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Shadow Dancer Way
Stevensville, MT 59870
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The views of the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains are incredible. There are just 7 home sites available here on Shadow Dancer Way. Each lot has been septic approved by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. These great building sites are paved to your driveway. Underground utilities are ready for your new home. The surrounding area is mostly larger tracts of open land. There are covenants on each lot to protect the character of the neighborhood and your investment.
The location is perfect for peaceful, country living...while at the same time convenient to nearby historic Stevensville, MT and just 25 minutes from Missoula, MT. The roads leading to this neighborhood are paved and county maintained. Wake up to the sounds of meadowlarks singing, and enjoy the tranquility of Shadow Dancer Way. Horses are allowed here, but if you don't have any...the rich top soil is will make for a wonderful garden. Bring your building plans, and make Shadow Dancer Way your new address. Call Steve Benedict, seven days a week, at (406) 360-0015 for more details or your private showing.
ABOUT THE BITTERROOT VALLEY
Located just 15 miles south of Missoula, The Bitterroot Valley is one of the most scenic and beautiful areas in the country. To the west, the Bitterroot Mountains offer a dramatic backdrop with steep canyons and pine forests, while the Sapphire Range, to the east, provides a more gentle, though equally impressive views of the mountains high ridges and open meadows. Scattered throughout this landscape are ranches amidst acres of lush fields fed by the magnificent Bitterroot River as it meanders north along the length of the valley.
RECREATION & ATTRACTIONS
World Class Trout Fishing
Cold, clear mountain streams, quiet lakes and secret creeks offer solitude, spectacular scenery and world class trout fishing. With its gentle currents and easy wading, the Bitterroot River is the ideal trout stream, offering the angler 70 plus miles of unsurpassed fishing. Native to this river are species such as Brook Trout, Brown, Bull, Cutthroat, Cutthroat/Rainbow cross and Rainbow Trout as well as Mountain Whitefish. State fishing access sites along the Bitterroot River are spaced at five to ten mile intervals, allowing wading anglers key entry points and providing floaters with options for full or half-day trips. Most streams in the valley pass through some private land; Montana law allows the public to make recreational use of rivers and streams between the ordinary high water marks.
The Bitterroot River is well known as one of the finest dry fly fishing rivers in the state. The dry fly season begins sometime in March, depending on the weather, and ends in late November. Most waters are in prime condition, free of spring runoff from late June through October. Alpine lake fishing is confined to the summer months here in the Bitterroot Valley. Water freezes lower lakes in December and doesn’t let go until March or April, making ice fishing a popular sport.
Golf
Blessed with Montana’s best weather, golf in the Bitterroot Valley generally runs from March 1st through October 31. Montana’s long summer days allow the golfer plenty of opportunity to enjoy this sport. Two 18 hole golf courses are located within the Hamilton area, both providing spectacular views of the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountain Ranges. The Hamilton Golf Club has long been listed as one of the best public courses in the Northwest and an outstanding golfing value. The Stock Farm Club is a private 18-hole executive golf course situated on the old Bitterroot Stock Farm on Hamilton’s east side. In addition to these courses, there is Whitetail Golf Course, a 9 hole public golf course located within the boundaries of the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge in Stevensville.
Big Game Hunting
In Montana it’s been said there are only three seasons; summer, winter and hunting. There are few places in the world where our hunting heritage is as well respected and well represented as in Montana. The high country thrill of stalking elk in the Rockies on a crisp fall morning with a fresh sprinkling of powder snow is an awesome experience. The Bitterroot Valley offers the big game hunter an abundance of wild game, including deer, elk, bear, cougar, moose, bighorn sheep and a variety of smaller animals.
Hiking, Mountain Biking, Trail Riding
Whether on foot, horseback or bike, the Bitterroot Valley and surrounding mountains offer an endless variety of trails for recreational use. There are 1,600 miles of backcountry trails, several primitive camp areas and Forest Service cabins available for use, and 18 developed campgrounds in the area. Almost all canyon trailheads in the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains have Forest Service loading stations and tie-ups, outdoor privies and turnouts. These trails are the only access to the alpine lakes in both mountain ranges. The Forest Service has a full description of all wilderness hiking and riding trails. They are usually open and snow free by July 15th. For leisurely walking, the Lee Metcalf and Teller Wildlife Refuges offer well-marked, interesting and informative trails. For a morning stroll, the Kiwanis Park along the Bitterroot River in Hamilton offers trails within the park with benches and a gazebo for relaxation. Also easy and wheelchair accessible are Centennial Grove, Spring Gulch and Warm Spring Trail. For hiking, riding and biking with more varied grades, there are roads and trails surrounding Painted Rocks Lake and Lake Como. The Skalkaho Pass Area in the Sapphire Mountains offers scenic views and a variety of quality terrain from open meadow to challenging trails for horseback riding and hiking. Other popular trails of moderate grade include Camas Creek, Blodgett Overlook, Mill Creek, and St. Mary’s Peak trails, to name a few. For more information on the miles of scenic trails in the Bitterroot Valley, consult the Recreation Opportunity Guide at the Bitterroot National Forest Service office, or check their website at: www.bitterroot.net/usdafs.
