Arcadia Publishing Beartooth Mountains History Book

The name Beartooth suggests strength, rawness and force. Indeed, the Beartooth Mountains are a power and are unsurpassed in splendor and beauty. The voluminous masses are said to compromise one of the largest contiguous areas in North America. Early natives came in search of game in both the high country and rich valleys, especially the Crows, who used the area frequently. Later, miners appeared in search of precious metals and developed gold, chrome and platinum mines. Geographers came and scaled mountain peaks, defining, naming and mapping. Cattle and sheepmen were also lured to the lush mountain pastures. Eventually, trails became roads and the Beartooth Plateau was easily accessible upon the completion of the Beartooth Highway. With the creation of the US Forest Service, forestlands were surveyed and protected by wilderness status. Soon, dudes were upon the landscape and an industry was created amongst the peaks and prairies of the Beartooths.