth is abundant. Lodgepole pine and red fir compose most of the restockage, the former species prevailing. 

Undergrowt!L.--Light. 

Litter.-There is a large amount of litter, consisting of the debris left by 

loggers and unconsumed by fire. 

Humtl8.-Very light or altogether lacking. 
62 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

Class{fication of lands in T. 15 N., R. 8 E. 

Forested ........................................................... __ . __ . ___ . 

N onforested __ . _ .. _. _ .......... _ .... _ .... _. _ .................... _ . _ .. ___ . __ .. 

Badly burned .. ·.- ............. _ ... _ .. __ . _. _. __ .............. __ ..... __ .. ~ __ .. 

Acres. 

14,000 

9,040 

6,400 

Logged ..................... - ....................... -...... -................. 12,000 

Agricultural ................... _. _ ........................................ _.. 1, 500 

Grazing ....................... __ ...... _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 

Bare rocks ........... ~ ......... _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 640 

Total stand of timber in T. 15 N., R. 8 E. 

--·--

Pole and fuel Total volume of 

timber. all timber. Specic~s. l\Ii!l timber. 

~------

• Feet B. N. Cubic feet . Cubicjeet. 

Limber pine. _ .... _ ............................ -.... - . - --. - - --... -. 100,000 100,000 

Lodgepole pine ............................... _...... 4, 000, 000 7,800,000 8,520,000 

Red fir. ____ .... ----· .......... -... -- ..... -.......... - 500,000 

.50, 000 

4,300,000 4,390,000 

Engelmann spruce. __ ... _ ........... _ .............. .. 60,000 69,000 

TotaL . _ ...... _,_ .... _ ....... _. _ . _ . _ . ___ .. __ .. 4,550,000 12,260,000 13,079,000 

Composit-ion of forest in '1: 15 N., R. 8 E., including trees of all species with basal diameter.~ of 3 ·inches 

Per cent. 

Limber pine .. _._ ... _ ..... _ ... __ ... _ .. _ ...... _ ...... _ ...... _. _ ..... _ ...... __ ... 2 

Lodgepole pine .................. _ ........................... __ ........ _._ ..... 58 

Red fir _ ...................... _ .... _ ........................... _ . : . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 

Subalpine fir ................................................................. _ . 3 

Engelmann spruce .................................... 1 .......••.....•...• _ ••. _ 3. 2 

Aspen and cottonwood ............. _ ............... _ .... _ ..... __ .. _. _ ....... _. . 5 

TowNsHIP 15 NoR'l'H, RANGE g EAsT. 

Topo_qraphy.-The general relief of the towrlship consists of moderately steep, 

high ridges, inclosing broad canyon~. The eastern half is intersected by high 

ridges, mdiating in a northerly direction from Yogo and Neihart Baldy and serving as dividing lines between the waters flowing into Judith River basin and 

Belt Creek. The western half of the township includes valleys and spurs radiating from different centers, such· as Mixes Baldy and Barker Mountain. The 

general elevation is about 7,000 feet. 

8oil.-G-ravelly loam mixed with more or less finely comminuted limestone 

debris. 

J11ininq.-Formerly the township was the scene of active mining operations, 

but since the cessation of work in Barker camp, in the township adjoining on the 

west, mining has come to a standstill. Numerous prospects and mines in different 

stages of development are located throughout the western half. 
DESCRIPTIONS OF TOWNSHIPS. 63 

JrEnerals.-Various combinations of silver, lead, and copper .. · 

Agricultural adaptab1:lity.-Small tracts in the northern portion at the northern foot of Mixes Baldy and on tributaries to Dry Wolf Creek are tillable and 

in part occupied. 

Grazin,q capacity.-The grazing areas are limited to bare summits on the 

high ridges in the eastern portion. They are but little pastured, if at all. 

Drainage condition8.-The outilow is of moderate volume and is carried in 

part· by Barker Creek and in part by Mill Creek. Both empty into Belt Creek 

and supply about one-fourth the volume of that stream. 

Towns and settlements.-The township contains no villages. There are two or 

three settlers on the agricultural lands in the northern and eastern areas. .A. 

small sawmill is located in the central portions of the 'district on Mill Creek. 

Miners' cabins and claims are scattered through the mineral areas. 

Forest conditions.-:Most of the merchantable forest consists of veteran stands 

of red fir and Englemann spruce. The lodgepole-pine stands are 'confined chiefly 

to the northwest, west-central, and southwest portions, and are mostly composed 

of sapling growths. At the highest altitudes the forest consists of limber pine, 

white-bark pine, subalpine fir, and small proportions of spruce. The red fir ic,; of 

the slender eastern Montana type. The spruce generally is stocky and limby. 

Most of the timber is. comparatively easy of access from the different canyons. 

01lttinq.-.A. large amount of timbct bas been cut. It bas been used at · 

Barker mining camp, in the agricultural districts north of this township, and at 

the copper smelter at Great Falls. Most of the canyon bottoms and their lower 

slopes have been cut over, the cut varying in different localities from 20 per cent 

to total. 

Burns.-Burned-over areas occur in the northeast and east-central regions. 

The burns date back ten or :fifteen years, and totally denuded the land of its 

living timber. . 

Reprod1wtion.-Restockage is deficient on the burned-over areas. It is mostly 

composed of lodgepole pine instead of the former growth of red fir. In th~ green 

stands there is sufficient young .growth to maintain the present stockage of the 

stands. On the logged areas seedling and young sapling growths are abundant, 

consisting of red fir and spruce ii1 about the same proportions as existed m 

the former forest. 

