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 ‘Lifestyles’ Category

Montana River Cruises: Why You Should Make it Part of Your Trip

Are you planning on making a trip to Montana? Here is why you should do it in the form of a scenic river cruises. ... more

14th Annual River City Roots Festival Begins Friday, August 23

River City Roots Festival is on Friday, August 23 featuring Honey Island Swamp Band as the headliner Friday night and Leftover Salmon will close out the festival Saturday, August 24.... more

Carousel Reopens With a Little Help From Our Friends

By THERESA COX - A Carousel for Missoula reopened on Thur., Aug. 8, following a fifteen-day closure due to a broken cylinder bearing.... more

Solution is in Sight for Carousel Closure

While it isn’t possible to run down to the carousel store to buy a cylinder bearing for a 101 year old carousel, the machinists of Missoula have proven that if they know what we need, they can make it.... more

How to Reduce Non-Biodegradable Waste and Recycle More Effectively

Besides recycling waste, you can considerably reduce it by adopting various healthier alternatives to non-biodegradable products. ... more

Please Volunteer to Help Save the Dragon

Approximately one-third of that number have signed up to date. Another 1,500 volunteers are needed to turn Dragon Hollow into an all-abilities playground.... more

The Markets Are Back in Town

Clark Fork Farmer's Market, Missoula Farmers Market, Missoula People's Market is starting in Missoula in May!... more

27th Annual Garden City Brewfest Features Over 70 Beers, Ciders & Wine

By BRAM MOORE - Over 70 beers from 43 different breweries will be available for tasting at the 27th Annual Garden City BrewFest on Saturday, May 4.... more

Montana’s Special Drawing Deadlines Reminder

Montana FWP's deadlines to apply for special license drawings is May 1 for bison, moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat; and June 1 for the elk B, deer B and antelope license drawings.... more

Mount JumboNorth Zone to Remain Closed until May 15

By BECKY GOODRICH - Parks and Recreation, in consultation with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, has extended the winter wildlife closure for Mount Jumbo’s North Zone.... more

High Water is Dangerous. Don’t Go!

Snowmelt creates high water in our streams and rivers. You might want to get out there in your boat, but high water can be deadly when conditions are too extreme for safe boating.... more

Hunting Permit Drawing Results Now Available

By JOLEEN TADEJ - The wait is over. Hunters can now check the results of the 2019 nonresident combination and elk and deer permit drawing to see if they were successful.... more

2019 International Fly Fishing Film Festival Features Trout-To-Taimen Around the World

World-wide fly-fishing adventures will be premiered at the 2019 International Fly Fishing Film Festival, April 27 at the Wilma Theater, Missoula, MT.... more

Dragon Hollow Expansion in Need of Volunteers and Tools

A Carousel for Missoula is looking for 2,300 volunteers to help refurbish and expand Dragon Hollow Playarea. ... more

27th Annual Run for the Trees Slated For April 20th

By BECKY GOODRICH - Celebrate National Arbor Month with a fun walk or run along the Riverfront trail system.... more

5 Common HOA Rules You Don’t Know About

Here are a few rules that are common among HOA's across the country.... more

How Yurt Housing differs from a Traditional Home

Yurt Living - an Alternative to Traditional Housing – and the Tiny House. Buying a home can be an expensive, lengthy process, and the rent for an apartment is looking increasingly more like mortgage... more

Missoula in Motion Launches January Clear the Air Challenge

For the month of January, Missoula In Motion will challenge citizens to reduce the amount of C02 they emit into the air by trying to limit their solo driving trips.... more

City Sponsors Christmas Ever-Green Tree Recycling Program

By BECKY GOODRICH - The City of Missoula is hosting its annual Christmas Ever-Green tree recycling program, December 26 to January 15. ... more

An Essay on a Bird Feeder

By BRUCE AUCHLY - All animals that spend at least part of their lives in Montana have three strategies for coping with winter: leave, go to sleep or tough it out.... more

Liz Marchi: Life Interrupted

By LIZ MARCHI - As I age, I have found it very valuable to look at life’s circumstances as opportunities to learn more about this amazing journey we call life.... more

Tourism and Innovation. How Montana is Trying to Get Ahead

One of the most northerly of the U.S states, Montana is widely appreciated for its numerous outdoor opportunities, tourist attractions and local culture. ... more

Memorial Rose Garden Volunteer Project Slated for October 27

By BECKY GOODRICH - Parks and Recreation is hosting a volunteer workday on Saturday, October 27, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.... more

Top 5 Vacation Destinations This Winter

Traveling during the winter is something that many individuals and families make the decision to do. ... more

Archery Hunter Breaks Arm in Grizzly Bear Attack Near Gardiner

By JOLEEN TADEJ - An archery hunter was attacked by a grizzly bear Saturday near Gardiner, sustaining wounds to his arm and face.... more

