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 ‘Things to do in Western Montana’

5 Key Whitewater Rafting Tips for First Time Rafters

Here is a selection of the preferred beginner tips and guidance tailored for first-time rafters.... more

5 Thrilling Adventures You Need to Experience in Montana

Here are five exciting activities to consider if you’re looking to experience the thrill of adventure in Montana.... more

Boaters Gearing Up For July 4th Weekend May Need Inspection

As boaters flock to rivers and lakes for the July 4th weekend, keep in mind the rules aimed at preventing aquatic invasive species from spreading.... 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

Top 5 Vacation Destinations This Winter

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

Five Ways to Make Your Trip to Montana Stress-Free

Stress is a mood killer, but through budgeting, planning and research, you can limit any anxiety-induced panic.... more

Top 6 Essential Accessories For Your Road Trip

What to do before departure and while travelling to enjoy the stress-free journey.... more

Keeping Vigilant on Protecting Montana’s Waterways

With summer half over, more than 50,000 watercraft have been inspected at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks aquatic invasive species inspection stations around the state.... more

Many Glacier Campground Adds Restrictions After Grizzly Bear Sighting

A northwest Montana campground has temporarily banned tents and soft-sided campers after a grizzly bear made its way into the area.... more

Summer at the Bigfork Playhouse

By DILLON TABISH - Bigfork’s local theater is one of the only smaller companies in the country to receive the rights to perform “Mamma Mia!... more

Hunting Elk in August

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Elk shoulder seasons this year will allow hunters in some hunting districts to go after antlerless elk starting Aug. 15.... more

Huckleberries Bounce Back

By MOLLY PRIDDY - This summer’s berry crop expected to be earlier and better than last year, but researchers still stumped about optimal growing conditions.... more

Crispy Buttermilk-Soaked Pork Chops

By SARA MOULTON - Summertime and the living is easy. Dinners can be casual, thrown together at the last minute. But when the kids start heading back to school, it’s time to switch gears.... more

11 Northwest Montana Adventures to Add to Your 2016 Checklist

By DILLON TABISH - What better way to make 2016 memorable and constructive than exploring the vast outdoors. Here are a few worthwhile Northwest Montana adventures to try this year.... more

Independent Film Festival Returns to Polson

By CLARE MENZEL - Sixty films on schedule for fourth annual Flathead Lake International Cinemafest at Showboat Cinemas.... more

Great Style Never Gets Old

By DILLON TABISH-Maggie Voisin, one of the nation’s best slopestyle skiers, is back on snow and stronger than ever.... more

Ducks Unlimited Dumps Access Advocate

By ROB BREEDING- It will be unfortunate if DU's conservation mission suffers due to this misguided decision.... more

Fishing Moose

By ROB BREEDING- I’m not sure I really appreciated how dangerous moose can be until I saw a video of a man who was killed by one on the University of Alaska campus.... more

Dry Rot in the Bitterroot

By ROB BREEDING- The 10th percentile in June means most rivers will be nearly bone dry in August.... more

Reports of Swimmer’s Itch Prompts Fish, Wildlife and Parks Advisory

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Reports of swimmer’s itch in reservoirs on the Rocky Mountain Front have prompted Fish, Wildlife and Parks to issue an advisory. What is swimmer's itch anyway?... more

Busiest June on Record in Glacier Park

By DILLON TABISH - Over 414,000 people visited the national park last month, keeping 2015 on record-breaking pace.... more

Dry Rot in the Bitterroot

By ROB BREEDING- The 10th percentile in June means most rivers will be nearly bone dry in August.... more

Manners Matter – How to Share Western Montana Rivers

By JOLEEN TADEJ - It's still easy to have a great summer experience on Montana's rivers. The key is river etiquette, a mix of common sense, courtesy, and respect.... more

Keeping Safe On The Water This Summer

By JOLEEN TADEJ - Summer days on the water with family and friends are ahead. Here’s a primer on how to keep those days safe and fun for the entire crew.... more

Bike Going-to-the-Sun Road

By DILLON TABISH - After a mild winter, plow crews are making quick work of Going-to-the-Sun Road and are already just shy of Logan Pass.... more

‘Inspiration’ Tops CNN’s List of Worlds Best Ski Runs

A CNN featuring the “World’s Best Ski Runs,” ranked “Inspiration” at Whitefish Mountain Resort No. 20 on its list of 100 best ski runs. It's the only Montana run in the top 100.... more

The Missoula Nordic Ski Club: Your Ticket to Cross Country Skiing

By MARK VOSBURGH - It's officially winter here in Missoula and snow is on the ground. Lets go cross country skiing! The Missoula Nordic Ski Club has got you covered.... more

Opening of Big Game Season Slightly Below Average on Rocky Mountain Front

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Hunters hit the Rocky Mountain Front for the opening weekend of Montana’s general big game season and took home slightly fewer elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer compared to the past three... more

Avoid These 10 Common Hunting Mistakes

By BRUCE AUCHLEY - Here are 10 problem areas, courtesy of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks game wardens, that hunters seem to stumble over year after year:... more