On the eastern side of the Bitterroot Valley lies the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, the third largest Wilderness in the lower 48 states. This Wilderness forms a rugged, glacier-carved border between Idaho and Montana. Hundreds of miles of trails, more than 700 in the Moose Creek Ranger District alone, wind through the area. This vast wildland is one of the roughest mountain areas, where high ridges and dense forests hide numerous streams and more than 100 lakes. The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness is accessed through canyon trails on the Idaho side of the Bitterroot Mountains from Forest Service maintained trailheads. These trails provide access to prime hunting and fishing in the high alpine lakes and streams.
Water Activities
For the boater, water-skier and wake-boarder, there are two scenic lakes located in the Bitterroot Valley. The largest, Como Lake (916 acres), is the premier recreation destination for many valley residents. There is a protected swimming beach and day use area, a boat launch, campgrounds with water and restrooms, and access to miles of roads and trails for hiking, riding and dirt biking. The lake is a favorite for water sports and contains Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout. Painted Rocks Lake, a man-made reservoir created as a WPA irrigation project, is part of a 263 acre state park offering boating, swimming, fishing, camping, hiking and other recreational opportunities. Six species of game fish call Painted Rocks Lake home: Mountain Whitefish, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, and Dolly Varden.
For the rafter, the Bitterroot River offers more than 75 miles of floatable water, beginning about 6 miles south of Darby and ending at the convergence of the Clark Fork in Missoula. A float trip along any part of the Bitterroot River affords a perfect opportunity to witness a display of wildlife activities within a magnificent setting. For the more adventuresome, there is whitewater rafting. Some of the finest whitewater in the west is found northwest of Missoula. Hidden deep within the spectacular Alberton Gorge on the Clark Fork River is Western Montana’s premier whitewater and kayaking run. The Gorge is a fun filled day of roller coaster rapids, quiet pools and awesome scenery. To the south of Hamilton (90 miles) lies the dynamic and relentless Salmon River, which offers both gentle float trips and whitewater rapids. The Salmon River has many significant tributaries, but none rival the Middlefork for exhilarating rapids, stunning scenery, excellent trout fishing, pristine wilderness and worldwide reputation.
Snow Sports
Winter in the Bitterroot Valley is a season of exhilarating recreation and snug nights by the fire. As the first snowfall blankets the ground, the scene becomes one of profound beauty and wonders. Elk, deer, bighorn sheep and other wildlife move down to the lower elevations, making winter the best season to view much of Montana’s abundant wildlife. Snow creates a perfect stage in Montana’s back-country, making it easy and fun to identify animal tracks imprinted in the snow. Perfect powder snow and brilliant blue sky are some reasons why people say Montana is at its best under a blanket of snow. These are, of course, the skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers.
At Lost Trail Pass, elevation, 7000 ft., you’ll find Lost Trail Powder Mountain Ski Area and Lodge . The ski area has the best snow depth (over 300 inches) and the highest quality natural snow found in the northwest. On the average, Lost Trail has 85-90% sunny days, with temperatures averaging 20 degrees throughout the season. Lifts transport fun seekers up 1800 feet from 6,400 feet to the top of the mountain at 8,200 feet. Choose from a total of 45 trails, with many well-groomed runs extending from Montana into Idaho. Other downhill ski areas within 1-1/2 hours of Hamilton are Montana Snowbowl located north of Missoula and offering 30 runs on 700 acres of extreme skiing; and Marshall Mountain, also located north of Missoula and offering 22 runs.
For cross country skiers, the Bitterroot Cross Country Ski Club maintains the Chief Joseph Ski Course near Lost Trail Pass at the intersection of Hwy 93 and U.S. 43. Trails are groomed Thursdays, and there is parking along U.S. 43.
The Lost Trail Winter Park Area also offers great mileage for the snowmobiles through Forest Service road systems, open parks, meadows, and rolling hills with little danger of avalanche. One of Montana’s lest-travelled snowmobile areas, Skalkaho Pass, is also one of the most scenic. Closed to automobile traffic, this area offers privileged views of frozen Skalkaho Falls, tall peaks and deep canyons. Skalkaho Pass area offers 26 miles of groomed trails. From there, open areas and ungroomed trails offer a wide variety of terrain for all skill levels.
CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS
The Bitterroot Valley offers an assortment of cultural attractions and activities for almost every interest. History buffs enjoy visiting the Daly Mansion, Hamilton, built by copper baron Marcus Daly; St. Mary’s Mission, Stevensville, the first settlement in the state of Montana; the Ravalli County Museum in Hamilton; and points of interest along the Lewis and Clark Trail from Ross’ Hole in Sula to Travelers’ Rest in Lolo. Other museums within the Bitterroot Valley include The Darby Museum, the Victor Heritage Museum and the Stevensville Historical Museum. Just 2 hours south of Hamilton in the Big Hole River Valley is the Big Hole Battlefield, a National Historic Site. It was here that five bands of Nez Perce Indians resisted attempts by the government to place them on reservations. This National Historic Site features an interpreted trail and historical center. Bannack Ghost Town, the First Territorial Capital of Montana and a preserved National Historic Landmark is also located in the Big Hole River Valley.
For arts and entertainment, there is the Hamilton Playhouse, and the Hamilton Performing Arts Center, in Hamilton; the Chantilly Theater in Stevensville, the Bitterroot Youth Symphony, the Bitterroot Arts Guild, and the Treasure State Art Show.
Along with these cultural attractions, communities throughout the Valley offer an array of fine dining establishments, unique shops, antique dealers and art galleries, many with the focus on the western Montana lifestyle.
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