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 ‘Beartooth Pass; Backcountry Skiing; summer Skiing; Rock Creek Headwall; Gardiner Headwall; Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area; Beartooth Highway; CookeCity Montana; Red Lodge Montana; Ski Touring’

Summer Guide to Skiing the Beartooth Pass – Where the Locals Ski, Eat & Sleep

By TRAVIS GOODKIND - Skiing the Beartooth Pass is a rite of passage for any serious Montana skier. ... more