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 ‘Camping’ 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

5 Tips for Visiting National Parks With Children

Our national parks can feel intimidating when you're watching out for little ones. Here are some useful tips for managing:... more

The Dos and Don’ts of Taking Your Dog Camping: What You Need to Know

Here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind as you draw closer to your next adventure with Fido.... more

5 Ways to Make Your Camper Feel Like Home

With a bit of effort and money, here’s how to make your camper look homier. ... more

Setting Bad Habits Ablaze: 7 Campfire Cooking Mistakes to Avoid

Next time you want to cook up some camp stove burgers for the family, here are seven campfire cooking mistakes to avoid.... more

Dry, Hot Conditions Call For Special Consideration When Living With Wildlife

More than 70 percent of Montana is experiencing severe drought conditions. You can help avoid conflicts with wildlife by following these suggestions:... more

Wildlife Officials, Blackfoot Community Work Together on Fatal Bear Attack Details and Next Steps

Wildlife officials and the local Blackfoot Valley community are working together to wrap up details of the July 6 fatal grizzly bear attack of a camper in Ovando.... more

How To Pick The Right Spot To Go On Your Next Camping Adventure

Whether you’re the kind of camper who loves doing group activities or someone who prefers hiking off-trail, here are some tips for picking the right camping spot. ... more

Hiking VS Camping – Why Not Both?

Today we’ll talk about the differences and similarities of camping and hiking, as well as the reasons why you can do both in one run.... more

There Are A Million Ways You Can Camp: Check Out The Most Common Ones

Ways to spend time in the wild vary almost as widely as the gear required for the activity. Take your pick from any of the following forms. They’re presented from least to most glamourous. ... more

Useful Things You Might Want to Bring on Your Next Camping Trip

Tents, sleeping bags, clothes, and so on. Here are some useful things you can take with you on your next camping trip. ... more

Be Bear Aware When Recreating Outdoors

Bears are emerging from dens with the onset of spring, and people are reminded to “Be Bear Aware.”... more

All You Need to Know About Prepping

Here's all you need to know about prepping for a trip outdoors. ... more

Is it Better to Own or Rent a Camper?

Whether you want to permanently adopt the RV lifestyle or are simply interested in some enthralling getaways, there are some key factors to consider.... more

Expert Survival Tips for Hikers and Campers

If you are looking to leave everything behind and enjoy a few days of nature's raw beauty, here are a few expert survival tips for hikers and campers.... 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

FWP Announces Updates to COVID-19-Related Closures and Suspensions

People looking to get outside and enjoy spring will continue to have ample opportunities with Gov. Steve Bullock's phased approach to re-opening the state.... more

Local Snowmobile Store to Host Annual Avalanche Training Event

Gull Boats & RV will host a free annual avalanche traiing event at Big Sky Brewing on October 30 at 6pm featuring instructor Mike Duffy from the American Avalanche Association.... more

Ways to Stay Safe on Your Next Family Camping Trip

As exciting and eventful as a family camping trip can be, your safety has to take priority. Here are some tips for staying safe on your next outing:... 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

Stay Safe on the Water This Labor Day Weekend

By JOLENE TADEJ - Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wants to remind boaters to be safe on the water this weekend. ... more

10 Heavenly Montana Hikes West of the Continental Divide

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - Nothing inspires like a heart-pounding hike into Montana's high country. Put these ten picks for memorable hikes on your Montana bucket list!... 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

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

Becoming an Outdoors Woman Summer Workshop August 7-9

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' popular Becoming an Outdoors-Woman summer workshop is set for Aug. 7-9 at Lubrecht Forest, east of Missoula.... 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

Park Service to Open Iconic Sun Road On Glacier’s West Side

By DILLON TABISH - Summer is Here! The National Park Service announced Wednesday that the Going-to-the-Sun Road, is expected to fully open on the west side on Thurs., June 11.... more

Motorists Hauling Watercraft Must Stop at AIS Inspection Stations

FWP officials remind private and commercial boaters that state law requires all motorists hauling watercraft to stop at inspection stations.... more

Airstream: Where Classic Meets Contemporary

By CLAY SPRINGMEYER - Ready for a new take on a timeless tradition? Check out the Bretz RV Airstream Trailer Show this Saturday from 8 AM to 6 PM at Caras Park. ... more

Summer Season Begins in Glacier National Park

Memorial Day Weekend marks beginning of primary visitation season at national park.... 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

Milestone Season Comes to a Close

By DILLON TABISH - More than a century after it was established, Glacier National Park is more popular than ever.... more

Tourism Mishaps

By KELLYN BROWN-As a 20-something slinging trash for the park service in the early 2000s, I was privy to my fair share of tourist mishaps, from the comical to the tragic. ... more

FWP, Anglers Work Together to End Illegal fish Introductions

Montana fisheries officials and major statewide angling groups signed an agreement recently aimed at curbing the spread of illegal fish introductions into state waters.... more

Becoming an Outdoors Woman Summer Workshop August 1-3

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' popular Becoming an Outdoors-Woman summer workshop is set for August 1-3 at Boulder Hot Springs near Boulder.... more

Montana Wildernesses: Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1963 as a habitat for migratory birds and is home to a diversity of wildlife.... more

Missoula Day Hikes: Rattlesnake National Recreation Area

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - The 61,000-acre Rattlesnake National Recreation Area is positioned at the northern city limits of Missoula. It's heaven on earth for avid hikers!... more

10 Heavenly Montana Hikes West of the Continental Divide

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - Nothing inspires like a heart-pounding hike into Montana's high country. Put these ten picks for memorable hikes on your Montana bucket list!... more

Missoula Non-Profit Spotlight: The AWOL Institute

By TOM DIDDEL - The AWOL Institute is a Missoula non-profit organization in its first year that takes girls ages 10 to 18 on a week-long overnight outdoor adventure.... more

Montana Natural History Center

The Montana Natural History Center helps cultivate the understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of nature through education. With a variety of programs for all ages, the Center helps both children a... more

Living with Wildlife

Residing in Western Montana means learning to live with wildlife. In Missoula, that often includes sharing your yard with birds, raccoons, skunks, deer, black bears, and even mountain lions. The Montana Depa... more

Take a Hike

The seemingly endless hiking and backpacking opportunities in and around Missoula offer thousands of miles of trails in wilderness areas, Forest Service lands, and BLM lands. Information on hiking in the bac... more