Hannah and Dan Climb Big “M” Mountain in Montana under Threatening Skies

  

          Heading north from Pocatello, Idaho, Hannah and Dan look to explore the Big Sky campus town of Missoula in early June.  Of course to do that, we must drive 360 miles, but you’ll not find us whining since it’s all Interstate highway with a 75 mph speed limit.  As a one-time, make that two­­-time (Eastern Conn. State U and U of New England) college prof, I fantasize about spending a year teaching in a Western town.  I imagine the comradery with the faculty and the adventure in the athletic-friendly West.  Though retired, I just never say never.  Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff had that same effect on me last summer.  The U of Montana here in 60,000+ Missoula intrigues me.  Why just in the backyard of the U of Montana campus, there is Big “M” Mountain a mecca for hikers of all abilities. 

          With easy-to-negotiate switchbacks, Big “M” Mountain is a satisfying challenge for families and sprint hikers alike.  Camouflaged wire fences are nicely hidden in the grassy terrain and make trail cutting and trail eroding and trail ruining nearly impossible.  It’s a gentle 20-25 minute hike along a dirt trail with satisfying views of the campus, all of Missoula, and the mountains of the Bitterroot National Forest.  To our north storm clouds threaten.  A mere up and back at Big “M” mountain is just not enough for macho hikers like us.  We notice a trail to the right beyond the concrete painted M and take to it. 

          Alas faithful readers, learn from our hiking faux pas.  Since we had no idea that there was a trail beyond the Big “M”, we didn’t bring our usual fanny packs with water and trail mix.  We bad.  Even so, on this mid60s day we decide to venture on to Mount Sentinel, a prairie restoration area with wild grasses and flowers.  It’s a steady climb as you might imagine it would be since it is a mountain.   Our breathing is heavy and purposeful for the skies are going from gray to black across the valley.  We press on as I am starting to feel what any reporter must feel when he wants his story.   Storm to our north, but a story in my heart.  If we don’t get to the top, will I be able to satisfy my loyal and adoring readers (just kidding)?  Hannah and I confer, waver, and wonder if this is a fool’s gambit to continue.  But press on we do, double timing our pace.  We spot a windsock above us and think the top is nigh so we quicken our steps.  Rationalizing that we can sprint down the mountain if the rains come, as the trail is fairly straight with few rocks, we eye the storm clouds and move forward.  At last, we hit the jeep trail to the top, scan the horizon for storms and don’t even have a ceremonial swig of water; alas we have no water. 

Bidding a hasty retreat, we start jogging downhill despite our hiking boots.  Five to six years ago after thirty years of running five miles per day five days per week neurotically without fail (it was not pretty), Hannah and I gave up running because our knees were creaking every time we got out of bed.  Fortunately, as soon as we stopped running, the creaking noises in our knees stopped.  Duh.  But running was what was needed today.  Feeling the strain on the interior of my thighs, I kept pace with Hannah’s relentless descent.  Having taken 35 minutes of focused climbing to get to the top, we alighted (got to throw in a pretentious verb every now and then) off the mountain in a mere 23 minutes.  Still no rain and we were back to Big “M” mountain. 

Descending from there and wearing my Maine shirt, I can’t get any comments from fellow hikers.   Maybe I need neon lights.  People I am here to interact with you.  Just throw me a bone.   We are now in the townie part of the hike with causal hikers in sneakers and IPods.  We pass mom and dad who are shepherding their two kids, maybe 4 and 6 years in age, up the mountain.  We hear the boys say, you mean we can’t throw rocks!  High school girls pass us, one wearing a tee shirt that says make art not war.  Got to love college towns.  Maybe the 60s is ready to make a resurgence.

Now for full disclosure.  For the next three days, climbing steps and especially coming down them or even down a street curb is painful.   I look like Walter Brennan as I awkwardly land on one foot and then the other.  We were just not ready for such steady climbing and rapid descent.  I’m not sure there is preparation for such vertical hiking and thankfully in three days we are fine and hiking mountains again.

Big “M” and Mount Sentinel Hike – Satisfying with panoramic views of the Missoula valley.  As always when hiking, know thyself, thy limits, and the conditions.  Be prepared.