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 ‘Running & Walking’ Category

Exploring the Unique Blend of Urban and Outdoor Living in Western Montana

Western Montana offers a remarkable combination of urban sophistication and outdoor adventure.... more

Montana Road Trip: Exploring the Beauty of Big Sky Country

Buckle up and get ready to experience the captivating allure of Montana on an unforgettable road trip adventure.... more

FWP Reminder: Be Bear Aware When Recreating Outdoors

Remove or secure food attractants and keep a clean campsite As spring weather approaches, we’re all anxious to head outdoors, and bears are leaving their winter dens. This time of year, bears are waking up f... more

September is Bear Aware Month

Being outdoors means being with wildlife. Here's some simple advice for staying safe while exploring the outdoors and in bear country.... more

How to Survive in the Wilderness – 2023

Every person who got lost in the woods had no plans of doing so. In this guide, we cover the basic things you need to do to survive in the wilderness. ... more

Outdoor Activities you Do With Your Pet in Missoula

Tucked away into a peaceful corner of the Rockies, the pet-friendly city of Missoula offers plenty of outdoor activities you can do with your pet. ... more

Great Activities for Students in Missoula

Planning to visit Missoula but don't know how to have fun? The city has many interesting locations. Here are great activities for students in Missoula.... more

5 Insanely Creative and Fun Things to do in Missoula

From local farmer's markets to natural hot springs, we've compiled a list of the top-rated places to check out in The Garden City.... more

Man Injured in Grizzly Bear Attack on Sun River

A man was attacked by a female grizzly bear on Sunday morning near the Sun River. The attack left the man with non-life-threatening injuries.... more

Common Hiking Aches & Pains

Make sure you understand what the different aches and pains are that you can get from hiking, and this will help you deal with them in the best possible way.... more

State Lands Remain Open For Day Use

Fish Wildlife and Parks adjusts facility management in response to COVID-19; and state lands remain open for day use. ... more

Top 10 Hikes Around Missoula

By JEFF JONES - An insider's perspective of the top 10 hikes in and around Missoula, Montana.... 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

Fall Into Fun With Parks and Recreation

Join Missoula Parks and Recreation for these exciting recreation and aquatics programs. Call 721-PARK to register or stop by Currents Aquatics Center in McCormick Park. ... more

30+ Things for Kids to Do in Missoula, Montana

By LINDA McCARTHY - I am amazed at how many free and low cost things there are to do with kids in Missoula, Montana. My daughter and I compiled a list of more than 30 Things to Do With Kids in Missoula:... more

Marathon Training Tips – Post Marathon Recovery

By DAN LYNE-Completing a 26 mile race is an extreme test of endurance that takes a lot out of your body. Your best strategy for full recovery starts in the first 30 minutes after the race. ... more

Marathon Training Tips – Weeks 11-16 for June/July Marathons

By DAN LYNE-In my last post, I discussed the need to improve your strength to ensure you build injury resistant muscles, tendons and ligaments. ... more

5th Annual Doggie Dash Expo and Fun Run May 15

Missoula Parks & Recreation and Missoula Animal Control invite you and your four-legged buddy to the 5th annual Doggie Dash pet expo and fun run on Sun., May 15, at Silver Park. ... more

Mount Jumbo North Zone Opens May 1

By BECKY GOODRICH - All areas on Mount Jumbo. north of Saddle Road will re-open to the public on Sunday, May 1.... more

Kids, Families Invited to FREE Unplug and Play! Kick-Off Celebration on May 1

Families are invited to the 5th annual Let’s Move! Missoula: Unplug and Play! kick-off celebration on Sunday, May 1, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at McCormick Park. ... more

More Training Tips – Weeks 5-10 for June/July Marathons

By DAN LYNE-With Missoula and many other Northwest marathons coming up in June and early July it’s not too late to register and even start training (provided you have a running base.)... more

24th Annual Run for the Trees Slated for April 16

Celebrate National Arbor Month with a fun walk or run along the Riverfront trail system. The 24th annual Run for The Trees is Saturday, April 16, at 10 a.m. at Silver Park.... more

5th Annual Doggie Dash Fun Run Slated for May 15

Missoula Parks & Rec and Missoula Animal Control invite you and your four-legged buddy to the 5th annual Doggie Dash Pet Expo and Fun Run on Sun. May 15, at Silver Park. ... more

Is Spring Early or Late?

