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

Posts Tagged ‘Missoula in Motion’

Be Safe, Be Seen: Bike Light Campaign Underway

Missoula is renewing its efforts to keep people safe when riding bikes at night.... more

BIKEapalooza Kicks Off Sunday Streets Missoula

Celebrate Sunday Streets Missoula on Sunday, July 19, between noon and 4 p.m. on a car-free Higgins Avenue from the red XXXXs on north HIggins Ave.... more

Sunday Streets Missoula, Higgins Edition, June 1, 2014

Get Moving and Get connected while celebrating sustainable transportation and healthy living at the Higgins Edition of Sunday Streets Missoula on June 1, 2014 ... more

A Salute to Missoula’s Bike-Friendly Events of 2011

By BEN WEISS - There is no doubt that Missoulians like riding bikes. In fact, we consistently rate among the top 10 cities in the country for percentage of people using bicycles for transportation.... more

The Dandies Ride Again! The Second Annual Missoula Tweed Ride

By BEN WEISS. Are you looking for an excuse to don some wool, ride around on your old-timey bike, and support some fine organizations? Well, you my friends, are in luck. The 2nd Annual Missoula Tweed Ride is ha... more

It’s Cyclocross Season in Missoula

By BEN WEISS. I hate to say it, but Fall is officially here in western Montana. So, aside from the harvest parties and the cider pressing, it also means it is time for Cyclocross season in Missoula. ... more

Sunday Streets Missoula 2011

Ever taken a moment to pause on Higgins Avenue and admire the architecture? Not enough hours in the day to window-shop the way you want? Have you succeeded in your goal of making this the best summer ever? Well... more

A Symphony of Cyclists – Annual Cycle for the Symphony

By BEN WEISS. If you have been out and about around town lately, you have no doubt noticed a new symbol in the road. It is a bicycle with two chevrons above it, and it is called a “sharrow”. Derived from t... 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

“Sharrow” the Road – Missoula’s New Biking Road Symbols

By BEN WEISS. If you have been out and about around town lately, you have no doubt noticed a new symbol in the road. It is a bicycle with two chevrons above it, and it is called a “sharrow”. Derived from t... 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