University Mountain And Ginny Mountain

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University Mountain And Ginny Mountain

With a rather uninspiring weather forecast on 29 December 2024, Zosia Zgolak and I opted to do a simple hike up University Mountain on the outskirts of Missoula, Montana. University Mountain is sort of the parent mountain to the east of Mount Sentinel which we hiked four months earlier, but this time, we would use a different approach from the south. We would also do a loop to include Ginny Mountain, another officially-named summit in the vicinity which can be tagged with minimal extra effort. Numerous trails crisscross the entire area, and a good map is strongly recommended for more efficient navigation.

From the intersection with Higgins Avenue in Missoula, drive east on Pattee Canyon Road for 6.4 kilometres to a seasonal gate at the entrance to Pattee Canyon Picnic Area. Park here (limited space) or alternatively at Crazy Canyon trailhead (open year-round) about 850 metres before the turnoff to the picnic area. Vault toilets are available at both Crazy Canyon trailhead and Pattee Canyon Picnic Area (short walk past the gate).

In retrospect, Zosia and I probably should have started our loop hike from Crazy Canyon trailhead because it has more space for parking, but instead, we set off from the seasonal gate at Pattee Canyon Picnic Area. After walking through the picnic area, we followed a series of trails northward toward the lower south slopes of University Mountain. At one point, we even hiked off-trail, but the bush in the area is generally light. My phone's GPS map kept us pointed in the right direction, and we ultimately climbed up the south ridge mostly on a well-defined double track. The actual summit is cluttered with antennas and buildings, and with the snowy weather, we saw no reason to linger there after taking a requisite photograph. Oddly enough, the gazetted summit of University Mountain is actually on a lower bump about half a kilometre to the west, and we hiked over it as we descended the west ridge.

	Zosia begins hiking from a seasonal gate at the entrance to Pattee Canyon Picnic Area.
	The south ridge of University Mountain can be seen in the distance as Zosia walks through a seasonal disc golf course near the picnic area.
	Sonny stands under an impressive tree on his way up the lower south slopes of University Mountain. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Higher up the south slopes of University Mountain, Zosia catches a glimpse of Ginny Mountain.
	Most of the ascent on the upper mountain is little more than a long plod up a snowy double track.
	Antennas and buildings clutter the top of University Mountain.
	Zosia and Sonny stand on the true summit of University Mountain (1768 metres).

Near the saddle between University Mountain and Mount Sentinel, Zosia and I turned southward to follow another series of trails which eventually landed us at a couple of major junctions north of Ginny Mountain. We made short work of the spur trail going up Ginny Mountain and tagged the unremarkable summit without fanfare. After backtracking to one of the junctions, we turned eastward and hiked back to our starting point at Pattee Canyon Picnic Area without any trouble. Again, my phone's GPS map was invaluable for keeping us on track given the maze of trails here going every which way.

	Leaving the summit of University Mountain, Zosia descends the west ridge.
	On this day, far-reaching views are limited on the normally scenic west ridge.
	Zosia approaches Ginny Mountain which is barely visible through the trees ahead.
	Sonny and Zosia stand on the viewless summit of Ginny Mountain (1430 metres).
	This peculiar pine tree on the north side of Ginny Mountain has branches bent at right angles.
	Zosia follows a pleasant trail leading back to the picnic area.
	Total Distance: 11.9 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 5 hours 16 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain: 614 metres GPX Data