Coeur d'Alene Mountains

{{Short description|Northernmost portion of the Bitterroot mountain range in the northeast United States}}

{{Infobox mountain

| name = Coeur d'Alene Mountains

| map =

| photo = Coeurd'AleneMountainsMontana.JPG

| photo_caption =

| country = United States

| subdivision1_type = States

| subdivision1 = {{hlist|Idaho|Montana}}

| parent = Bitterroot Range

| area_mi2 = 2590

| range_coordinates =

| length_mi = 98

| length_orientation = E/W

| width_mi = 62

| width_orientation = N/S

| highest = Cherry Peak

| elevation_ft = 7352

| coordinates = {{coord|47|29|16.49|N|115|10|11.99|W|type:mountain|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

}}

The Coeur d'Alene Mountains are the northwesternmost portion of the Bitterroot Range, part of the Rocky Mountains, located in northern Idaho and westernmost Montana in the Western United States.

The mountain range spans an area of {{convert|2590|sqmi|km2|0}} and its two highest peaks are the {{convert|7352|ft|m|0|adj=on}} Cherry Peak and the {{convert|6837|ft|m|0|adj=on}} Patricks Knob.{{cite peakbagger |rid=14310 |name=Coeur d'Alene Mountains |accessdate=4 March 2007}}

The range is named after the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.

Several decent-sized roadless areas exist in the Montana portion of the Coeur d'Alenes. Around {{convert|43,000|acre}} of roadless country centered on {{convert|5,980|ft|m|adj=on|0}} Mount Bushnell, south of Thompson Falls, provides good habitat for deer, elk, and mountain lion.{{cite book|last=Cunningham|first=Bill|title=Montana Wildlands|year=1990|publisher=American Geographic Publishing|location=Helena, MT|isbn=0-938314-93-9|page=51}} This area is/was densely forested with lodgepole pine generated from the Great Fire of 1910. {{convert|30|mi|km|spell=In}} of trails provide good hiking opportunities in this roadless area. Talus slopes, grassy parks in the highest reaches, and boggy creek bottoms characterize the landscape here in addition to the forests. Lush riparian areas are home to the Coeur d'Alene salamander and tailed frog.{{cite book|last=Cunningham|first=Bill|title=Wild Montana|year=1995|publisher=Falcon Press Publishing Co.|location=Helena, MT|isbn=1-56044-393-6|page=109}}

Just east of the Mount Bushnell area are approximately {{convert|40,000|acre}} of roadless land centered on Cherry Peak, highest in the Coeur d'Alenes. Vertical relief exceeds {{convert|4,500|ft|m|0}} in less than {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} from the Clark Fork River to this area's highest peaks. Several tiny alpine lakes are hidden in cirque basins on Eddy Mountain. Subalpine fir and devil's club are commonly found.

Another {{convert|18,000|acre}} are roadless around Patrick's Knob. This area contains thick forests of Douglas-fir and larch in the west and scattered trees in the east; a large and commonly seen herd of bighorn sheep winters here. An old bootlegger's cabin is located on Fourteen Mile Creek.