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 ‘Clark Fork River’

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

Missoula – A River Runs Through It

Missoula - a river does indeed run through it. In 1992, the Oscar-winning feature film A River Runs Through It brought notoriety to a town in the Pacific Northwest and the world was introduced to Missoula, Mon... more

Hal’s Walk Dedication Set for July 10

Staff members and friends of the Missoula Redevelopment Agency and the late Hal Fraser will dedicate a new riverfront walk honoring him. The Hal's walk Celebration is on Fri. July 10 at 10am. ... more

Trout in Hot Water

By TRISTAN SCOTT - Historic stream temperature highs, low flows threaten Northwest Montana's cold-water fish.... more

Summer Forecast has FWP Keeping Close Watch on Streams

By JOLEEN TADEJ - With high temperatures and depleted snowpack runoff, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is gearing up now to protect fish from stress of low flows and elevated water temperatures.... 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

Western Montana’s River Lovers Brace for Early Runoff

Rivers throughout western Montana could get lower than normal this summer, as an unusually low snowpack has melted away two or three weeks earlier than usual.... more

Celebrate Kids’ Day at the Carousel

A Carousel for Missoula will be celebrating its 20th birthday on Sat., May 23. Come enjoy FREE rides on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. ... more

Out to Lunch & Downtown ToNight Summer Series Kicks Off

The 2015 Summer Series kicks off June 3rd and 4th and is sure to be exciting as the MDA celebrate 30 years of Out to Lunch and 15 years of Downtown ToNight.... more

2 Rivers + 2 Hours = Missoula Fun

By JASON SHREDER - Many towns, such as Boise, Asheville, and Bend boast great river opportunities in or close to town--but here's why Missoula trumps them all when it comes to river fun.... more

9th Annual River City Roots Festival Aug 23-24 in Downtown Missoula

Grammy Award winner Sam Bush headlines the admission-free, 2014 River City Roots Festival Aug. 23-24 in downtown Missoula. Welcome Home UM students! ... more

February Blues

By ROB BREEDING - February is the lousiest month on the calendar. It might not be so if I were an ice fisherman or a hockey player. But I’m neither, so my options are limited.... more

What’s Up This Week in Downtown Missoula

Here's what's happening this week in Downtown Missoula: River Cleanup, River Market and Riverside Shred Fest!... more

Agencies Advise Limited Consumption of Some Fish Species Below Mill Site on Clark Fork River

F.Y.I. - Three state agencies today issued fish consumption advisories for northern pike and rainbow trout on a 105-mile stretch of the Clark Fork River in western Montana.... more

Montana’s Clark Fork River: A Return to Glory

By BRYCE MCLEAN - As most of you probably already know, they opened up the Clark Fork from Turah to Sharon last week. Just like the rest of Missoula I couldn't wait to fish it...and it didn't disappoint.... more

Back to Missoula and Back to Montana Fly Fishing

By MATT DEVLIN - I've been gone for the past 6 months working in Key West. But the pull of river currents and drifts undisturbed except by eager fish brought me home. God Bless Montana! .... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights – Week of April 15

By TOM DIDDEL- A recap of the week’s most talked-about stories in Missoula: Maclay Bridge, two Missoula arsons, Missoula Race to benefit Boston Marathon bombing victims, Montana senators split on gun vote ... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights – Week of April 8

By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of the week’s most talked-about stories in Missoula. Campus police save man in Clark Fork, Vann's to close store in Missoula and Hamilton, Montana Republicans and Democrats Clash in ... more

Early Runoff: Is the Skwala Hatch Finished? A Rundown of Area Rivers

By BRYCE MCLEAN - Here's a complete run down of the areas rivers so you can make an educated decision on where you want to fish this week.... more

Building More Sustainable Communities: Like Minded Efforts in Palmerston North and Missoula

By LINDA MCCARTHY - I recently took a field trip with Massey University's Christine Cheyne to learn about Palmy’s efforts to build a more sustainable community and to share what Missoula is doing to be more s... more

Missoula Story of the Week: Summer River Fatalities

By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of the past week's most talked-about story in Missoula. This week, it's the string of summer drowning fatalities on the Clark Fork River.... more

Missoula Story of the Week: Dangerous Spring Runoff Waters

By TOM DIDDEL - A recap of the past week's most talked-about story in Missoula. This week, warm weather and a fast runoff have created high, unpredictable river levels.... more

The Real Snowbirds of Missoula County

By JEN SLAYDEN - Just the other day as I was heading home, I took a detour the back way to Bonner, through East Missoula. When I showed up, I saw there was a party going on. ... more