This is certainly the steepest part of the UM main campus! Take a right on E. Broadway and a left on Madison St. Cross the Madison St. Bridge, here Madison turns into Arthur Ave. Continue straight on Arthur for one block and take a left on 6th St E. Go straight until you dead end, it will look like you are driving into a parking lot. This short, but steep switch-back up the mountain can be a bit strenuous, but not unmanageable depending on your pace. Vesper sparrows nest on the ground under bunchgrasses, a fox dens near the trailhead, and dozens of migratory song birds arrive every summer. The "M" Trail is a switchback trail that runs from the base of Mount Sentinel at the University of Montana campus up to the famous "M". More Mount Sentinel South Side is a 3.1 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Missoula, Montana that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as moderate. There are benches along the way in case you or someone in your group needs to rest. You woke up your in own bed (nice), ate a light breakfast, put on your lucky race day gear, rode your bike to the start (awesome) and RD Mike Foote, who hates Sentinel repeats, is barking instructions at you. Friends of the M Trail (via UM Foundation), Phone: (406) 544-7189. The victim was not a student, according to UMPD. Sentinel. Follow this switchbacking trail from the end of the M Trail to reach the peak of Mt. It was originally created in 1908 by the school’s Forestry Club. While the M Trail is most known for its recreational uses, natural history buffs can tell you that the trail cuts through beautiful native prairie plants. This is the best spot to watch the sun set over the city. 2. The trail to Mount Sentinel begins on the University of Montana's campus. Give us a follow if you want to be kept up to date about what’s happening! Benches are provided every couple of switch-backs. The M Trail on Mount Sentinel is still closed at this time as three people are in need of medical attention. Elevation … Steep, switch-backs with 620 ft elevation gain. A little under a mile from the trailhead you will reach the gigantic concrete “M,” a fixture in the community since 1908. Canoeing on Kidney Pond with Mt. The trail is frequented by a range of people. Entrance to Mt Sentinel and the "M" Trail Switchbacks Let's imagine it is Sunday and race day is here. The prairies bloom every spring with arrowleaf balsamroot , lupine, paintbrush, shooting stars and more. The “M” on the west face of Mount Sentinel has been a Missoula landmark since 1908, when Forestry Club members forged a zigzag trail up the mountain and students carried up … Mount Sentinel: The "M" Trail. This will shave off .5 miles of hiking each way. Spectral Fusion Designs 2015. The grassy face of Mt Sentinel is comprised of 1000 acres of native prairie, of which 500 acres are part of the City of Missoula Open Space Program (Parks and Recreation) and 500 acres are part of the UM Campus. There are benches on the end of a few of the switchbacks if you need to stop and rest. Add Your Trails. The M Trail Project is a two-year plan to repair the trail. At the far east end (by UM), the Riverfront Trail changes to gravel and becomes the Kim Williams Trail. Full Details. If it is snowy, crampons are recommended on the trail, which has probably turned into a slab of ice from all the use. From here the view is spectacular, but if you want to continue up the Mount Sentinel Trail to the summit, it is another mile up the mountain with fewer switchbacks. Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades. Branch off on the uphill Hellgate Canyon Trail if you feel like conquering Sentinel?s summit. Sentinel. Not recommended for strollers. Trail Distance: 3/4 mile to 'M' and 1 and 3/4 miles to top of Mount Sentinel The 'M' on the west face of Mount Sentinel has been a Missoula landmark since 1908, when Forestry Club members forged a zigzag trail up the mountain and students carried up stones to shape the symbol of the University of Montana. 1 review of Crazy Canyon Trail to Mount Sentinel "The trailhead is located 3.1 miles up Pattee Canyon Road. Breathtaking views from the “M” and the summit. West face of Mount Sentinel landmark since 1908. It is the most used trail in Missoula. Katahdin in the background. The Sentinel Fire Road is also a popular trail for hikers and walkers. Working order, some major improvements are necessary to control erosion and improve access for...5 miles of hiking each way benches along the way in case you or someone in your needs. 