Redemption Cross - Chase Matthew - Missoula, Montana

Well done, Chase Matthew!  - for bringing your high energy band to Missoula, Montana's Washington-Grizzly Stadium AND, even more, for sharing some of your redemption story and the hope of Jesus as the reason you wear that Cross with sincerity.

(Bonus best-stadium-view showcases Mount Sentinel and the iconic M trail.)

M For Missoula - Mount Sentinel, Missoula, Montana

When you stand just below it, Mount Sentinel's "M" really is rather gigantic - I inched back down the trail until it mostly fit in my viewfinder. And you don't fully appreciate the annoyingly arduous trail until you turn through that 11th switchback to arrive at the M (which is not the same as "at the top" - you can go further up and further in, and even explore an old mine cave - hence the trees visible between M and sky!)

Shifting Sky View From Mount Sentinel - Missoula, Montana

Even though Mount Sentinel's M trail is less than a mile long, the 11 switchbacks and 620 feet in elevation gain make for a decent little hike. (Okay, I understated there - it's really a huffer-puffer! Unless you are one of the very fit 20-something athletes who lapped us - running! - both up and back before we were even all the way up.) 
But the Big Sky view is worth every demoralizing wheeze - or, rather, "views", plural, from the lovely little rest-&-view-the-vista benches mercifully situated at multiple switchback turns.
Overall, a good time was had by all - and we wisely balanced out the activities with a stop for handcrafted ice cream a la Sweet Peaks.

Top O' the M-ornin' - Missoula, Montana

Looking directly up from the last leg of Missoula's M trail on a clear day, here's your view; about ten more vertical feet and you've arrived at the popular destination 620 feet above the valley floor. If you are summit minded, you may continue on a side trail up and around the 100 foot wide and 125 foot long letter. If, like me, you are more in it for the company of your hiking buddy, you may wonder briefly what it would take to get a coffee and snow cone stand up there. Or you may just happily head down trail knowing increasing temps equate to high ice cream potential.