Archive for the ‘Hiking and Backpacking’ Category
Hiking Sawmill Gulch
By DAN SAXTON - Hiking Sawmill Gulch via the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area on the north side of Missoula is a wonderful opportunity to see majestic forest country within a half-hour’s drive from town.... more
For Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Rocky Mountain Map Gallery
By DAN SAXTON - Whether you're a hiker, climber, fisherman, hunter, or outdoor enthusiast in general, check out the incredible selection of maps at the Rocky Mountain Map Gallery.... more
Let’s Take a Road Rrip to Washington Wine Country
By DONNA HULL - Ever wonder what’s on the other side of the Bitterroot Mountains? Well, I can tell you—it’s the wine country of Walla Walla, Washington.... more
Deaths a Stark Reminder of Glacier Park’s Peril
By TRISTIN SCOTT - In a single month between June 26 and July 25, four people died of trauma in Glacier National Park.Their deaths offer a sobering reminder of the perils involved in off-trail exploration.... more
Spend the Day (or Night) at Painted Rocks Reservoir
By DONNA HULL - Do you like to go exploring? My husband and I were curious about Painted Rocks Reservoir and decided to find out why friends and neighbors RAVE about it. All I can say is WOW!... more
Mount Sentinel: The Landmark of Missoula, Montana
By DAN SAXTON - The best way for me to get a feel for a new place is to climb the most prominent local mountains, and for Missoula, Mount Sentinel perfectly fits that bill. ... more
My Unique Situation in Missoula, Montana
By DAN SAXTON - So far, Missoula has been an awesome place to get to know. However, as someone with a hearing disability, I do face some unique challenges as I settle down here.... more
My First Impressions of Missoula, Montana
By Dan Saxton - I'd made the decision to Move to Missoula, MT. What would be my first impression of the Garden City? Was its beauty real or or simply ordinary--it's people hospitable and friendly?... more
So Why Missoula, Montana?
By Dan Saxton - I’ve recently arrived in Missoula after moving up from Southern California. Many may wonder: why did I leave the land of eternal sunshine; why Missoula, Montana?... more
Circling the Wagons at Western Heritage Days in Stevensville
By DONNA HULL - Ever wondered what eating on the trail was like during pioneer times when wagon trains headed across the West? You’ll find out this weekend at Western Heritage Days in Stevensville.... more
Escape to Victor
By DONNA HULL - Getting away doesn’t have to mean an exotic vacation or a multi-week road trip. Sometimes, a traveling close to home will do just fine. Why not escape to Victor in the Bitterroot Valley?... more
Mount Jumbo South Zone Re-Opened March 15
F.Y.I. - To protect wintering elk and mule deer, much of Mount Jumbo is closed to recreational use during winter months. The Saddle Road and all points south of the road re-opened to the public on Friday, March... more
Breakfast in the Bitterroot: Pie and Paintings at Glen’s Cafe
By DONNA HULL - Missoula baby boomers, are you ready for another breakfast in the Bitterroot? Welcome to Glen’s Café in Florence, where paintings and pie accompany your breakfast. ... more
Spend a Romantic Winter Weekend at Broad Axe Lodge and Restaurant
By DONNA HULL - Are you looking for a winter getaway that’s romantic yet offers plenty of active things to do? Missoula boomers, do I have the place for you. Drive on down to Broad Axe Lodge and Restaurant in... more
“Experience Montana” Reinvents the Classroom
Sign-up to snoeshoe the Swan Valley and identify animals by their tracks in SELL's “Winter Animal Tracking” course. It's a two-day field course offered January 26-27.... more
13 Western Montana Travel Resolutions for 2013
By DONNA HULL - Do you make travel resolutions? As I sit here in front of a toasty fire at the beginning of 2013, I’m thinking of all the things I’d like to see and do this year in Western Montana. What do ... more
Take a Winter Day-Trip to Lolo Pass
By DONNA HULL - How long has it been since you took a day trip to Lolo Pass? Home to one of the campsites of Lewis and Clark, and the location of trails trekked by the Salish and the Nez Perce Indians, Lolo Pas... more
