Make it Missoula has partnered with different teachers in the University of Montana’s School of Journalism to publish the writings of UM students. First Lee Bainville’s Online News class where the students created a Citizen Journalism feature that was all about local views, stories, and issues. More recently we published the writings of students enrolled in Nadia White’s autumn semester 2014 Adventure Writing class. In this class, each student was assigned a Missoula area trail to explore and write about. Enjoy!
UM Student Journalism
Saint Mary’ Peak Trail
By CHAUNCEY LISTON-How did I get into this fix? It started with my pack... more
MacLay Flats Nature Trail
By MALLORY KERENSA WELLS - It was a quiet Thursday evening and after a ... more
Tower Street Trails: A Bold Dinner Date
By BRENDEN SPERR - I see trees. Trees and squirrels everywhere, squirre... more
Blue Mountain Folf Course: Too Much Fun to Hike Past
By DEVIN SLATER-It seems like if there is anything you want to do outdoors you can find it at Blue Mountain. But honestly, I wouldn’t know those trails. I never get past the folf course. ... more
The Clark Fork River Walk (VIDEO)
By CATHERINE ORFANOS: The Montana campus was quiet. The Oval, empty. Puddles formed across the sidewalk and my path through campus zigzagged between them. ... more
Rattlesnake Valley: Wood’s Gulch to Sheep Mountain
By REBECCA KEITH- I lean up against Jasmine; my red, secondhand mountain bike and stew in frustration. The 11-mile ride from Wood’s Gulch to the top of Sheep’s Mountain was kicking my butt. ... more
Kim Williams Trail: The Unexpected Wilderness in My Backyard
By MARTHA KREBILL- Walking the Kim Williams Trail that night had been a spur-of-the-moment decision, and I was captivated by the natural beauty of what I can describe literally as my backyard.... more
Rattlesnsake Recreation Area
By MEGAN FRANZ - I made it to the Main Rattlesnake Trailhead, locked up the bike, swung my beat up sack over my shoulder and started trekking along the old road that follows the creek. ... more
Greenough Park Trail: A Journey Into Art and Nature
By PARKER BRIXEY - I’m cruising into Greenough Park on my bike, entering the park at its southern end, closest to town. I’ve got my headphones in, and Wiz khalifa bumping loud. ... more
Randolph-Moon Homestead Trail: Pushing Back Against Doubt and Disease
By GARRETT SLADE - It wasn’t until I had topped the final crest in the North Hills that my anxiety about the day fled. From my vantage point over Missoula the stress of the past two weeks began to melt away.... more
Mount Jumbo – Daylight Turns to Dark, Marvel Fades to Fear
By By NICK MERTES- Our eyes locked. He reared back and then quickly struck the ground with his hooves, like he was revving his engine, looking to fight. He was ready to go, but was I?... more
North Hills – Making Peace With the Rural-Urban Medley
By BELLE GASH-GILDER - There are a number of different places to begin to explore the North Hills. I started at Mountain View Trail which literally literally starts in someone’s yard. ... more
Mount Jumbo – Rising Above a Rude Awakening
By HENRY CRIST- Sometimes, little adventures change your entire perspective, and you’re a different person because of them. My adventure wasn’t a heart racing one, but it was just what I needed.... more
Crazy Canyon – An Easy Climb in Nature’s Cathedral
CHARLES EARLY - I decided to hike Crazy Canyon with a friend in early Fall. Although this is a popular hike, we didn’t see another person, which only added to the beauty of the trail.... more
Ch-paa-qn Peak
By KIAN BERTIN - People from all over the world have summited this mountain. “Pride of Britain,” one of the rocks has written into it. Another one reads, “I hate this damn wind.”... more
Crazy Canyon
By LIONE CLARE - I was happy to be back in the woods about to climb a mountain, an activity much more accessible and frequent in my hometown of Sitka, Alaska.... more
Pengelly Ridge
By CARLY STINSON - I love hiking, but as I spun in circles running from class to class this semester, I just couldn’t find time for the Pengelly Ridge Trail hike.... more
Smokejumpers’ Trail
By COLIN BRUST - We trudged up the steep and rocky path, leaving the Kim Williams riverside trail below us. Even though there was a great view of the Missoula Valley behind us, I felt uneasy.... more
Life is One Big Adventure
By NADIA WHITE - This last fall, 21 first-semester freshmen joined me at UM's School of Journalism in a class about adventure writing. We defined adventure loosely, and they wrote stories that described who the... more
Missoula Businesses Tell Dogs to ‘Take a Hike’
By ALLISON BYE - Alpine Canine and Quicks Paws are two local businesses that have come up with a unique way for dogs to get their daily dose of exercise and fun.... more
Would You Like Some Flirting with that Coffee?
