The Story Behind the "M"

The "M" is 620 feet above the Missoula Valley floor. It is 125' feet long and 100' feet wide. University of Montana forestry students cut the switchbacks into the side of the hill in the early 1900's. The first "M" was assembled out of whitewashed rocks in 1909, and given a fresh coat of paint by freshmen every year, until 1968, when all those rocks were cemented together with concrete.

Photo by Nelson Kenter, kenterphotography.com

Archive for the ‘Community Events’ Category

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 8/8/2011... more

Wallet Bustin’ at the Western Montana Fair

By ERIN TURNER. Well, you’ve heard of Mutton bustin’ at county fairs but have you heard of Wallet Bustin’? Probably not, but all of you have probably participated in this wild event at any fair you have ... more

Aug 19 Missoula Festival Celebrates Biking & Walking with Movies & Beer

By BEN WEISS. Festival season is in full swing in Missoula – Brew Fest, Local Fest, Celtic Fest, Total Fest, Roots Fest, Hemp Fest, German Fest, and Testy Fest are just a few of them. A lot of people are aski... more

Mullein Heals the Earth

By PAUL WHEATON. Mullein is a biennial plant with fuzzy leaves. Often called "cowboy toilet paper," mullein will grow in the worst soils on earth -- improving the earth as it grows. More about this amazing pla... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 8/1/2011... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 7/25/11... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 7/18/11... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 7/10/11... more

Tackling the Pengelly Double Dip Race: Part One

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG. Those of us in the running world have our “dream races”— a mental list of the races we want to run. One of the races on my list has been the Pengelly Double Dip, a 13.5 mile trail ru... more

The Tiny House Movement

By PAUL WHEATON. People are saving money by downsizing their house. How far can you take it? Take a look at these Tiny house. One was built for $15!... more

Missoula Spaces: A Festival of One-Minute Films

MAKE IT MISSOULA MOMENT: Missoula Spaces: A Festival of One-Minute Films. Call for submissions! Sumbit your one-minute films about Missoula made by the people who live here. Deadline: July 10, 2011... more

The EdgeMaster: How to Sharpen a Serrated Knife Blade

By PAUL WHEATON. Watch the EdgeMaster sharpen a serrated knife blade in record time!... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 6/27/11.... more

How to REALLY Save on Your Summer Utility Bills

By PAUL WHEATON. Learn more than 20 great tips to save energy and save on summer utility bills too. Cooking, cooling, lighting tips and more -- all for REAL utility bill savings.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 6/20/11.... more

20+ Things to Do for Kids Visiting Missoula

By PAUL WHEATON. Paul has family coming to visit. He could go on and on about how great Missoula is, and this post lists some of his top attractions!... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 6/13/11.... more

Sunday Streets Missoula

By RYAN NEWHOUSE: Back for its second year, Sunday Streets Missoula will kindly take over N. Higgins Avenue this Sunday (June 5) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and open it to people-powered activities. Launched last S... more

In Memoriam. Memorial Day May 30, 2011

There is no payment or Thank You that can repay the ultimate sacrifice of sons and daughters who have given their lives in service to America. These men and women have died for civilians, communities and our pe... more

Mount Sentinel: the Lushest Farmland in All of Montana

By PAUL WHEATON. Could we convert Mt. Sentinel into a lush hillside? Paul has a plan.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 5/23/11.... more

Junior Golf Anyone?

By TODD WOLVERTON. Are you interested in helping provide local Missoula kids a better way to be involved in the great game of golf? Read on...... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 5/16/11.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 5/9/11.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 5/2/11.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 4/25/11.... more

Clean, Sustainable Wood Burning

By PAUL WHEATON. The Missoula Urban Demonstration Project celebrated earth day last Sunday. I got together with the Missoula Free Cycles folks and we found a way to do a bit more than most folks for earth day.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 4/18/11.... more

#1 Gyro is My Favorite!

By PAUL WHEATON. #1 Gyro is my new favorite! Their gyros and greek fries are excellent! And they easily have the best spanakopita. This post features a review of Missoula's #1 Gyro.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 4/11/11.... more

Sepp Holzer is Coming to Missoula!

By PAUL WHEATON. Sepp Holzer has done so many huge things, that his property is crawling with dozens of doctoral students doing their thesis work based on Sepp's work. And he's coming to Missoula!... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 3/21/11.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 3/14/11.... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 3/7/11.... more

What’s Happening This Week

Tips from the Trail. What's happening this week.... more

What’s Happening This Week

Tips from the Trail. What's happening this week.... more

What’s Happening This Week

Tips from the Trail. What's happening this week.... more

Weekend Tips from the Trail 11/19/10

What's going on this weekend? This video blog will help you make a plan. ... more

Weekend Tips from the Trail 11/12/10

What's going on this weekend? This video blog will help you make a plan. Then use the Plan-it button to the left to view all the upcoming events in the area. ... more

Weekend Tips from the Trail 11/5/10

What's going on this weekend? This video blog will help you make a plan. Then use the Plan-it button to the left to view all the upcoming events in the area. Don't forget to set your clocks back 1 hour this... more

Weekend Tips from the Trail 10/29/10

What's going on this weekend? This video blog will help you make a plan. Then use the Plan-it button to the left to view all the upcoming events in the area. ... more

Missoula Gets Some Streetscape Love

10/26 Blog by Ryan Newhouse. On October 15, 2010 a ribbon was cut to celebrate the completion of the North Higgins Streetscape project. From Broadway north to Circle Square, the city’s street is now more frie... more

Weekend Tips from the Trail for 10/15/10

What's going on this weekend? This video blog will help you make a plan. Then use the Plan-it button to the left to view all the upcoming events in the area. ... more

Missoula’s Markets

Saturday mornings aren’t just for cartoons or sleeping in. In Missoula, Saturday mornings are for shopping Missoula’s outdoor markets – at least when the weather is warm. When market season hits, three... more

Out to Lunch

Feeling hungry? With over 20 different food vendors and live music every week in Caras Park in Downtown Missoula, Out to Lunch has you covered. For over 20 years, Out to Lunch has been providing Missoulians ... more

Missoula Marathon

If you haven’t heard of the Missoula Marathon yet, it’s time to take notice. After its third year in 2009, the marathon was given a notable honor when it was voted the Best Overall Marathon by the r... more

Sports Fan Paradise

Sports fan? Missoula is a great place to be! For a city of its size, Missoula offers a wealth of spectator sports opportunities. From minor league sports to a bevy of UM athletic events, there are sporti... more