Not far from Montana's I-90 corridor and the city of Butte, any reference to this big city's bustle soon disappears as travelers take MT 274 westward through sections of the largest national forest in Montana. Covering portions of eight counties, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest envelops over three million acres.
   Dwarfed by the national forestland, but very large by eastern U.S. standards, the Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area occupies nearly 60,000 acres. Here in the foothills and mountains under the Continental Divide, this preserve provides year round habitat for an abundant population of elk, deer, moose, and antelope. Furbearing mammals, such as beaver, muskrat and mink are active along riverbanks and lake shores, while raptors and black bears are spotted occasionally throughout the preserve.
   During summer and fall, wildlife watching, hiking and horseback riding are some of the favorite recreational pastimes. Winter outdoor enthusiasts make the most of short days and explore the area on snowmobiles or skies. With snowmobilers in mind throughout the Deerlodge area, back-country trails are regularly groomed and routes are closed to vehicular traffic from December 1st through April 1st.
   Here in the Mount Haggin Preserve, among the ponderosa and lodgepole pines, sunshine, blue skies and a brilliant white snowfall have created a marvelous winter scene and an unforgettable day on the trail.

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