College ‘M’ Trail
bridger rangeTrail Stats
Distance: 1.6 to 3.6 miles round trip (multiple route options)
Difficulty: Easy to Hard depending on route chosen
Elevation Gain: 750 to 850 ft
Trail Type: Loop or out and back
Estimated Time: 30 min to 2 hours
Dog Friendly: Yes, leash required in some areas
Parking / Access: Parking lot off Bridger Canyon Road, approximately 4 miles north of downtown
Best Season: Year-round; can be icy in winter
Trail Description:
If there is one trail that every Bozeman local has done, it is the College M. Sitting at the mouth of Bridger Canyon on the south flanks of Baldy Mountain, the giant whitewashed M has watched over this valley since Montana State University students first placed it in 1915. Whether you take the steep direct route for a quick calorie burn or wind up the gradual switchbacks with a friend and a dog, the payoff is the same: a bench at the top, a sweeping view of the Gallatin Valley stretching out below you, and that particular feeling of gratitude that comes from living somewhere this beautiful. For buyers new to Bozeman, this is often the first hike on the list. And for good reason. It is ten minutes from downtown, accessible nearly year-round, and one of those places that makes the lifestyle here feel immediately real.
Laurie’s Notes:
This is where Laurie writes his own personal take on the trail.