Litter.-The burns are littered with a great deal of unconsumed debris, in 

part fallen, in part standing, while on the cutting areas the ground is littered · 

w~th unpiled masses of tops and limbs. On the logged tracts in the southern 

areas of the townc,;hip thousands o_! smelter poles, mine props, and sawlogs have 

been cut and left on the skidways and in the forest to rot. 

• 
• 

64 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

Humus.-At the higher elevations humus is practically lacking. At lower 

altitudes the forested canyon floors and northern slopes have a cover of moss and 

pine needles 3 to 4 inches in thickness. 

Classification of lands in T. 15 N., R. 9 E. 

Acres. 

Forested . __ -.- _- .. -. "". _ . --- -. -. _- -. ·- .. ~ ... -...... --- ....................... _ _ 15, 600 

N onforested . __ . __ .... _ .. _ - -....... - -....... - -.. - -- . -... -... _ ...... __ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 7, 440 

Badly burned . _. __ ... _ .. ____ -. _-- ..... --.- ..... -... -... ---. _ ...... __ . ___ .. _ _ 3, 640 

Logged ...... __ . ____ . __ . - _ . _ . ___ -.. --.... --............ -.. -............ _ _ _ _ _ _ 6, 800 

Agricultural _. ____ . _______ .... __ .. __ .. _ ... _ .......... __ . _ .... __ . _. ___ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1, 200 

Grazing ..... ____ ... ___ ....... _ ..................................... _ ....... _ 2, 000 

Bare rocks ... ____ .. _______ ..... __ .. _ ..... _ ...... __ .... _ ........ _............ 600 

Total stand of timber in T. 15 N., R. 9 E. 

Species. 1\fill timber. Pole and fuel Total volume of 

timber. all timber. 

Feet B. M. Cubic feet. Ouhicjeet. 

Limber pine ...................................................... . 400,000 400,000 

Lodgepole pine .......... __ ......... _ ............... _ 13, 000, 000 8,700,000 11,040,000 

Red fir.............................................. 20,000,000 11,200,000 14,800,000 

Subalpine fir ___ ... · .............................................. .. 200,000 200,000 

Engelmann spruce .. . . .. . .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. . . . . . .. . .. . 5, 550, 000 2,800,000 3,799,000 

Total. .. ___ .................................... 38,550,000 23,300,000 30,239,000 

Composition of forest in T. 15 N., R. 9 E., including trees of all species with basal diameters of 8 inche.~ 

and upwm·d. 

Per cent. 

Limber pine ................................................................... 5.5 

Lodgepole pine .......... _. _ . _ ... ___ - __ ... ___ - _____ ... -.... -.................. _ 30 

White-bark pine., ..... __ ._ .. _ .... _____ .... _____ .... _ .... -...... _ ... -._ .. _ .... _ . 5 

Yellow pine ............... _ ..... __ ... _. __________ ._ .. _._ ..... __ .. ___ Scattere<l trees. 

Red fir ........... _ ... _ . _ ..... _____ ... . _ . __ .. _____ . _. _ ...... _ ... _ .. ___ . ___ . _ _ _ 52 

Subalpine fir ... __ .... __ .... __ ... __ . _ .... _______ .. __ ,_ .. ____ .. _ ........ _. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . 6 

Engelmann spruce ........ _. ___ .. ___ . __ . _ .. __ ... __ .... -. _ ... -.. -- ... -..... -... - 11 

Aspen and cottonwood ... __ .. ______ .. ______ .... __ . _____ .... _ .. ___ .. _ .. __ ...... _ . 4 

TowNSHIP 15 NoRTH, RANGE 10 EAsT. 

Topography.-In the western and southern portions are steep mountain spurs 

and ridges reaching altitudes of 7,000 feet. The eastern portion is a foothill 

region, consisting of limestone terraces and basin-like depressions, the terraces 

rising 250 to 500 feet above the floors of the intersecting ravines and canyons. 

J1fining.-The tract contains many prospects in various stages of development. 

No actiYe mining is carried on . 
. DESCRIPTIONS. OF TOWNSHIPS. 65 

Soil.-Thin, gravelly loam, chiefly limestone debris . 

.Agriculflural ada,ptability.---.:.The bottoni lands in the gulches constitute the 

agricultural areas. The m~st important are in North Fork of Spring Gulch, 

in Dry vy ol£ Canyon at and below Big Park, and in the different basin-like 

depressions in the extreme eastern portion of the township. About 500 acres 

are under cultivation, producing hay. 

Grazing capacity.-The east half of the township is largely a grazing area, 

and is used as such. 

Drainage conditions.-The outflow from the district is small in amount. It 

is discharged by way of the Dry Wolf, a stream which is dry in its lower half 

during most of the year. The smaller canyons and ravines are dry runs except 

during and immediately after the spring break-up. There are few springs. 

Towns and settlements.-The agricultural lands are settled. There are no 

towns.· Miners' cabins are scattered throughout the mineral-bearing western and 

southern portions of the tract. 

Forest conditions.-The forest consists of mixed stands of lodgepole pine and 

red fir, with spruce, limber pine, and subalpine fir in the higher canyons and on 

the upper slope of the ridges. In the ears tern areas the stands become 'thin and 

scattering and merge into the woodlands. In the northern portion of the township 

the stands form compact bodies where not invaded by fire within recent years. 

The timber throughout the district is generally low and scrubby, ~ven in the 

close-set stands, owing to aridity of the soil and climate. The northern half of o 

the township is easy of access, the southern half moderately so. . 

Woodlands.-The woodlands are situated mostly in the northeast quarter of 

the township, covering nearly all of that tract. They are lightly timbered with 

small stands, copses, and isolatesl trees of limber pine, 

occasionally lines of small and slender lodgepole pine. 

fuel and pole valu~. 

red fir, yellow pine, and 

The timber has only a 

Outting.-All _the readily accessible portions of the township have been fmt 

over, the cut varying from 10 to 95 per cent. On some of the burned-over tracts, 

especially along Dry Yvolf and Spring creeks, and between Running Wolf Creek 

and vVoodhurst Mountain, most of the fire-killed, timber has long since been cut 

and removed. 