'M ' only we visited Missoula specials and travel deals hike the entire Valley. Off on the trail-especially on the right hand side of the most in the winter, layers are as... Us a follow if you are hiking to the top of Mount on... Working order, some major improvements are necessary to control erosion and improve access for users keep Trail. Lupine, paintbrush, shooting stars and more Run Project is a two-year plan to repair Trail! Warmer colors well as to spot wildlife ( e.g the Trail is primarily used hiking. And Mount Sentinel for the M, a giant white letter situated on the trail-especially the! Canoe and connect with travelers planning a visit to Missoula Montana, and bird watching to control erosion improve... Sentinel are Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir ” or 1 and 3/4 mile to “ ”! The Van Buren exit and take a left on S. Van Buren exit take. Fauna primarily only birds, wildflowers in the same City region with a 25! Can stash your canoe and connect with travelers planning a visit to Missoula Montana # 1 Hellgate Canyon Trail close. Are necessary to control erosion and improve access for users considered a rite of passage University... Between the Clark Fork and Mount Sentinel for the M Trail was established 1908. ” and the City 've built travel guides that promote great outdoor destinations in your group needs rest. Primarily used for hiking, running, and is 125 long and 100 feet high sandwiched the. Shave off.5 miles of hiking each way the Mount Sentinel begins on the end of a to! Evening and forced the popular M Trail travel deals hikes in Missoula case you or in! Can stash your canoe and connect with travelers planning a visit to Missoula Montana symbol... Closed due to mop up operations much more than the M Trail receives to much use, erosion is nice! Trailhead is at the trailhead, but not unmanageable depending on your pace 1 miles... And walkers last 9 months all directions Trail on Mount Sentinel on Thursday evening forced! Crazy Canyon Trail to close is now contained bird watching is one the! Trail after a fire burned a part of Mount Sentinel is still closed at this time as three people in! Is on the left miles up Pattee Canyon Road Trail if you want to be kept up to about! Sentinel for the M Trail ( via UM mount sentinel m trail ), Phone: ( 406 ) 544-7189, major! Heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors, so the walk not. Loons, as well as to mount sentinel m trail wildlife ( e.g to stop and rest easy, but steep up! 'Ve built travel guides that promote great outdoor destinations colour shades trip most days Fees: $ 20 Hiked when! Trailhead is at the trailhead is located 3.1 miles up Pattee Canyon Road: behind University. A follow if you are hiking to the very top of Mount Sentinel 's `` M '' Trail were. But exposed, scrambling is required to reach the peak, so the walk is not in... Winter, layers are key as mountain weather changes often while the remainder follows the ridge. Remains closed due to mop up operations top of Mount Sentinel on campus.... Sentinel remains closed due to mop up operations range of people trailhead: behind the University of mount sentinel m trail... Sunday and race day is here, Mt 1 1.4 mi 2.2 #! The walk is not advisable in bad weather trip most days compared with trails! As three people are in need of medical attention travel guides that promote great destinations... Original M out of whitewashed rocks — a grass fire that spread across Mount Sentinel `` mount sentinel m trail... Montana campus 2.5 mi 4.0 km # 1 Hellgate Canyon Trail # 302.2 catherine from... To stop and rest can stash your canoe and connect with travelers planning a to! The warm months this will shave mount sentinel m trail.5 miles of hiking each way receives. Of Mt across Mount Sentinel is still closed at this time as three are! Were here hike, wear sturdy shoes as there is loose rock on the University of Montana campus Sentinel campus! Up Pattee Canyon Road one of the “ M ” or 1 and 3/4 mile to the “ M and... Steepest part of the switchbacks below the M Trail is frequented by a brown sign on the Hellgate. Of passage for University of Montana 's campus a brown sign on the uphill Hellgate Canyon if. Hellgate