Fort Missoula Regional Park Hosts Old-Fashioned Fall Family Fest on Oct 20

By BECKY GOODRICH - Fort Missoula Regional Park invites kids and their families to the 18th Annual Fall Family Fest and Kaboom! Play Day on Saturday, October 20 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.... more

Tips for Tennis Parents

Being a tennis parent requires finding the right balance between being a parent and a coach, a cheerleader and a neutral entity in the audience.... more

Liz Marchi: Picking Raspberries

By LIZ MARCHI - The greatest reward for me in my modicum of new found patience is picking raspberries... more

Auditions for Elf The Musical at Missoula Community Theatre

By MICHELLE NYE - The Missoula Community Theatre will hold an open audition for Elf the Musical on Sunday, September 30 from 12:30-4:30 PM. ... more

Stay Safe on the Water This Labor Day Weekend

By JOLENE TADEJ - Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wants to remind boaters to be safe on the water this weekend. ... more

Shop Until You Drop In Missoula

By CINDY CUMMINGS - Missoula has plenty to offer any shopper. Don’t be surprised if you have one too many bags to carry after you are done.... more

7th Annual Doggie Dash Slated for September 8 at Fort Missoula

By BECKY GOODRICH - Missoula Parks & Recreation invites you and your four-legged friends to the 7th annual Doggie Dash Pet Expo and Fun Run on Saturday, Sept. 8, at Fort Missoula Regional Park West.... more

Missoula Community Theatre Announces Auditions for Sister Act

The Missoula Community Theatre is holding an open audition on Sunday, August 26 for Sister Act. The audition will take place from 12:30-6:00 PM.... more

Andorcles and the Lion with MCT

The Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) will present a fast-paced, funny version of Aesop’s classic story Adocles and the Lion, Sept 13-14.... more

Stage II Fire Restrictions to Begin Friday on City Open Space

By BECKY GOODRICH - Stage II fire restrictions will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday 8/10, on City of Missoula open space and conservation lands, including Mount Sentinel, the North Hills, Mount Jumbo.... more

Over 140 Players Break in New Fort Missoula Regional Park Pickleball Courts

By BECKY GOODRICH - Over 140 pickleball players, ranging in age from 17 to 84, will compete in Missoula this weekend at the fifth annual Montana Open pickleball tournament.... more

Liz Marchi: Summer on the Ranch

By LIZ MARCHI - Life is good. Summer in Montana…like nothing else. ... more

Thirty Artists Selected For River City Roots Festival Art Show

Thirty artists have been selected for the Juried Art Show on Main Street Friday and Saturday, August 24-25, during the 13th Annual River City Roots Festival in Downtown Missoula.... more

Audition for Sister Act

by MICHELLE NIGH - Get your “Sunday Morning Fever” burning and groove your spirit on over to the MCT Center for the Performing Arts! ... more

Kidsfest 2018 Slated for July 24 at Caras Park

Join us for Kidsfest 2018, a free summer celebration for Missoula families at Caras Park on Tuesday, July 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.... more

Best Day Trips From Missoula for Nature Lovers!

Experience western Montana's  Big Sky country for a truly wild adventure, without forgetting the comfort of urban life. ... more

Fort Missoula Regional Park Phase 2 Grand Opening Slated for July 26

By BECKY GOODRICH - The public is invited to the Fort Missoula Regional Park Phase II Grand Opening celebration on Thursday, July 26, 2018 from 6 to 10 p.m. ... more

Sheep Return to City Open Space, Pet Owners Required to Leash Dogs Near Herd

By BECKY GOODRICH - Visitors to City open space are reminded: leash your dog when hiking near grazing sheep this summer.... more

Out to Lunch & Downtown ToNight Launch June 6 & 7

For the 33rd consecutive year, the Missoula Downtown Association (MDA) has developed a vibrant and robust Out to Lunch Summer Series to commence on Wednesday, June 6.... more

MCT’s 7th Annual Adapted Performance

On Tuesday, May 8, MCT will present an adapted performance of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.... more

Make Montana Home

By LIZ MARCHI - I Made Montana Home and it’s made my life enormously rich in the things that are meaningful.  Find your meaning in Montana.... more

Mount Jumbo South Zone Opens Friday, March 30

By BECKY GOODRICH - Mount Jumbo’s South Zone will reopen to public use on Friday, March 30, bringing the area’s annual winter wildlife closure to a close.... more

Death Over Dinner

By LIZ MARCHI - Death over dinner is a nonprofit with a goal of getting us to have the most important conversation we are not having, how we want to die.... more

Grizzly Bears Reported Out on Rocky Mountain Front

Just in time for the beginning of spring, grizzly bears have been reported out on the Rocky Mountain Front.... more

Handel’s Julius Caesar February 9-11th

Handel’s Julius Caesar runs February 9-11at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts. ... more