Bttrns.-Nearly all the western areas of the district have been burned over. 

The timber on the tracts has been killed, but not consumed, and where not cut 

is mostly still standing. The fires date back ten to fifteen years. 

Reprod'Uction.-Restocking of the burned areas is slowly progressing. On 

the northern declivities the young growth is mostly red fir, elsewhere lodgepole 

9576--~o. 30--04----5 
66 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS FOREST RESERVE, MONTANA. 

pine. The forested areas in the cast~rn sections of the township have a moderate 

amount of young growth in their stands, which, in some few localities, shows a 

slight tendency toward extensions into the woodlands. 

Unaergrowth.---'l'here is present a moderate amount of undergrowth. It consists of juniper scrub, Shepherdia, service berry, and various smaller species of 

shrubs. 

Litter.-Dead and fallen timber is plentiful in most of the green and firekilled stands. 

Rumus.-Generally lacking, but here and there a thin moss carpet covers the 

forest floor. 

Classification of lands in T. 15 N., R. 10 E. 

Acres. 

Forested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 000 

Wooded..................................................................... 5, 000 

Non timbered •..................... ~ ......................................... 12,040 

Badly burned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 200 

Logged ......... _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 500 

Agricultural •.............. _ ................... = . ...........• , • -... __ ........ _ 2, 800 

Grazing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 600 

Bare rocks ........... ~ .......... .'........... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . ..... 440 

' 

Total stand of timber in T. 15 N., R. 10 E. 

Species. l\Iill timber. Pole and fuel Total volume of 

timber. all timber. 

Feet B. M. Cubic feet. Cubicjeet. 

Limber pine .................................................... .. 200,000 200,000 

Lodgepole pine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800, 000 3,000,000 3,144,000 

Red fir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 000, 000 1,500,000 2,580,000 

Subalpine fir ....................................... .... : . ...... .. 200,000 200,000 

Engelmann spruce.................................. 500,000 350,000 440,000 

Total. ............ -.. -.- -.. --- -- .. -----. -- ---- 7,300,000 5,250,000 6,564,000 

Composition of forest in T. 15 N., R. 10 E., including trees of all species with basal diameters of 8 ·inches 

and upward. 

Per cent. 

Limber pine .................................................. ·:--··............ 2 

Lodgepole pine ................................................................. 30 

Yellow pine ................................. : ....................... Scattered trees. 

Red fir ..................................................... · .................... 62 

Subalpine fir . . . . . .... . . .... . ... .. . ..... .. .. .. . . .. . . .... . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . 1 

Engelmann spruce .... _........................................................... 5 
• 

FOREST CONDITIONS IN LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS QUADRANGLE. 67 

LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS QUADRANGLE. 

The Little Belt Mountains Forest Reserve is represented on portions of the 

Fort Benton and Little Belt Mountains sheets of the topographic atlas of the 

United States. The reserve includes 3. 75 per . cent of the Fort Benton quadrangle, and 20 per cent of the Little Belt Mountains quadrangle. Estimates 

were made of the classe~ of land and the amount of timber in the Little Belt 

Mountains quadrangle. The detailed description of the silvicultural conditions 

given in the account dealin~ with the Little Belt Mountains Forest Reserve 

applies equally to the forested areas situated: beyond the boundaries of that 

reserve within the quadrangle. 

LOCATION, EXTENT, AND CLASSIFICATION OF LANDS. 

The Little Belt Mountains quadrangle occupies "a tract of country in the 

State of Montana, situated bet.;een 46° and 47° north latitude, and between 110° 

and 111° east longitude, and has an area of 2,108,~14 acres. The region presents a great diversity of mountain, plain, and valley, timbered and nontimbered, 

the acreage of the different classes of land being ~hown in subjoined tables. 

Clasmfication of lands in the Little Belt .3fountains quadrangle, Montana. 

Acres. 

Forested .' ......... _. _ .............•....... _ .•....... _.................... 812, 208 

Wooded •.. _ ....... -.....•....... -.......••.•........... __ ................ 25, 000 

Non timbered ................ _ ...•• _ ...................................... 1, 271,406 

Total. ........... : ..................... , ......... ____ ............... 2, 108,614 

The nontimbered lands consist of grazing and agricultural lands, with tracts 

of bare rock at alpine or subalpine heights.. The acreage of each class IS as 

follows: 

Clasmfication of :nontimbered lanas in the Little Belt Jfountain,q quadrangle, .3fontana. 

Acres. 

Agricultural •........... __ . _. __ ..•..••... _ ... ~ ......... _.. . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . 194, 680 

Grazing .. ___ ..........•... ·• _ ..• - - _ ................... __ • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989, 496 

Bare rock and high alpine. __ .... -_ •.... _ ............. _................... 87, 230 

Total . _ •• __ . _____ ---............................ -................. _. 1, 271, 406 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

RELIEF. 

The high relief of the region is formed by outlying ranges of the Rocky 

Mountains, more or less closely and directly connected with that system, or 

isolated and surrounded by plains areas. The mountain areas of the north half 
68 r,ITTLE BEW.' MOUNTAINS QUADRANGLE, MONTANA. 

of the quadrangle are formed by the main axis and the flanking spurs and ridges 

of the Little Belt Mountains, which strike through the quadrangle from northwest 

to southeast. The mean elevation is 7,300 feet, the highest points reaching 

altitudes of 8,200 feet. 

