Mount Sentinel

Mount Sentinel

Mount Sentinel with University of Montana Campus in the foreground.
Highest point
Elevation 5,158 ft (1,572 m) [1]
Prominence 118 ft (36 m) [1]
Coordinates 46°51′09″N 113°57′48″W / 46.85250°N 113.96333°W / 46.85250; -113.96333Coordinates: 46°51′09″N 113°57′48″W / 46.85250°N 113.96333°W / 46.85250; -113.96333 [2]
Geography
Parent range Sapphire Mountains
Topo map USGS Southeast Missoula

Mount Sentinel, originally known as "Mount Woody,"[3] is a small mountain located to the east of the University of Montana in Missoula, Mont. At a height of 1,958 feet and an elevation of 5,158 feet (1,572 m), Mount Sentinel also features the hillside letter "M", a large concrete structure 620 feet (189 m) up its western face.[4]

History

The University of Montana first received land on Mount Sentinel in 1902 when the Northern Pacific Railroad Company donated 40 acres at the foot and up the slope of the mountain. The U.S. Congress later turned over many acres of Mount Sentinel so that campus extended up the slope to the crest of the mountain, making the University of Montana the only university in the nation to own a mountain.[5] In 2000, the city of Missoula also purchased 475 acres along the face of Mount Sentinel.[6]

Glacial Lake Missoula
Glacial Lake Missoula

Between 15,000 and 13,000 years ago, a Pleistocene Ice Age glacier moved through the Purcell Trench in northern Idaho, damming the Clark Fork River. This glacial dam created Glacial Lake Missoula, a lake larger than Lake Erie and Lake Ontario combined. As the lake continued to grow, pressure increased on the glacial dam, ultimately causing the dam to fail. Water from the lake rushed westward at speeds between 30 and 50 miles per hour across Montana, Idaho, and Washington. The violent flow created by the draining of Glacial Lake Missoula left shoreline marks that are still visible on the face of Mount Sentinel and Mount Jumbo, a neighboring mountain to the north.[7]

The "M"

History

The first trail up Mount Sentinel to the area that the "M" would later occupy was cut by forestry students in 1908. In 1909, the junior class constructed the first "M" at the top of that trail with whitewashed rocks.[3] In 1912, the freshman class constructed a small white "M" of wood. This "M" stood upright on the face of the mountain and cost $18 to build.[8] The wooden "M" was destroyed by wind in 1914, replaced, and then wrecked by wind again. In 1915, a new "M" made of whitewashed rocks was constructed 200 feet above the original "M" site.[9] A concrete "M" measuring 125-by-100-feet was built in 1968 at a cost of $4,328. The concrete structure was built because it was no longer feasible to maintain the old, rock "M". This concrete "M" is still located on Mt. Sentinel today.[8]

Tradition

Between 1915 and 1968, while the "M" was composed of whitewashed rocks, freshman boys hiked the trail to the "M" each year to apply a fresh coat of white-wash. The tradition ended with the construction of the cement "M".

Starting in 1919, freshman boys hiked the trail to the "M" during homecoming and lit the outline with railroad lanterns. This tradition continues today, with UM Advocates making the hike each year at homecoming to light the "M".[8]

Each year, during Native American Awareness Week, a sunrise ceremony is held at the base of the "M" where traditional Salish Morning and Honor Songs are sung.[10]

Vandalism

The freshman class of 1914 hiked up Mount Sentinel to whitewash the "M", but instead rearranged the rocks into a "'14". When they descended the mountain they were met by members of the sophomore class and forced to hike back up the mountain and place the rocks back into the shape of the "M".[11]

After the Grizzlies of the University of Montana beat the Montana State University Bobcats (known then as the Aggies) in 1920, a group of Aggies fans climbed up the "M" and painted it bright blue and gold. Early the next morning, a Grizzly fan noticed the letter's new coat of paint, roused some fellow fans and re-painted the "M" white before most Missoula residents even noticed.[9]

Preservation

The University of Montana natural areas weed manager organizes an annual herbicide application on Mount Sentinel. There is also an annual community weed pull on the mountain.[12] The Forest Service handles weed control for the 441 acres of Mount Sentinel that it owns.[13]

In 2006, outdoor retail co-op REI, which gave away $1 million in grants to nonprofit groups dedicated to preservation of community parks, awarded a $10,000 grant to Friends of Missoula Parks for use on improvements to Mount Sentinel.[14]

