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 ‘Biking’ Category

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

FWP REMINDER: Be Bear Aware When Recreating Outdoors

As you make plans for the July 4th holiday, be sure to review these precautionary steps to “Be Bear Aware”:... more

Top 8 Things to Do Near Missoula

In this guide, we will share some of the best activities you should do near Missoula, so click to know about these interesting activities. ... more

Why Consider Caregiver Jobs in Missoula Montana

If you are currently in the health care field (or hope to be) and you want to offer your services in a caring community set within the Northern Rockies, come to Missoula.... more

A List Of 6 Fun Things To Do In Your Leisure Time

Here are six things you can do during your leisure time: ... more

Where To Ride A Bike In Missoula?

If you’re someone who enjoys active outdoor recreation, you might want to take your electric bike on a journey to Missoula. Here are some places to check out for your next bike ride:... more

Public Invited to Marshall Mountain Celebration September 12

Missoula Parks and Recreation invites residents to tour the new Marshall Mountain Park on Sunday, September 12, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.... more

A Beginner’s Guide for Buying a Bike

Choose a good bike that is well-suited to the type of riding you do regularly.... more

Tips for Becoming a Biking Family

These are tips you'll need as a beginner cyclist to help every member of the family get on board with biking.... more

Cycling Safety Tips From the Experts

Before you hop on your bike, get some expert tips on how to make your ride safer.... more

Buying Your First E-Bike? Here’s What You Need To Know

Here are some facts everyone interested in having an E-bike should know about.... 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

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

Be Safe, Be Seen: Bike Light Campaign Underway

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

Mountain Biking in Grizzly Country, Be Prepared

By GREG LEMON - Imagine you’re riding hard down a mountain trail. As the trail you’re on weaves around a thicket of alder and huckleberries there’s a sow grizzly and two small cubs.... 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

Public Comment Sought on Bike Skills Parks Through April 22

Missoula Parks and Recreation is seeking public comment on draft master plans for two new bike skills parks through Friday, April 22.... 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

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

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

DQ Ice Cream Tokens Donated to Missoula Police Department

Officers will be on the lookout for children on bikes who are wearing their helmet and will provide them with a token good for an ice cream cone or a Dilly Bar.... 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

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

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

Smokejumpers’ Trail

By COLIN BRUST - We trudged up the steep and rocky path, leaving the Kim Williams riverside trail below us. Even though there was a great view of the Missoula Valley behind us, I felt uneasy.... 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

Women Bike Missoula Inaugural Celebration Ride, April 25

ATTENTION Missoula area women of all ages, abilities and biking experience--Join Women Bike Missoula on their Inaugural Celebration Ride around town on Friday, April 25 at 5:15 PM.... more

Mount Jumbo South Zone Closure Extended to April 7

To protect wintering elk, most of Mount Jumbo’s south zone will remain closed through Sunday, April 6. However, the “L” trail will re-open to the public on Tuesday, April 1. ... more

Bike Walk Bus Week in Missoula Sept 8-14

F.Y.I. - The 22nd annual celebration of active, sustainable, healthy transportation, Bike Walk Bus Week, launches on Sunday and runs through Saturday, Sept. 8-14.... more

Enjoy the Silence of Missoula

By ANNIE GRAHAM - I live 20 minutes from downtown Missoula and I am blessed with silence. I can hear the crickets chirping in the fields and my son can talk to an owl while he weeds the garden.... more

Family Adventure: Exploring the Clearwater Canoe Trail

By ANNIE GRAHAM - If we can take our six children (all with varied personalities and needs) on a canoe trip, then so can you. Our latest adventure: The Clearwater Canoe Trail.... more

Taking a Break: Summer Camps in Missoula

By BRANDON KENDALL - Summer has finally come to Missoula. For parents interested in continuing your child's learning process this summer, here are some fun, well-balanced ideas.... more

Biking the Hiawatha Trail With Kids

By ANNIE GRAHAM & BRANDON KENDALL - This year for our Memorial Day weekend adventure, we decided to bike the Route of the Hiawatha, a 15 mile “Rails to Trails” bike path that begins in Montana and ends in I... more

Press Release: Highlights from New Belgium Brewing’s Missoula Clips of Faith

New Belgium Brewing’s Missoula Clips of Faith stop raised more than $4,600 for Bike/Walk Alliance for Missoula. Check out the photos and highlights from the event.... 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

Kate and John Bike for Food and Beer

By RYAN NEWHOUSE. John and Kate Suscovich launched a 24,000-mile journey by bike three and half months ago in New York. The goal was to raise awareness about living active lifestyles and making educated food ch... 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

Bike Me Out to the Ballpark

By RYAN NEWHOUSE:This week marks the opening of the Missoula Osprey baseball season, and I’m here to tell you how to get some crazy good deals on seats. All it takes is a riding your bike and joining the Miss... more

The Season for Single-Track Minds

By RYAN NEWHOUSE: Missoula--are you ready for some mountain biking? As our very wet spring starts to give way to sunny, summery skies it can only mean that those beautifully-carved single-track trails in the h... 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

Missoula Businesses Show Record Support for Sustainable Transportation

By RYAN NEWHOUSE: Each spring during Bike Walk Bus Week, organizers from Missoula In Motion host a friendly competition between Missoula businesses called the commuter challenge.... more

May is National Bike Month

By RYAN NEWHOUSE. Missoula kicked off May with an exciting Bike Walk Bus Week, but many are keeping their wheels turning in honor of National Bike Month. And with all the recent sunny weather we’ve been havin... more

A Week of Biking, Walking and Buses…Oh My

By RYAN NEWHOUSE. For the last 20 years Missoula has celebrated Bike Walk Bus Week as a harbinger of spring and an opportunity to celebrate local businesses that encourage sustainable transportation. This year,... more

A Railroad Ran Through It

By RYAN NEWHOUSE. Every time I see a train I am reminded of my bike. Does that happen for anyone else? For those in Missoula who regularly use the Kim Williams Nature Trail, Riverfront Trail or Bitterroot Branc... more