Mount Sentinel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Sentinel |
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Mount Sentinel with University of Montana Campus in the foreground.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 5,158 ft (1,572 m) |
| Prominence | 118 ft (36 m) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Sentinel
Location in Montana
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| Parent range | Sapphire Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Southeast Missoula |
Mount Sentinel is a small mountain located right next to the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana. It was once called "Mount Woody." This mountain stands 1,958 feet (597 meters) tall. On its western side, you can see a giant concrete letter "M" built into the hillside. This "M" is about 620 feet (189 meters) up the mountain.
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Mountain History
The University of Montana first got land on Mount Sentinel in 1902. The Northern Pacific Railroad Company gave them 40 acres at the base and on the slope. Later, the U.S. Congress gave more land. This meant the university owned land all the way to the top of the mountain. This makes the University of Montana the only university in the country to own a whole mountain! In 2000, the city of Missoula also bought 475 acres on the mountain's face.
Glacial Lake Missoula's Impact
About 15,000 to 13,000 years ago, during the Ice Age, a giant glacier moved through northern Idaho. It blocked the Clark Fork River, creating a massive body of water called Glacial Lake Missoula. This lake was bigger than Lake Erie and Lake Ontario put together!
As the lake grew, the pressure on the ice dam became too much. The dam broke, sending a huge flood of water rushing west. This water flowed at speeds of 30 to 50 miles per hour across Montana, Idaho, and Washington. The powerful flood left marks on the side of Mount Sentinel. You can still see these ancient shoreline marks today. They are also visible on Mount Jumbo, a mountain nearby.
The Famous "M"
Building the "M"
The very first path up Mount Sentinel to where the "M" is now was made by forestry students in 1908. In 1909, students from the junior class built the first "M." They used whitewashed rocks to create it.
In 1912, the freshman class built a small white "M" out of wood. This wooden "M" stood upright on the mountain. It cost $18 to build. However, strong winds destroyed the wooden "M" in 1914. It was replaced, but then wind wrecked it again. In 1915, a new "M" made of whitewashed rocks was built. It was placed 200 feet higher than the first "M."
A much stronger concrete "M" was built in 1968. It measures 125 feet by 100 feet. This concrete structure cost $4,328. It was built because it was too hard to keep fixing the old rock "M." This concrete "M" is still on Mount Sentinel today.
"M" Traditions
From 1915 to 1968, when the "M" was made of rocks, freshman boys had a yearly job. They hiked the trail to the "M" to give it a fresh coat of white paint. This tradition stopped when the concrete "M" was built.
Another tradition started in 1919. Freshman boys hiked to the "M" during homecoming week. They would light up its outline with railroad lanterns. This tradition continues even now. Each year, UM Advocates hike up to light the "M" for homecoming.
Also, during Native American Awareness Week, a special sunrise ceremony happens at the base of the "M." People sing traditional Salish Morning and Honor Songs.
Caring for Mount Sentinel
Protecting the Mountain
The University of Montana has a natural areas weed manager. This person organizes a yearly spray to control weeds on Mount Sentinel. There is also a yearly event where the community helps pull weeds from the mountain. The Forest Service also helps control weeds on the 441 acres of Mount Sentinel that they own.
In 2006, a company called REI gave a $10,000 grant to Friends of Missoula Parks. This money was used to make improvements to Mount Sentinel. REI gives grants to groups that help preserve community parks.
After a fire in 2008, experts worked together. The conservation lands manager for Missoula and a University of Montana specialist spread native grass and flower seeds. They covered the area of Mount Sentinel that had burned.
In the fall of 2010, a student group from the Society for Ecological Restoration helped restore the "M" trail. They worked with Run Wild Missoula and other volunteers. The group added gravel to the path and replanted bare areas. They also blocked unwanted side trails and added more steps to one of the switchbacks.
Fires on the Mountain
Mount Sentinel has a long history of fires. Records show a grass fire there as early as 1930.
More recently, in July 2008, over 300 acres on the west side of Mount Sentinel burned. This area was directly above the University of Montana campus.
In July 2006, at least 20 acres also burned.
On August 20, 2020, a 25-acre grass fire started on the west side. It was caused by two children playing with a lighter.
Trails to Explore
Mount Sentinel has many trails for hikers and walkers:
- The Kim Williams Nature Trail runs along the Clark Fork River at the bottom of Mount Sentinel.
- The Hellgate Canyon Trail goes from the base of Mount Sentinel all the way to the mountain's peak.
- The Mo Z Trail starts from Pattee Canyon Road and the UM Golf Course area. It goes up to the Sentinel Fire Road and Pengelly Ridge Trail.
- The Pengelly Ridge Trail continues from the Mo Z Trail up to the peak of Mount Sentinel.
- The Crooked Trail runs east along the back side of the mountain from the end of the Mo Z Trail.
- The "M" Trail is a switchback trail. It goes from the University of Montana campus up to the famous "M."
- The Sentinel Fire Road is also a popular trail. It is owned by the city of Missoula and is open to everyone. This road runs from the end of the Mo Z Trail up to the "M."
Plants and Animals
Even though parts of Mount Sentinel look bare, it has many plants. You can find bitterroot, balsam root, paintbrush, prairie smoke, and penstemons. There are also Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees. However, some invasive weeds like knapweed, cheatgrass, leafy spurge, and Dalmatian toadflax also grow there.
The animals on the mountain include whitetail deer, mule deer, and falcons. Sometimes, even black bears are seen!