By MICHAEL MALLORY - “Hey, Hun! What can I make for you?” says the half-clothed young lady waiting at the window of a bright red coffee stand off South Russell Street.... more
Snowbowl Expansion Delayed as U.S. Forest Service Investigates
By KARL SCHNEIDER - Nearly a decade ago, Montana Snowbowl announced a plan to nearly double the size of the ski hill. The permit process and economics of the plan have been slow to materialize, but that may be ... more
Local Gym Owner Hopes Second Chance Will Make it Work
By AUSTIN GREEN - “We move as a group! Don’t quit! Don’t quit!” His commands were directed a dozen fit young men, the latest guinea pigs in Mike Scialabba’s ongoing fitness experiment.... more
The Zoo’s First (Legal) Still: Montgomery Distillery Opens at Last
By TREVOR REID - Despite many challenges, from missing parts to shipping crates lost at sea, Missoula’s first micro-distillery opened this fall on September 26.... more
Beer Salvation: How a Hobby Changed a Life
By JESSICA STUGELMAYER - For Martha Gergasko, beer was the key to her salvation. Missoula’s home brew club, the Zoo City Zymurgists, has a key role in its beer culture.... more
Missoula Restaurants Offer Thanksgiving Dinner, Without the Work
By MICHELLE BEAHM - If you want a traditional meal without the traditional hassle, a few Missoula restaurants will be open so you can enjoy a traditional food coma.... more
Missoula’s Iconic Top Hat Set to Undergo Major Renovation After Sale
By KELLEN BECK - Although emotions around the sale of the Top Hat in Missoula are high, its former owner has confidence in the new owner and hopes for a bright future.... more
Video: Finding the Source of a Frosty Facebook Fad
By TOM HOLM and MASAKI NAKAGAWA - (VIDEO) The godfather of Frosting explains the story behind the Facebook trend that started in Missoula this past winter and went global.... more
The Naked Truth: How Art Modeling Transformed My Self-Image
By ANNA PENNER-RAY - I knew I would be naked, sketched by strangers for an art class at the University of Montana. I didn't know I would see myself in a whole new way.... more
Missoula Home to World Champion Cribbage Player
By ALYSE BACKUS - The best cribbage player in the world is DeLynn Colvert. He's one more example of the many intriguing, unique people who call Missoula home.... more
City Council Member Has Long Road to U.S. House
By ERIK ANDERSON - City Councilman Dave Strohmaier wants to be Montana’s next congressman, without having to run against his hometown of Missoula.... more
Firm Ground: Black Coffee Makes Its Mark in Missoula
By DILLON KATO - Black Coffee Roasting Company, started in 2010 by Matt McQuilkin and Jim Chapman, has been carving a niche in Missoula's gourmet coffee world.... more
Homeword Aims to Change the Image of Affordable Housing
By ANDREW FISHER - Homeword, a Missoula non-profit, wants to change the image of affordable housing by creating sustainable, community-oriented buildings.... more
Local Vitamin Manufacturer Reaches Global Markets
By JON TWEETEN - In an inconspicuous building on Third Street, Nutritional Laboratories International makes supplements and vitamins that are sold all over the world.... more
Missoula Story of the Week: Missoula Under National Scrutiny
By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of the past week's most talked-about story in Missoula. This week, it's the national investigation of the handling of local sexual assault cases.... more
Missoula Story of the Week: Pertussis Outbreak in the Bitterroot
By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of the past week's most talked-about story in Missoula. This week, it's the pertussis outbreak in Ravalli County that's forced school closures.... more
Missoula Story of the Week: UM Football Harassment Complaint