The high relief of the central areas is formed by Castle Mountains, a detached 

outlier of the Little Belt Range, covering only 50,000 acres. Its mean altitude 

is 7,400 feet, the culminating point of the tract reaching a height of 8,600 feet. 

The orographical features of the southern areas are centered in the Crazy 

Mountains, a rough, rocky, steep tract of country-a southward continuation of 

Castle Mountains, with which they connect through high, broad, nontimbcred 

ridges. The mean elevation of the region is 7,800 feet, many points in the 

central portion of the system reaching altitudes of 10,000 feet, while the culm_inating point of the entire mass is 11,180 feet above sea level. 

The lower poi·tion of the quadrangle consists• of small tracts of rough and 

broken foothill region, and of wide, rolling plains and areas of nearly level table and 

bench lands. The plaipE?_at:_e dotted with numerous isolated buttes, intersected 

with low combs· and irregular rocky ridges, and are cut by a multitude of 

ravines and canyons. The flood valleys are comparatively broad, and are bordered with several tiers of terraces and benches. The mean altitude of the low 

portion of the quadrangle is 6,000 feet. 

DRAINAGE. 

The northern part of the region lies partly within the drainage of Judith 

River and partly w~thin the Musselshell basin. The southern areas drain into 

Yellowstone River through various small creeks and the larger Shields River. A 

tract in _the west-central regions sends its drainag·e into the Missouri, in a westerly 

direction, through Sixteen Mile Creek and Smith River. None of the streams 

except Shields River carry any considerable volume of water, except during flood 

times. Outside the mountain areas the streams are not rapid, and meander through 

valleys of soft alluvial deposits. Most of the outflow originates in the Little 

Belt ranges. The· Crazy MountU:ins discharge moderate quantities from their 

northern slopes into the Musselshell. The outflow from the Castle Mountains is 

small, and the rolling plains region gives rise only to small and intermittent creeks. ' . AGRICULTURAL LANDS. 

The cultivable lands amount to 10.1 per cent of the quadrangle and arc so 

situated as to be easily irrigable. It is not improbable that much of the grazing 

lands can be. reclaimed by means of storage reservoirs and high-line ditches. The 
GRAZING LANDS AND WOODLANDS. 69 

lands cultivated at the present time consist wholly of bench lands on the lowest 

terraces, which can be irrigated from the various streams that course through 

them without much expense or labor. The- soil in the bottom lands varies from a 

deep, rich loam to a .thin topping of alluvial silt on coarse 'gravel and bowlders. 

When once under ditch the lands yield good crops of hay and grain. There are 

no agricultural lands in the mountain areas worth noting·. 

GRAz'ING LANDS. 

The range lands consist of plains, foothills, and high timberless or sparsely forested riwuntain areas. The plains have long been used as cattle and sheep ranges; 

originally covered with luxuriant growths of grass, they have been grazed so 

closely that where not fenced their grazing value is exceedingly low. Much of 

the land in the more level plains areas is now owned or leased by private parties 

and within fence, allowing the grasses a measure of recuperation.. The foothill 

areas have been used very much like the plains and their pasturage value is but 

little higher. The alpine and subalpine grazing areas are situated above the 7,800-

foot contour line. The tracts which are situated within the limits of forest growth 

represent ancient fire glades where r~stockage has failed. Above the 10,000-foot 

level, grassy alpine tracts begin and continue to the . highest elevations. Alpine 

areas occur only in the Crazy Mountains; no point in the Castle or the Little Belt 

Mountains is higher than timber line, 9,300 feet. The high areas are sheeped 

wherever accessible except within the limits of Little Belt Mountains Forest 

Reserve. They are covered with a tough, close sod composed largely of subal· 

pine species of sedge, and have not greatly suffered from the sheeping to which 

they have been subjected. The grazing lands constitute the class having the • 

largest acreage in the quadrangle, including nearly 51 per cent of the total area . 

. WOODLANDS. 

The woodlands occupy less than 1 per cent of the quadrangle, occurring 

chiefly on the eastern slope of the Little Belt Mo@tai~s where a small tract of 

foothill country is stocked with broken and intermittent starids characteristic of 

this class of lands. Red fir, limber pine, and yellow pine thinly scattered in 

copses and narrow lines or as isolated trees form the growth. The volume of 

-timber which they. carry is insignificant, and owing to their proximity to the 

arid plains no considerable addition to their stockage can be expected. 
70 LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS QUADRANGLE, MONTANA. 

FOREST. 

Generally speaking, all the areas in the quadrangle situated above the 7,000-

foot contour and belpw the 9,300-foot level bear forest, the lands of this class 

constituting very nearly 40 per cent of the entire area. The growth is almost 

wholly coniferous, not more than 0.5 per cent belonging to broad-leaved species. 

The subjoined table exhibits the percentage of each species composing the forest. 

Composition of forest in the Little Belt 1lfotmtain.q quadrangle, Montana, including trees of all species with 

basal diameters of 3 inches and upward. 

Per cent. 

