The 'M' Trail

Monday

We awoke to find the sky blanketed with light cloud. That augurs for a cool day, we thought. It did not take long for the sun to break through making the weather near perfect. From the top of ‘Baldy Mountain’, we watched the dark clouds in the distance encroaching over the mountains. It is a fascinating process as well as very attractive. To the east and moving north, we watched the build-up. We tried to photograph the lightning strikes in the far distance but they did not oblige. On the other side, the mountains were basking in strong sunshine. By 2:30 pm, when we reached the car, the storm began. Perhaps it was a few minutes early but for the fifth day in a row, it has not let us down. Made us wet, that’s for sure. We have noticed many ‘hail-damage’ companies in this city. It makes sense as the icy stones accompany each storm.

The muscles groaned a little after yesterday’s twelve miles. We took cognizance of the protest and decided upon a shorter hike. However, it was very attractive as we climbed the steep slope and continued to the top of the Bridger Ridge, Mt. Baldy, effectively lengthening the ‘shorter’ hike. This is on the other side of our Friday climb, the ‘sheep hike’, if you will. The first part is to the “M”. Students at the Montana University in 1915 built an “M” of stones on the face of the mountain. The first part is fairly steep (1.75 miles) but it does not deter the vigorous people of Montana. Thereafter, it really becomes steep and tricky with loose gravel and stones. It is another mile or so to the top with an elevation gain of over 3,000 feet. Distance does not matter much; rather, it’s the slope that does. When one stands on the top, ones sees mountain range upon range, three or four deep in places. Sometimes a person must pinch oneself to realize where one is standing. One should count one’s blessings at that same moment.

We mentioned the symphony and the ballet of this city yesterday. (Bozeman) We did not mention that over Shabbos and Sunday, they had the ‘Sweet Pea Festival’ and the ‘Stampede Rodeo’, not to forget the bikers passing through on their way to the Dakotas. We were obviously excluded but we’ll get over it. By the way, the ‘Sweet Pea Festival’ is not about flowers but rather, the performing arts.

Who knows what the morrow brings? However, we are enjoying this town and Montana; so we have extended our stay for another day. We hope to extend it thereafter.


In the composite, pictures 2 & 4 of row 1 are directly above the “M”-pictures 1 & 5 of row 1.
The picture above shows the rainbow over the “M” plus the bonus of ‘shooting’ the bird.