By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of the past week's most talked-about story in Missoula. This week, it's the federal harassment complaint lodged against the UM football team.... more
Missoula Story of the Week: Medical Marijuana Arrests
By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of the past week's most talked-about story in Missoula. This week, it's the federal arrests of several Montana medical marijuana providers.... more
Missoula Story of the Week: University of Montana Athletics
By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of the past week's most talked-about story in Missoula. This week, it's the dismissal of UM football coach Robin Pflugrad and AD Jim O'Day.... more
Missoula Story of the Week: Info Needed on Burglaries
By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of the past week's most talked-about story in Missoula. This week, it's the recent burglaries in downtown Missoula that need info from the public.... more
Missoula Story of the Week: House Fire Victims Need Support
By TOM DIDDEL - A house fire engulfed a home in Target Range Thursday morning and took the life of an 11-year-old boy. A donation fund has been set up to help the family.... more
Missoula Story of the Week: Wolf Hunting in Montana
By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of this week's most talked-about story in Missoula. This week, it's wolf hunting in Montana and the controversy that surrounds it.... more
Missoula Story of the Week: Montana Judge Richard Cebull
By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of this week's most talked-about story in Missoula. This week, it's Montana judge Richard Cebull's inflammatory email about President Obama.... more
Multimedia Feature: Griz Basketball Team Beats the Bobcats
By PATRICK RECORD - It was a low-scoring grudge match, but the Montana Grizzlies battled to an important win over the Montana State Bobcats on Saturday night.... more
Multimedia Feature: Lady Griz Beat Rival Bobcats
By PATRICK RECORD - The Lady Griz took to the hardwood on Saturday afternoon in hopes of defeating their biggest rivals, the Montana State Bobcats.... more
Missoula Story of the Week: Bitterroot Ski Resort
By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of this week's most talked-about story in Missoula. This week, it's the proposed Bitterroot Ski Resort and the upcoming auction of Maclay Ranch.... more
Swinging at the Downtown Dance Collective in Missoula
By PATRICK RECORD and LEAH GREEN - The Missoula Downtown Dance Collective's recent swing dance workshop put the Garden City in a swingin' mood.... more
Valentine’s Day Lunch at the Missoula Senior Center
By PATRICK RECORD - A multimedia gallery of the Valentine's Day celebration at the Missoula Senior Center.... more
Box Cutting at the Top Hat
By RYAN LANDOLFI - Missoula's blues-rock two-piece, The BoxCutters, played the Top Hat to a loyal local crowd on Thursday night.... more
Missoula Story of the Week: UM Assault Investigations
By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of this week's most talked-about story in Missoula.... more
Living Laboratory: State Arboretum at the University of Montana
On April 4, 1991, the Montana legislature and the Board of Regents designated the arboretum at the University of Montana. Today, three stories of plants reach to the ceiling of the University Center.... more
Tyler Hobbs: Life After Griz Football
By PATRICK RECORD - Former starting defensive tackle and team captain Tyler Hobbs looks back on his years as a Montana Griz football player.... more
Missoula Marijuana Prosecutions Resume, Despite ‘Lowest Priority’ Initiative 2
By DANIEL VIEHLAND - Two months ago, the Missoula County Attorney's office decided to resume prosecuting misdemeanor marijuana offenses. Daniel Viehland examines the impact.... more
Multimedia Feature: Sewing Ministry a Labor of Love, Support, Fabric, and Yarn
