Mount Sentinel M Trail
M Trail
A zigzag trail up Mount Sentinel behind the University of Montana. Climb to the giant white letter M for views over Missoula and the Clark Fork Valley.
The M Trail is Missoula's most iconic outdoor experience. The trailhead is on the east side of the University of Montana campus, beside Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Thirteen switchbacks cover about 1.2 km and climb roughly 190 m. In 30 to 45 minutes you reach the giant concrete letter M on the hillside, first laid out by students in 1908. From beside the M you can look down on the campus, downtown, the Clark Fork River and the surrounding mountains. You can also see the horizontal shorelines that Glacial Lake Missoula left on the slopes during the Ice Age. Fit hikers can continue along the ridge to the summit of Mount Sentinel, adding about 400 m and 3 to 4 hours round trip. The trail is free and open all day. The slope is steep with no shade, so in summer go early in the morning or in the evening, and bring water and non-slip shoes. In winter the path can ice over, and crampons are needed.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- University of Montana
- Missoula Art Museum
- Downtown Missoula
- Caras Park & Riverfront Trail
- Missoula Farmers Market & Clark Fork Market
- Brennan's Wave
- Mount Jumbo
- Historical Museum at Fort Missoula