By BRUCE AUCHLY - The warm weather of February and early March could lead one to believe in an early spring, which feels nice but is not necessarily a good thing.... more

Mount Jumbo South Zone Re-Opens March 22

Mount Jumbo’s South Zone, including the Saddle Road and all points south of the road, re-opens to the public on Tuesday, March 22.... more

How to Start Training for Your June/July Marathon

By DAN LYNE-Believe it or not, it’s time to start training for the Missoula Marathon (July 10) or any number of other Northwest marathons this summer.... more

Running in Missoula

By DAN LYNE-Last summer, I stopped in Missoula, a small city along the Clark Fork River in western Montana. I had heard that Missoulians are very passionate about their running. ... more

Winter Carnival at Marshall Mountain Feb 6

By BECKY GOODRICH-Join Parks and Recreation for the second annual Winter Carnival at Marshall Mountain on Saturday, February 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ... more

Mount Jumbo Wildlife Closure Begins December 1

By BECKY GOODRICH-Most of Mount Jumbo closes to recreational use during the winter months to protect wintering elk. Read more about the closures areas.... more

Parks and Recreation Hosts “Too Much Fun Tuesdays” in Area Parks

Parks and Recreation hosts “Too Much Fun Tuesdays” in area parks Join Missoula Parks and Recreation on Tuesdays this fall for unique recreation programs in neighborhood parks. ... more

Register Today for the River City Roots Run and SUP Cup

The 10th annual River City Roots Festival is next weekend. Register for the four-mile fun run and the stand-up paddle board contest. Both races will be held on Sat., Aug. 29th.... more

Walk With A Doc This Thursday at McCormick Park

Take a step toward better health this Thursday with Missoula Parks and Recreation and Community Medical Center with "Walk With A Doc".... more

Public Invited to Grant Creek Trail Grand Opening This Thursday

FREE icecream for the first 100 people at the grand opening of the Grant Creek Trail--Missoula's newest bicycle-pedestrian trail. The Celebration will be at 5:30 pm , Thursday July 9.... more

Walk With a Doc This Thursday

Walk with a Doc this Thursday--it's a free program to encourage healthy physical activity in people of all ages. Brought to you by Missoula Parks & Rec and Community Medical Center. Learn more.... more

Register Now for Missoula’s Only Dog-Friendly Fun Run and Pet Expo

Missoula Parks & Recreation and Missoula Animal Control invite you and your four-legged buddy to the 4th annual Doggie Dash pet expo and fun run on Sunday, May 17, at Silver Park.... more

The Missoula YMCA Hosts Healthy Kids Day, Saturday April 11

The Missoula YMCA encourages kids and their families to come to the Y for Healthy Kids Day--this Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to noon. ... more

Saint Mary’ Peak Trail

By CHAUNCEY LISTON-How did I get into this fix? It started with my packing. That afternoon I decided I was going to climb the 9,300-foot peak that is Saint Mary’s in the Bitterroot Mountain Range. ... more

MacLay Flats Nature Trail

By MALLORY KERENSA WELLS - It was a quiet Thursday evening and after a long week I knew that a hike was not only a wanted but a needed.... more

Tower Street Trails: A Bold Dinner Date

By BRENDEN SPERR - I see trees. Trees and squirrels everywhere, squirrels that are so bold they get right next to me then turn and run as if they’re playing chicken.... 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

My Most Spectacular Failure Was a Gift

By SHELLI JOHNSON - Former Lady Griz hoopster, Shelli Johsnon tells how getting cut from the team and losing her scholarship was a game changer that led her to an Epic Life! ... 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