By RACHEL A. SEIDENSTICKER - The Martha Sewing Ministry is more than just a charity - it's an outlet for members of Christ the King Church to celebrate, mourn, laugh, cry, and commune with one another. ... more
Missoula St. Pat’s Life Flight Program: We Will Find You
By RUSSELL GREENFIELD - St. Patrick Hospital’s Life Flight paramedics, nurses, and pilots often find themselves in remote corners of Montana. Russell Greenfield takes a look behind the scenes of this elite pr... more
It’s a Funny Thing: Missoula a Starting Point for League of Talented Comedians
By TOR HAUGAN - While Missoula's comedy scene may lack the scale of a larger city's, the Garden City circuit has served as a starting point for a growing group of successful comedians.... more
A Salute to Our Troops: The Remembrance Day Roll Call Ceremony
A group of UM Journalism students filed this multimedia piece about the Remembrance Day Nation Roll Call Ceremony at Montana State University on November 11, 2011.... more
A Salute to Our Troops: Photos of Veterans’ Day Events in Montana
A photo gallery of moments from Veterans' Day ceremonies across Western Montana.... more
Snowbowl Set to Expand, Make Public Freestyle Terrain Park
By BILLIE LOEWEN - Montana Snowbowl ski area is preparing to expand their terrain park to bring freestyle skiing in western Montana to new heights.... more
A Salute to Our Troops: The Fallen Soldier Memorial at the University of Montana
By PATRICK RECORD Last Friday, as the rain began to turn to snow, I stood and watched as a handful of Montana’s military men and women revealed the new Fallen Soldier Memorial at the University of Montana.... more
Are Montana’s Rural Post Offices Expendable?
By KELLYN BROWN. The Postal Service wants to close the doors of many of its rural post offices, if it does, few places will be impacted as much as Montana. On the list released in July of 3,753 post office bran... more
A Marriage of Music: Successful Jazz and Pop Artists Make Missoula Studio Work
By RACHEL A. SEIDENSTICKER - After recording seven jazz CDs and headlining clubs in Chicago, appearing on ABC’s “The Commish,” and performing, acting, and modeling across the world, Eden Atwood found hers... more
Bluegrass Music Growing Missoula Roots
By ALANYA CHERKIS - Last month, Missoula hosted its first ZooGrass festival at the Top Hat lounge downtown. Live bluegrass has recently taken hold of the music scene in Missoula, with its upbeat energy, foot-st... more
Nothing in Common?
By KELLYN BROWN. Like I was saying...Don’t compare the Tea Party to Occupy Wall Street protesters. Don’t do it. They are nothing alike. That’s what I’m told, although the effort of one to distance itse... more
Multimedia Feature: California Street Tag Wall Becomes Home to Missoula Graffiti Artists
By ANNELA ROVA and BILLIE LOEWEN - When Missoula business owner and artist Dan Tabish posted a sign on the gigantic wall surrounding his property, he created the only space in the city free and open to graffiti... more
Out in Missoula: An Open, Visible, and Generally Accepted LGBT Community
By TOR HAUGAN, UM Student Journalist. In the early ‘80s, people would drive from Helena to Missoula to hang out with the gay bartender at AmVets, Missoula’s now-defunct bar claimed by the LGBT community. Th... more
Urban Bees in Missoula: Neighbors Against Neighbors While Drafting New Rules
By DANIEL VIEHLAND. UM student and citizen journalist Daniel Viehland reports on the conflict between an urban beekeeper and his neighbors in Missoula. Will it prompt changes to local beekeeping laws?... more
Black Bear Hit on I-90 Leaves Orphaned Cubs
By PAUL QUENEAU. Driving my sons to school Monday morning along I-90, a driver in front of me suddenly pulled off on the shoulder between East Missoula and the Van Buren exit. Then I saw the reason: A good siz... more