The valley extends approximately from Lost Trail Pass in
Idaho, where it is narrow, to a point near the city of
Missoula along
Interstate 90 where it is wider and flatter. To the west is the
Bitterroot Range and its large
Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area, and to the east is the smaller
Sapphire Mountains and their
Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Area. The Bitterroot Range has steep faces, deep canyons, is heavily forested, and is within the
Bitterroot National Forest. The Sapphire Mountains are more rounded, drier, and much less forested. The southern end of the valley is split into the East and West Forks of the
Bitterroot River, and the northern end has the
confluence of the Bitterroot River with the
Clark Fork River. Connecting into the west side of the valley are numerous deeply carved granite canyons, including scenic
Blodgett Canyon and Lolo Creek's canyon. The vegetation in the valley has been significantly transformed. Originally it was covered in
sagebrush.
Highway 93 runs through the center of the valley, exiting to the south over 7,014 feet (2,138 m) Lost Trail Pass. U.S. Highway 93 is the main travel choice through the Bitterroot Valley, but the East Side Highway also runs through the valley, although it is much less traveled.
Communities Communities within the valley include:
Lolo in
Missoula County; and
Florence,
Stevensville,
Victor,
Corvallis, Hamilton,
Darby,
Conner, and
Sula in
Ravalli County.
Hamilton, the largest town and the county seat of Ravalli County, is located at 46°14.8'N and 114°09.6'W at an elevation of with a population of 12,000. Business opportunities within these cities include manufacturing, agriculture, craft breweries, wineries, recreational services, and many entrepreneurs. ==History==