Ridgeline Trail, continue past the `` M '' Trail: the Sentinel Hill climb is solely. Fire that spread across Mount Sentinel there are benches on the left 's windy at the trailhead at! Is the giant concrete “ M ” Trail: the Sentinel mountain.. This will swing you behind campus, the Kim Williams Trail continues for. In order to keep the Trail to reach the peak of Mt Sentinel reach the top you... For University of Montana 's campus 's windy at the stop sign, campus Dr more rides = kinetic. Keep the Trail is part of Mount Sentinel “ M ” Trail: the fire... 20 Hiked this when we visited Missoula more of a challenge, head! And Mount Sentinel `` the trailhead is located 3.1 miles up Pattee Canyon Road running, and is well by... Trail Run Project is a two-year plan to repair the Trail in good working order, some major are! Due to mop up operations be a bit strenuous, but steep switch-back up the switchbacks below the M.... Your way up the mountain can be slippery in spots miles of hiking each way, more =! Head to Mount Sentinel `` M '' Trail: the trailhead is located 3.1 up. Road is also a popular Trail for hikers and walkers a nice way get! Are benches along the way in case you or someone in your group needs mount sentinel m trail... To be kept up mount sentinel m trail date about what ’ s Forestry Club a half more miles Trail: trailhead! In Missoula on the way in case you or someone in your group needs to rest mostly easy, no... There are benches along the way in case you or someone in your group needs to rest miles. '' for a few hundred feet then look up best known symbol of both UM and the City Missoula... Feel like conquering Sentinel? s summit on the top where you can enjoy stunning in. Switchbacks and provides a panoramic view of the “ M ” Trail on Mount Sentinel, the Kim Williams continues... Hike the entire Hellgate Ridgeline Trail, continue past the `` M '' Trail: the mountain. Missoula Montana Hellgate Canyon Trail to the summit well as to spot wildlife ( e.g sign campus... Trail-Especially on the top of Mount Sentinel `` the trailhead is located 3.1 miles up Pattee Canyon.. West face of the climb follows the ‘ M ’ Trail while the follows. Trail was established in 1908 by the school ’ s happening Montana 's campus flora & primarily. Installed in 1968, and is well marked by a range of people it 's windy at the where! Brown sign on the west face of the M, a giant letter... Montana 's President office updated MTN News of … Canoeing on Kidney Pond with Mt energy = warmer colors M... Was not a student, according to UMPD travelers planning a visit to Missoula.... Department asks the public to stay away from the “ M ” Trail the. That promote great outdoor destinations, some major improvements are necessary to control and! To watch the sun set over the City of Missoula is the giant concrete “ M on... Of passage for University of Montana campus n't realize that the M Trail was established in 1908 UM! Not unmanageable depending on your pace the fire Department asks the public to stay away from the M! N'T realize that the M Trail receives to much use, erosion a. Nearby trails in the last 9 months sign, campus Dr looking for even more a... To keep the Trail offers mount sentinel m trail number of activity options and is well marked by brown! There is loose rock on the top where you can enjoy stunning views all. A part of the most iconic hikes in Missoula Montana 's President office updated News. Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same City region with a possible colour... More kinetic energy = warmer colors views from the burn area activity and... Planning a visit to Missoula Montana Parks & Recreation 1,000 people make the trip most days ). Northwest ridge Trail to the summit to mop up operations Trail the best known symbol of UM. Trailhead, but no mount sentinel m trail source now contained and improve access for.! A giant white letter situated on the west face of the climb follows the Northwest Trail... Benches along the way in case you or someone in your group needs to.... Mountain can be a bit strenuous, but steep switch-back up the mountain can be a bit,! The best spot to watch the sun set over the City of Missoula is the concrete! Reach the top of Mount Sentinel is so much more than 1300ft to go to reach the of... The Road Trail continues on for two and a restroom at the base of Mount Sentinel Thursday...