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. Time brought several transformations to the ‘M.’ In 1912, a wooden letter replaced the one made of stone.
When the wooden ‘M’ was blown off the mountain in 1915, it was replaced with a more permanent, larger stone ‘M.’ That structure remained until 1968, when it was replaced with the concrete ‘M’ we see today. A hike to the ‘M’ is a favorite Missoula outing for people of all ages. After just a few minutes on the trail, you begin to get a birds’-eye view of the University of Montana. As you gain elevation, the view expands to include all of Missoula, the valley, the Clark Fork River and distant mountains. While the trail is less than a mile long, the hike can be quite strenuous, depending on how quickly you cover this distance. You’ll climb a steep, zigzag path with 11 switchbacks and gain 620 feet in elevation. Many local athletes and fitness buffs run the ‘M’ trail as a regular part of their regimen.
Most people make the ‘M’ their final destination, but you can continue to climb for about another mile on one of two routes to the top of Mount Sentinel. The view from the top of the mountain is even more exquisite. To the north, across Hellgate Canyon, you’ll see Mount Jumbo and the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness. Look for the water lines etched into the slopes of Mount Jumbo by the waters of Glacial Lake Missoula. To the south, you can see the Bitterroot Mountains. From the top of Sentinel, you can retrace your steps to the base of the mountain or follow Crazy Canyon Trail into Pattee Canyon. Hikers and equestrians can also follow the Hellgate Canyon Trail linking Crazy Canyon Trail with the Kim Williams Trail.
