Unit 293

Rogers Pass and Stemple Pass serve as major navigational anchors and natural corridors. The Herrin Lakes complex and Mike Horse Reservoir provide water reference points and camping areas. Shirley Mountain, Roundtop Mountain, and McCabe Mountain offer orientation on the ridgelines, though dense timber limits their visibility from distant vantage points.

Arrastra Creek, Salmon Creek, and the Blackfoot River system form major drainage lines useful for route-finding. Alice Creek Basin and Porcupine Basin define terrain compartments. These features work best for close-range navigation rather than long-distance glassing due to the forested nature of the unit.

The terrain spans from lower valley floors near 4,000 feet up to ridgelines exceeding 9,300 feet, with most of the unit sitting in the 5,500 to 8,000-foot band. Dense conifer forest—primarily Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine at lower elevations transitioning to spruce-fir at higher elevations—dominates the landscape. Scattered meadows and parks break the timber: Thompson Flats, Martin Park, and Doney Meadows provide openings where glassing is possible.

The rolling topography means continuous ups and downs rather than dramatic peaks; ridges slope gradually and valleys are broad rather than deep. Expect dense stands of timber interspersed with small clearings rather than expansive open country.

Approximately 1,200 miles of road network provide fair overall access, though the actual road density relative to unit size is moderate. US Highway 12 and State Route 200 offer primary access; State Route 141 provides entry from the west. Forest Service roads branch throughout, including the Ogden Mountain Road, Stemple Pass Road, and Herrin Lakes Road.

Most roads are passable but rough; some gates exist on private or managed sections. The connected network means hunters can stage from multiple directions, though the rolling terrain and dense forest create natural compartments that reduce competition. Expect moderate pressure during season.

Unit 293 straddles the crest of the Continental Divide in Powell and Lewis and Clark Counties, anchored by Rogers Pass to the north and extending south to MacDonald Pass. The unit encompasses the drainages between US Highway 12 to the west and the Blackfoot River system to the east, with State Route 200 cutting through the middle. This is established mining and ranching country—historical settlements like Copper Camp and Silver King mark the landscape, though most are now ruins.

The unit sits at the intersection of the Mission Mountains ecosystem and the Garnet Range, creating a distinct high-valley terrain.

Water is the unit's limiting factor. Herrin Lakes and the smaller mountain lakes (Camp Lake, Keep Cool Lakes, Spawn Lake) provide reliable water, but they're scattered and not densely distributed. Springs like Cayuse Spring, American Gulch Spring, and Polly Springs exist but require knowledge of specific locations.

Perennial creeks including Arrastra Creek, Salmon Creek, Lake Creek, and Clear Creek flow through drainages but may be seasonal at lower flows. The Blackfoot River and its forks define the eastern boundary and hold year-round water. Plan water strategy carefully—don't assume reliable sources beyond the major drainages and named lakes.

Unit 293 is moose country. The dense conifer forest with scattered meadows and park openings creates ideal habitat—moose use the timber for cover and move to meadows to feed, especially in early morning and evening. Focus on Park areas (Martin Park, Doney Meadows, Thompson Flats) during transition times, and work creeks and draws during midday when moose seek water and shade.

Early season hunting leverages the park openings; later in the season, moose concentrate near reliable water sources and feed heavily in the remaining green meadows. The rolling terrain means you'll spot moose at relatively close range in the timber rather than from distance—be prepared for quick glassing and close stalks. Water sources like Herrin Lakes and the major creeks should anchor your daily movements.