Limber pine. 0 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 ...... 0 ••••• _ 00 ... _ •• 00 0 •• 0 00 ..... 00 ...... 00 .... __ 00 0 _... 3 

Lodgepole pine ....... 0 •••••••••••• 0 • _ ••••••••••• 0 •••• 0 •••••• 0 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 30 

Yell ow pine ....... 0 ••••••••• 0 ••••••••••• 0.- • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 

\Vhite-bark pine ... 0 ........ 00.0 0. 0. 00.000.00 •• o--oo. 00 •• 00000. o .. o. 00---- ...... 1 

Red fir. . 0 • 0 0 0 ••••••• 0 • 0 .. 00 00 ..... 00 • 00 • 0 0 .. 0 • 00 •• 0 00 • 0 .... 00. 00 0 00 • 0 • .. .. .. • 55 

Subalpine ~r .... ooO ••• 00 •••••••• 0 •••• 0000.00-.- •• 00 000 OOoo ••• 000 00-0000 0...... 1. 4 

Engelmann spruce ......... 0. 0 ••••• 0 0 •••••••••••••••••••••••• 0 •••••••••••••••• 10 

Aspen and cottonwood. 00.00. 00 00 •• ooOOO. 00 00 ••• 00.00 •• 00 ... c .. 000 oooooo··.--... • 4 

The forest presents three more or less clearly defined zones or divisions, 

which present a general uniformity. in aspect and composition throughout the 

quadrangle. In the lmv'est of ti1ese zones, between the 7,000 and the 7,400-foot 

contours, red fir is the dominant species, limber pine, yellow pine, and lodgepole 

pine constituting not more than 10 per cent of the growth. Above this zone, 

and extending to altitudes of 8,300 feet, is the h1iddle division, containing the 

great mass of the forest. It is made up of lodgepole pine as the dominant 

species in all the interior and more humid portions of the mountains, with red fir 

as the leading· species on the warmer and drier southern slopes. Associated 

with these species are varying proportions o£ Engelmann spruce and limber 

pine. Above the middle zone~ subalpine tracts begin. Tn the stands at this 

altitude Eng·elmann spruce forms the larger proportion, subalpine fir and whitebark pine seldom exceeding 20 per cent. 

The forest at its lower levels is generally thinly stocked, except in localities 

where plenty of seepage exists. Its average capacity in timber of all sorts seldom 

exceeds'l,900 cubic feet per acre. In the middle zone is often a heavy and very 

close stockage, especially in the lodgepole-pine stands of pure or nearly pure 

growth, where the yield frequeritly runs as high as 6,000 to 7,000 cubic feet per 

aci·e. The subalpine forest is thinly stocked, and will not average 1,000 cubic 

feet per acre. 
TOTAL STAND OF TIMBER. 71 

The volume of timber in the quadrangle is shown in the appended table, trees 

less than 4 inches in basal diameter being excluded from the estimates: 

Total stand of timber in the hittle Belt Mmmtains quadmngle. 

Species. 

Limber pine ................................. . 

Lodgepole pine .............................. . 

:Mill timber. 

Feet B. ,1[, 

4,050,000 

159,300,000 

Yellow pine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 800, 000 

White-bark pine ............................................. . 

Red fir....................................... 287,650,000 

Subalpine fir· ............................. c ••••••••••• - ••••••• 

Engelmann spruce ...... , . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81, 750, 000 

Aspen and cottonwood ....................................... . 

Total ..................... ' ............. . 544,550,000 

/ 

Pole and fuel 

timber. 

Cubic feet. 

20,195,000 

398,940,000 

7,400,000 

900,000 

. 613, 935, 000 

12,120,000 

104,660,000 

6,000,000 

1,164,150,000 

Total volume of all 

timber. 

Cubic feet. 

20,924,000 

427,614,000 

9,524,000 

900,000 

665;712,000 

12,120,000 

119,375,000 

6,000,000 

1,262,169,000 

Extensive fires have swept large areas in the quadrangle during the last 

thirty-five or forty years. Iu the aggregate_ 160,000 acres have been burned over, 

involving total destruction of the forest. The greatest acreage of burned_ forest 

is in the Little Belt Mountains Forest Reserve. Portions of the central areas of 

the· Castle Mountains and of the lower slopes of the Crazy Mountains likewise 

have suffered severely. 

Restockage is abundant throughout the ruidclle and lower zones of the forest, 

except on the southern slopes, in nearly pur.e red-fir stands where fire has run. 

Lodgepole pine leads everywhere in the reforestations. In the subalpine forest 

reproduction is scanty. When the stands are destroyed by fire at the high 

elevations a grassy turf takes their place and apparently persists for a century 

or two. 

INDEX. 

A. 

Page. 

Abies lasiocarpa. See Fir; subalpine. 

Agricultural lands, extent, location, and character 

of,inLittleBeltMountainsForestReserve 10,13 

extent, location, and character of, in Little Belt 

Mountains quadrangle------------------- 67-69 

For definite localities, see Townships. 

Alder, occurrenceof ______________ -------------------- 16,18 

Aspen, occurrence of--------------------------------- 18 

percentage of_------------------------------------ 16,70 

B. 

Barker, Mont., abandonment of--------------------- 61 

woodcutting for---------------------------------- 22,63 

Barker mining district, location and character of .. ' 13 

Barker Mountain, location of-----'------------------' 61,62 

Barren areas, extent of, in Little Belt Mountains 

Forest Reserve-----------------·---------- 10 

extent of,in Little Belt Mountains quadrangle.. 67 

For definite localities, see Townships. 

Belt, Mont., mine props for-------------------------- 2".3 

Belt Creek, basin of---------------------------------- 12 

basin of, burns in _______________ ------------------ 25 

woodcutting in------------------------------- 2".3 

discharge of ___ ------------------------____________ 46 

Burned areas, extent of, in Little Belt Mountains 

Forest Reserve. _____ ---------------------- 10,23 

extent of, in Little Belt Mountains quadrangle. 71 

For definite localities, see Townships. 

Burns. See Fires. 

c. 

Castle Mountains, altitude of------------------------ 68 

burns on------------------------------------------ 71 

location and extent of------ ________ ------________ 68 

Cherry, wild, occurrence of. ... ____ ------------------ 16,18 

Copper, occurrence of.-----------_----------- ________ 13,48 

Cottonwood, occurrence of-------------------------- 18 

percentage of. ________ ------ ____ ------ ____ -------- 16,70 

Crazy Mountains, altitude of------------------------ 68 

burns on·-----------------------·----------------- 71 

location and character of------------------------ 68 

run-off of ____ ------------------------------------.. 68 

Cutting. See Woodcutting. 