Start the holiday season with a Montana Celebration
By DONNA HULL - Do you enjoy holiday celebrations as much as I do? A little snow, some sparkly Christmas lights and maybe a cup of hot chocolate and I’m ready to celebrate!... more
Hiking Blodgett Canyon Trail
By DONNA HULL - How long has it been since you’ve been to Blodgett Canyon, the Bitterroot Valley’s version of Yosemite? Long-time Missoula boomers have probably hiked Blodgett Canyon Trail more times than t... more
Hanging Out with Scarecrows in Stevensville
By DONNA HULL - This boomer city girl had never seen a scarecrow festival. The Stevensville Scarecrow Festival, Oct. 5-13th is Not to be missed!... more
One last fall hike (or two) at Glacier National Park
By DONNA HULL - Do summer crowds discourage you from visiting Glacier National Park? Now is the time for one last fall hike in a national park that’s practically in Missoula’s backyard.... more
Montana Places to Explore: Kerr Dam
By RACHEL SEIDENSTICKER - Kerr Dam, located five miles southwest of Polson on the Lower Flathead River, is one of Montana's best off-the-beaten-path places to explore.... more
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough for Montana Adventurer Conrad Anker
By DILLON TABISH - For 30 years, Bozeman resident Conrad Anker has explored the world, including Mt. Everest, as one of its most renowned climbers and mountaineers.... 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
Exploring the Teller National Wildlife Refuge
By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - Teller National Wildlife Refuge, with its 1,200 acres of tranquil beauty in the Bitterroot Valley near Corvallis, is Montana’s only private refuge. ... more
Take a Walk: The Glacial Lake Missoula High-Water Mark
By KP NICHOLS - 15,000 years ago, Missoula was underwater. Today, you can hike to the highwater mark on Sentinel and Jumbo and use your imagination to fill in the details.... 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
Photo Gallery | Gratitude as Mount Jumbo’s South Zone Reopens
By PAUL QUENEAU - Today, Mount Jumbo's south zone reopens to people after its winter hibernation so that the elk and mule deer could range in peace. ... more
An Elegy for a Tree
By JEN SLAYDEN - Like many Missoulians, I take to the trails to alleviate my stress. Recently, I was sad to find that my favorite lone tree on Mount Jumbo was chopped down.... more
Mount Jumbo to Close Dec 1 for Elk Herd Winter Range
The snow has started to fly, and that means it's time for Mount Jumbo's elk herd to return to their winter range. The North and South Zones of Mt. Jumbo will close for the winter on December 1.... more
Folk Musician Chris Bathgate Plays at the UM FLAT
By CLAY SPRINGMEYER - Last Monday, my band The Trees had the privilege of opening for Michigander folk musician Chris Bathgate and his band. I must say, I'm still giddy from the show. ... more
Playing in a Missoula Band Called “The Trees”
By CLAY SPRINGMEYER. So I'm in a band now. We're called The Trees. I know what you're thinking: “The Trees? Really?” Yes. We're The Trees. ... more
Thomas the Tarantula
By CLAY SPRINGMEYER. I spent the summer volunteering for Missoula's Summer Arts and Leadership Camp, a free camp for 68 homeless and at risk of being homeless kids in Missoula. There I met Thomas the Tarantula.... more
Power Shift
By CLAY SPRINGMEYER. A Day in the Life of a UM student: traveling to Washington D.C. for a national youth conference on climate change. The conference was called Power Shift, and about 10,000 young people from ... more
Migratory Notions and Desert Solidarity
By CLAY SPRINGMEYER. A Day in the Life a UM student--backpacking in the desert of Utah. If there's one thing I've learned from my backpacking journeys, it's that things rarely go exactly according to plan. Tha... 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
Cycling City
If you spend any time in Missoula, you'll notice lots of bikes on road. Cycling is a way of life for many residents of the city. Missoula’s biking heritage can be traced back to 1976 when a group of 4 Ohio... more