After a fire in 2008, the conservation lands manager for the city of Missoula and a University of Montana natural areas specialist teamed up to spread native grass and flower seeds over the area of Mount Sentinel that was burned.[15]

In the fall of 2010, the University of Montana Student Guild of the Society for Ecological Restoration teamed up with Run Wild Missoula and other volunteers to help restore the "M" trail. The group added gravel to the path, reseeded barren areas, blocked unwanted side trails, and added more steps to the eighth switchback.[16]

Activism

In 2005, students of Missoula's Hellgate High School staked a 50-by-20-foot red ribbon next to the "M". The ribbon was installed as part of an annual Hellgate event called Red Ribbon Week that focuses on staying drug-free.[17]

In 2010, local environmental activists added a white "350" made of tarps next to the "M" on Mount Sentinel. The display was organized as a part of the 350.org[18] organization's 10-10-10 Global Work Parties effort. Over 7,000 work parties worldwide did projects to decrease carbon and heighten the awareness within political circles in order to slow climate change.[19]

Fires

Mount Sentinel has a long history of fires, dating back to at least 1930 when the Montana Kaimin reported a grass blaze.[20]

More recently, over 300 acres on Mount Sentinel's west slope, directly above the University of Montana campus, burned in July 2008.[21]

At least 20 acres also burned in July 2006.[22]

Trails

Flora and fauna

arrowleaf balsamroot

While largely barren, the flora of Mount Sentinel includes bitterroot plant, balsam root, paintbrush, prairie smoke, penstemons, Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir as well as invasive weeds like knapweed, cheatgrass, leafy spurge and Dalmatian toadflax. Fauna of the mountain includes whitetail deer, mule deer, falcons, and even black bears.[24]

Bibliography

References

  1. 1 2 "Mount Sentinel". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  2. ↑ "Mount Sentinel". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  3. 1 2 Cohen
  4. ↑ "Cultural Attractions - Missoula Cultural Council". Missoulacultural.org. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
  5. ↑ Merriam, H.G. (1970). The University of Montana: A History. Missoula, MT: The University of Montana Press. ASIN B0006CYI6O.
  6. ↑ Colin McDonald (March 24, 2005). "City restores access to Mount Sentinel road". The Missoulian. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  7. ↑ "Glacial Lake Missoula - Story". montananaturalist.org. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
  8. 1 2 3 "Painting and Lighting the "M"". Missoula Visitors Guide, UM Centennial Issue. 1993.
  9. 1 2 "Montana's "M" on Sentinel Exemplifies Grizzly Spirit". The Montana Kaimin. May 13, 1926.
  10. ↑ Kim Swaney (September 23, 2004). Char-Koosta News. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ↑ "Montana's 'M'". The Montana Kaimin. September 29, 1931.
  12. ↑ Betsy Cohen (May 19, 2006). "Winning weed work on Mount Sentinel". The Missoulian. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  13. ↑ Daryl Gadbow (August 8, 2004). "Forest Service refines weed control plan for Pattee Canyon, Mount Sentinel areas". The Missoulian. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  14. ↑ Michael Moore (March 30, 2006). "REI funds to help trails on Sentinel". The Missoulian. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  15. ↑ Rob Chaney (January 12, 2009). "Sentinel seeding may alter fire repair strategies". The Missoulian. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  16. ↑ Hannah J. Ryan (October 7, 2010). "Clubs restore 'M' trail". The Montana Kaimin. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  17. ↑ Betsy Cohen (October 25, 2005). "Students unveil drug-free symbol on Sentinel". The Missoulian. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  18. ↑ http://350.org
  19. ↑ Hannah Ryan (October 13, 2010). "Activists add to the 'M'". The Montana Kaimin. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  20. ↑ "Grass blaze last Tuesday Evening". The Montana Kaimin. July 24, 1930.
  21. ↑ Tristan Scott (July 10, 2008). "Sentinel scorced: Grass fire erupts, searing more than 300 acres on mountain". The Missoulian. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  22. ↑ Tristan Scott (July 25, 2006). "Rapid response: Crews quickly gain control of Mount Sentinel blaze". The Missoulian. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  23. ↑ "Missoula trail guide - Missoulian". Missoulian.com. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  24. ↑ Johnston, Harriet (1923) [1916]. The Harriet Johnston manuscript. Missoula, MT.
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