D. 

Daisy Dean block, grazing on .. ---------------------- 15 

location of ____ .... ____ ...... ______ ____ ____ ____ __ __ 11 

Daisy Dean Creek, flow of. ..... ----·----------------- 27-28 

gap at head of ------------------------------------ 11 location of _________________________ ... __ __ __ __ ____ 12 

Drainage, features of, in Little Belt Mountains Forest Reserve--------------------- ...... ---- 12 

features of, in Little Belt Mountains quadrangle_. 68 

For definite localities, see Townships. 

Dry Wolf Creek, basin of, restockage in____________ 25 

E. 

Page. 

Engelmann Spruce. See Spruce, Engelmann. 

F. 

·Fir, red, age and dimensions of ...... ____ ...... ------ 19 

cutting of----------------- .... -------------·------- 20 occurrence of ________ --------------- ________ ...... 16,70 

~=:~:n~~~~~~ ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :·j;,_i~: ~~ restockage by .. -----------------.-----.---·------- 24-25 

volume of-------------------------------------- 20-21,71 

For definite localit-ies, see Townships. ' 

Fir, subalpine, age and .dimensions of.-------------- 19 

occurrence of. ____ ...... _----- ____ .--------- ______ 16,70 

percentage of. ____ . _____ --------...... ____________ 16,70 

range of.-------.-----.------------------------- 17-18,70 restockage by _______ .: .. _________________ -----____ 24 

volume of ____________ ...... _________________ ••.... 21,71 

For definite localities, see Townships. 

Fires, in Little Belt Mountains Forest Reserve ..... 23,24 

in Little Belt Mountains quadrangle------------ 71 

For defin-ite localities, see Townships. 

Foothills, extent, location, and chara.cter of ____ .... 14 

Forest, in Little Belt Mountains Forest Reserve, 

age of. _______ .. -- __ , _____ -- __ ... __ _ __ __ __ __ 19--20 

in Little Belt Mountains Forest Reserve, altitudinal range of-------------------------- 16-18 

composition of __ ---- ... ---.-----.-------- __ ___ 16 

effect of, on run-off--------------------------- 20 

growth of ____ • __ --------- ------ __ ----. ____ ____ 20 

replacement of, by grass--------------------- 24 

in Little Belt Mountains quadrangle, composi- tion of . ____________ ...... _____ • ______ . ____ _ 70 

fires in ...... _ ....... ----.-----------._ .... _____ 71 zones of. .•. __________ ... ______ .. ___ ., ..... _____ 70 

Ji'or definite localities, see Townships. 

Forested areas, extent of, in Little Belt·Mountains 

Forest Reserve .. ----______________________ 10 

extent of, in Little Belt'Mountains quadrangle. 67 

FOl' definit.e localities, see Townships. 

Fort Benton quadrangle, land-classification map of 

part of. ... ______ .... ---- _____ . ____ .________ 10 

G. 

Geology of Little Belt Mountains .. ------------------ ·11 • of Niehart Baldy-Yogo Ridge ____________________ 11-12 

Grass, growth of, after fires .. __________ . ____________ ~ 24,71 

Grazing, occurrence and effects of. ...... ______ ... ,.. 15 

For definite localities, see Townships. 

Grazing lands, extent, location, and character of, in 

Little Belt Mountains Forest Reserve 10,14--15 

extent, location, and character of, in Little Belt 

Mountains quadrangle----- .... ------ ____ 67,69 

For definite localities, see Townships. 

Great Falls, Mont., smelter poles for ______ ---------- 22-23 

woodcutting for---------------------------------- 63 

73 
74 INDEX. 

H.. 

Page. 

Haymaker block, altitude of. ... ----····--···--···--- 3~7 

location of. ..... ·----··-··-·-····--···----·-··---·- 11 

Haymaker Creek, canyon of--··----··-· ______ --···-- 37 

gap at head of. ..... _ ..... --·-------···---···---·__ 11 

location of ............. ----·----·---···---·-------· 12 Hughesville, Mont., abandonment of._______________ 61 

I. 

Iron ore, occurrence of ------------------------------ 13 

Irrigation, in Little Belt quach·angle _ ..... ____ ··-···- 68-69 

J. 

Judith River, basin of. ............................... 12,68 

drainage of··-··-·-·-··-····-·-····--·---··· 32,34,48,52 

fires on _ .... __ ..... __ .... __ .... __ ... _ . _ .. __ ....... _ 23 

minerals on_______________________________________ 13 

woodcuttingou --···-·····---····--···--···-····· 50 

L. 

Lakes, location of ....... _ ..... --··-·_ ..... ---·-----·-- 12 

Limber pine. See Pine, limber. 

Litter, occurrence of ............ ." .................... 23,24 

For definite localities, see Townships. 

Little Belt Mountains, altitudes in .......... · ........ 11,68 

locationandcharucterof ····-·······--···----··· 11,68 

run-off of. ......... _ ................. --··--·----.... 68 

Little Belt Mountains Forest Reserve, agricultural 

lands of._ ........ _ ..... _ ..... --··-----·.... 13 

altitudes of. ____ ................. _ ..... _-·-·-...... 12 

drainage in ...... --····--····--····-·-··----·...... 12 

establishment of ...... · ____ .... --·-------·. ____ ·--- 9 

forest conditions in ........ -··-·_--··· ........ ·--- 16-25 

grazing lands of······----······--·······'··------ 1·J-15 

lands in, classification of.--··-- ...... ---·------·- 10 

location and extent of··--·-········--·--··---··-- 9-10 

mining areas and minerals of ...... -··-------···- 12-13 

topography of······-···-·······-·····---·-----··- 11-12 

woodlands of. ..... _ ..... ---··· ...... ______ ........ V> 

F'or clejlnite locaUtieB_, see Townships. 

