segment of the northern Rocky Mountains, central Montana, U.S. The Little Belts extend southward for 40 miles (64 km) from southeast of Great Falls to the Musselshell River. The range, which lies east of the Big Belt Mountains, is characterized by lush timber forests and grassy meadows. Big Baldy Mountain (9,191 feet 【2,801 metres】) is the highest point. Formed as part of the Laramide orogeny some 70 million years ago, the mountains lie within a division of the Lewis and Clark National Forest. Mineral deposits (including silver, gold, lead, and zinc) are worked, and the mountain range is well-known as a recreation area.