Limited VolunteerMineral County is located on the western border of Montana. West of Missoula on Interstate 90, the towns of Alberton, Superior, St. Regis, DeBorgia, Haugan, and Saltese, are nestled in the Middle Clark Fork and St Regis river basins. The county contains 1,223 square miles and a population of ~4,000. 87% of the land area in Mineral County is public forest land, with the majority under the management of the Lolo National Forest. Superior, the county seat, has an elevation of 2,750 with a relatively mild climate . The Clark Fork River carries more water than any other river in Montana. The entire county is heavily forested with ponderosa pine (the state tree), lodge pole pine, fir, larch, white pine and cedar. The area is high in minerals and contains many unpatented mining claims. Mineral County became an independent county in 1914 and boasts a lively history before and since. It has hosted a gold rush, seen the building of two transcontinental railroads, experienced the trauma of the 1910 fire, and witnessed the destruction of several floods of the St. Regis and Clark Fork Rivers, as well as being the home to many Civilian Conservation Corps workers during the Great Depression. The historic John Mullan Road was built here in 1859-60 and the Yellowstone Trail in 1917.