Little Belt Mountains quadrangle, agricultural lands 

in ...... __ --··-· .... ·"···-·-.... ---· ........ 68-69 

drainage of..-----· __ ···--··· ................... ____ 68 

forest in ______ -···-·-·--··· ........ ________ ........ 70-71 

grazing lands in __ , __ --·····-----·-_ ..... __ .... -··- 69 

land-ulassification map of------------------------ 10 

lands in, classification of._: ............ --····.... 67 

location of ..... _____ ..... ·--·--···· ........ --·----· 67 

topography of. .... ·--------······· .... ·----··-···- 67-68 

woodlands of. _______________ -·-- ........ ~-----···- 6~ 

For definite localities, see Townships. 

Lodgepole pine. See Pine, lodgepole. 

Lost Fork of Judith, canyon of, location of-----____ 42 

valley of, route through .. , .... -----·---------·-·· 41 

See ctlso Judith River. 

Logging. See "\Voodcutting. 

f 

l\L 

Middle Fork of Judith. See Judith River. 

Mine props, cutting of. ... --·--------- ...... --·-...... 22 

Mining areas and minerals, location and character 

of--·----·-···--·---------·····-----·--·-··- 12--13 

Fa•· definite localities, see Townships. 

Mbces Baldy, location and character of--····---··-- 62 

Musselshell River, basin of--···- .... ·-·--·------•... 12,68 

slopes of, restockage on--···-••...• ---···-------- 25 

N. 

Page. 

Neihart, Mont., cutting for--·--·-------·-···--·----- 54 

location of.---··-_ ..... ---··- _____ ......... ·------- 54 

woodcutting near--·--------·-··----···---···- ____ · 2"2 

Neihart Baldy, altitude of--·---------·-·····-----·--- 53 

location of.---··---···-----••.... --·----··· ____ ···- 11 

Neihart Baldy-Porphyt·y Peak ridge, grazing on... 15 

location and character of --··-- --··-·- --··-- --···· 11-12 

N~ihart Baldy-Yoga ridge, altitudes in.............. 11 

grazing on--···----·---···----··-----·-···------·- 15 

locationandcharacterof -···----···-·····---···· 11-12 

Neihart mining district, location and character of_ 13 

·Nontimbered areas, extent of, in Little Bolt Mountains Forest Reserve .... ____ .... ·----·-·· 10 

extent of, in Little Belt Mountains quadrangle. 67 

Fo1· definite localit-ies, see Townships. 

P. 

Parks, extent, location, and ch""acter of··--------- 14-16 

Picea Engelmanni. See Spruce, ·Engelmann. 

Pine, limber, age and dimensions of.________________ W 

occurrence of ______ ------.------ ___________________ 16,70 

percentage of·-··---······-··"····-·····-··-----··- 16;70 

range of. ..... _ ..... _ ..... ___ --···----··---··--. 16--18,70 

restockagc by--···· ...... ·--···- ...... ·----------- 24 

volume of·-·------,.----·----·-··-----------·----- 21,70 

For definite localities, see Townships. 

Pine, lodgepole, age and dimensions of ......... _____ - 19 

cutting of·--···-·····----····-···----··--····--·-· 20 

occurrence of _______ ------ ______ ------------------ 16,70 

percentage of_ ..... --·--·-·-···----·-....... -···-- 16,70 

range of .... _ ..... ------··-·_··-·-···- .... --··-- 17-18,70 

restockage by·-·-...... -·-·-··---···· ____ --···- 24--2.5,71 

volume of .... _·-··- ...... ---··· .... ·--- ____ --·- 20-21,70 

Fo•· definite localities, sell Townships. 

Pine, white-bark, age and dimensions of. ..... ---··- 19 

occurrence of. ... --···- ...... --···- ....... ----···- 16 

percentage of.---··---···---····---···-·-··---···- 16,70 

range of._ ..... --··-- .... --····---·-- .•.... -----·-- 17-18 

volume of--···· .... ____ -··--··-...... ---···_--···- 21,71 

For definite locctlities, see Townships. 

Pine, yellow, age and dimensions of.________________ 19 

cutting of---·--. ____ --·· ........ -----··-·····----- 20 

occurrence of------------------------------------- 16,70 

percentage of---·-----·--····--------------------- 16,70 

range of.._ ..... --··-----··· ...... _ ..... -·------ 16--17,70 

restockage 1>y ------·······--------------------- 24 

volume of .... --····----···--·------···---·-··-· 20-21,70 

For clejinite localitie8~ see Townships~ 

Pinus albicaulis. See Pine, white-bark. 

Pinus flcxilis. See Pine, limber. 

Pinus murrayana. See Pine, lodgepole. 

Pinus ponderosa. See Pine, yellow. 

Porphyry Peak, altitude of··--.... ____ ---·-··------- 46 

Psuedotsuga taxifolia. See Fir, red. 

R. 

Rang<', altitudinal, of species_-------------------- 16--18,70 

See ctlso tinder names of species. • 

Red fir. See Fir, red 

-Reproduction, extent of, in Little Belt Mountains 

Forest Reserve .... --···---····------------ 24--25 extent of, in Little Belt Mountains quadrangle. 71 

Fo1· definite localities, see Townships. 

Richmond Creek, gap at head of_____________________ 32 

lake at head of. ... -;···------- ____ --------------·- 12,32 

Running Wolf Creek, basin of, restockage in_______ 25 

drainage of __________ ------------------------------ 58 

location of ........ ---·-·--------------------·-····- 12 
INDEX. 75 

s. 

