Missoula area vegetation? (Great Falls, Arlee, Alberton: to buy, living, costs)

[hail_santa]

I've seen pictures of the town itself and it looks pretty barren. Due to my hiking obsession, I'd like to find a large area of forest within a short drive. Perhaps there's a nice stretch of wilderness nearby?

Thanks in advance.

[GiftShoppeGuy]

Originally Posted by hail_santa

I've seen pictures of the town itself and it looks pretty barren. Due to my hiking obsession, I'd like to find a large area of forest within a short drive. Perhaps there's a nice stretch of wilderness nearby?

Thanks in advance.

Oh you won't have much of a problem finding woods full of bears and big cats.... I assure you.

The photos of Missoula anymore show the town with the gross icky looking Mt Sentinal as the backdrop..... with the big M on it.

Trust me..... there is more to Missoula than that oogly old hill they keep trying to get us all to look at.

[hail_santa]

I'm not actually looking to buy land. Just curious if the land around Missoula is forested.

[hail_santa]

Ah, there we go. For some reason I couldn't see your post, GiftShoppeGuy. Actually you're correct. I based alot on that picture of the 'M' hill.
Looked pretty bleak. Great to hear there's more than that. Bears, huh? Might need a weapon upgrade.....

[GiftShoppeGuy]

If you want to buy woods, then you should go after areas around 9 mile, Alberton, Huson, or north up to Evaro or Arlee, or west of LoLo on Lo Lo creek.

Much of anything at all that puts you into the woods around Missoula proper is either sold or is National Forest Land.

They might have something up the Rattlesnake, but I find it unlikely.
There might also be something for you up Grant Creek, or Butler Creek.

Other areas that can put you pretty close to the Zoo would be anywhere up along hiway 200 to Patomic (Elk Creek area is nice) and along the Blackfoot.

I haven't actively participated in the building industry in Missoula since 1991, and it's hard to keep track of it all sometimes.

I could go on and on about Great Falls though, (it's where I live now), but I only get over to Missoula and the Bitterroot every few months or so to visit friends.

Good luck though.......
I'm sure you will find what you're looking for.

[mthuntnow]

Missoula is quite different from the impression you must have. There are two bald mountains near Missoula and yes, they seem to turn up in every picture. The rest is alpine forrest, just remember it's thick with hunters from September through December.

Your problem will be making a living. If you won't need to work then you'll drown our economy even more (in respect to us poor locals) and inflate our housing costs making it impossible for natives to survive here. So, you'll definitely see some disdain and maybe even attack if you don't blend.

good luck, or not really

[ladyflyfsh]

Missoula has lots of great hiking trails nearby. Heading down into the Bitteroot there are lakes and tons and tons of forested land for hiking. Winters aren't the best as they get lots of weather coming from the PNW and get lots of snow, fog and wet! BUT it's a nice area for recreation and lots to do nearby.