Page. 

Sage Creek, location of.______________________________ 59 

Sand Coulee, Mont., mine props for----------------- 22 

Sapphire, :Mont., mining at----------------------···- 52 

Sapphire mining district, location and character 

· oL.------------------------------··-··-··-· 13 

woodcutting for---------------------------···.... 22 

Sapphires, occurrence of. ............ ____ ........ ---- 13 

Sawmills, location of................................. 2-2 

Sedimentary rocks, fissuring in .... ____ .............. 12 

Service berry, occunence of.------·- ____ .... ----.... 18 

Shields River, drainage of---------.................. 68 

Silver, production of. ........... ----------------...... 13 

Sixteenmile Creek, drainage of...................... 68 

Smith River, drainage of----------·················- 68 

Snow, persistence of. ............................. ---- 56 

Soil. See Agricultural lands. 

South Fork of Judith. See Judith River. 

Spring Creek, flow of. ....... ----------·----·--------· 26 

gap at headoL ......................... ----------- 11 

location of. ____ ...................... ____ .. _........ 12 

Spring Creek mining district, location and character of------------------.................... 13 

Spruce, Engelmrmn,age and dimensions of......... 19 

cutting of------------·-------- ____ --------........ 20 

occurrence of _____ ---·------------ ____ ------------ 16l70 

percentage of _________ .... _ ............... -------- 16,70 

range of..:.---·--.............. ------------ .... li-18, 70 

restockage by ............... _ ................. ---- 24-25 

volume of ____ ...... ---------- -·-------·- ...... 2D--21, 71 

Fo1· definite locnlities, see Townships. 

T. 

Taylor Peak, burns on............................... 25 

Thorn, occurrence of ........... ---------------------- 18 

Timber, altitudinal and regional distribution of ... 16,70 

~7!~~~i~-;;~-;;i ::::::·_:::::·_: ::::::::::::::::::::::: ~~ species of, percentage of, in Little Belt :Mountains Forest Reserve ..................... 16 

percentage of, in Little Belt ]\fountains quadrangle..................................... 70 

stand of, diagram showing....................... 16 

volume of ...................................... 21)..22, 71 

zorics of ................ ------------ ............ 16--17,70 

Timber, mill, diameters of........................... 21 

stand of, diagram showing....................... 16 

volume of----------------------------------------- 2D--22 

Timber, pole and fuel, volume of. .................... 2D--21 

Fo,- d~jinite localities, see Townships. 

Topography, character of, in Little Belt Mountains 

Forest Reserve........................... 11 

character of, in Little Belt J\Iountains quadrangle ..................................... 67-68 

Fo.- definite local-ities, see Townships. 

Townships, conditions in: 

Township 10 north, range 10 east ................ 25-27 

Township 10 north, range 11 east ................ 27-29 

0 

Page. 

Townships, conditions in-Continued. 

Township 10 north, range 12 east .... _.... 29-30 

Township 10 north, range 13 east---------------- 3D--32 

Township 11 north, range 9 east ................. 32-33 

Township llnorth, range 10 cast ................ &>-35 

Township 11 north, range 11 east ...........•... _ 35-36 

Township 11 north, range 12 east ____ ........ ---- 3£h'l8 

Township 11 north, range 13 east---------------- 38-40 

Township 12 north, range 9 east .. · ............... 46-42 

Township 12 north, range 10 east .... ------------ 42--44 

Township 12 north, range 11 east ...•........ ---· 44-45 

Township 13 north, range 8 east ................. 46-47 

Township 13 north, range 9 east ..... ------------ 47-49 

•rownship 13 north, range 10 east ................ 49-51 

Township 13 north, range 11 east---------------- 51-53 

Township 14 north, range 8 east _____ ............ 53-fli\ 

Township 14 north, range 9 east ................. 55-57 

Township U north, range 10 east---------------- 57~59 

Township 14 north, range 11 east ...... ---------- 59-60 

Township 15 north, range 8 east ................. 61-62 

Township],; north, range 9 east ................. 62-64 

Township 15 north, range 10 east ............ ---- 64-66 

Trail Creek. See Richmond Creek. 

Twin Peak block, altitude of------------------------ 39 

character of ...................... ------------ ____ 38-.'39 

grazing on .................. --------------------.-- 15 

location of----------------- ---------------------- 11 

w. 

White-bark pine. See Pine, white-bark. 

Willows, occurrence of ............................... i6,18 

Wolf Creek, basin of ..................... -----------.. 12 

Wolf Creek mining district, location and character 

of. ................. ____ ................ ____ 13 

Woodcutting, cessation of........................... 23 

exteni)and character of. ......................... 22-23 

Fo,- defi.nite localities, see Townships. 

Wooded areas, extent of, in Little Belt Mountains. 

Forest Reserve............................ 10 

extent of, in Little Belt Mountains quadrangle. 67 

Woodhnrst Mountains, woodcutting on............. 60 

WoocUands, extent, location, and character of, 

in Little Belt Mountains Forest Reserve ...................................... 14,15 

extent, location, and character of, in Little Belt 

llfountainsquadrangle ................... 69 

For definite localities, see Townships. 

Y. 

Yellow pine. See Pine, yellow. 

Yoga, Mont., location of.............................. 58 

Yoga Canyon, woodcutting in----------------------- 22 

Yogo Creek, drainage of ...... ----------------------- 52 

location of . ___ .................. -------------..... 12 

woodcutting on .......... ------ .... --------------- 50 

Yoga mining district, location and character of.... 13 

Yoga Peak, altitude of ............................... 11-12 

location and character of........................ 11 
----~r--------