Waterworks Hill And L

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Waterworks Hill And L

On New Year's Day 2025, Zosia Zgolak and I hiked up Waterworks Hill and the "L" on the northern outskirts of Missoula, Montana. Given their close proximity to the city, both objectives are popular and probably hiked daily by locals. As a bonus, our hotel was close enough that we could simply start hiking from there without having to drive anywhere.

From our hotel, Zosia and I walked north along Monroe Street and Madison Street before crossing train tracks along Greenough Drive. After going under I-90, we left the pavement and began climbing up the southern terminus of Waterworks Hill. We had to duck through a chain link fence and then hop over a barbed wire fence before reaching the perimeter of a dome which sits directly on the gazetted high point of Waterworks Hill. The dome is a water holding tank which explains how Waterworks Hill was named. Since the dome is off-limits to the public, we carried on up the big grassy ridge beyond to what can be argued to be the true high point of Waterworks Hill. There are options for continuing further, but with the so-so weather on this day, we were content with just tagging the top of Waterworks Hill.

Zosia and I took a different way down by dropping into a coulee to the east. We picked up a nice trail there which led us all the way back to the trailhead access road just off Greenough Drive.

Look both ways before crossing the road and train tracks! Zosia stands at the corner of Madison Street and Spruce Street in Missoula with Waterworks Hill behind her.

Watch out for homeless camps here! Zosia squeezes through a hole in the fence near the very south end of Waterworks Hill.

I kinda look like a homeless person here! Sonny walks up the south end of Waterworks Hill. In the background are University Mountain (far left) and Mount Sentinel (centre).
Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

Very hard to find info about this structure; it's kinda mysterious!
The gazetted high point of officially-named Waterworks Hill is occupied by this dome which is a large water holding tank used by the city. Public access to the dome is understandably prohibited.

Kinda reminds me of Nose Hill in Calgary! Zosia heads for the true high point of Waterworks Hill.

Happy New Year! Zosia and Sonny stand on the true high point of Waterworks Hill (1175 metres).

Too bad Mount Jumbo is closed to the public in winter.

Zosia takes an alternate descent route through the coulee at right. The L on Mount Jumbo is visible in the distance at centre.

Finishing our hike up Waterworks Hill, Zosia and I next walked about seven blocks eastward to one of several trailheads at the foot of Mount Jumbo. Mount Jumbo is a critical winter habitat for elk, and consequently, most of the mountain is off-limits to the public between December and March each year. An exception to the annual closure is the big L partway up the southwest slopes. The L represents Loyola Sacred Heart Catholic High School which is located along Edith Street in the city. Much like the ascent of Waterworks Hill, we had little difficulty hiking up to the L on a well-defined trail. Having already climbed to the big "M" across the valley when we ascended Mount Sentinel last summer, I amusingly considered where I might be able to hike up the remaining 24 letters of the alphabet.

Forbidden from climbing higher beyond the L, Zosia and I simply retreated down to trailhead and walked back to our hotel without incident.

With all the "facilities" here, we better not see any dog poop on the trail! This trailhead for the L on Jumbo Mountain is located at the corner of Poplar Street and Polk Street.

This would be an awesome slope to ski...if only there was enough snow! The ascent to the L is shorter but steeper than the hike up Waterworks Hill.

We should make it a goal to climb every letter of the alphabet!

Zosia arrives at the L (1201 metres) which represents Loyola Sacred Heart Catholic High School in Missoula.

N.

Stupid elk! It is possible to climb to the top of the L, but the trail beyond is closed seasonally to protect important elk habitat.

I caught Zosia blinking! From the top of the L, Waterworks Hill (left of centre) can be seen across the valley.

Wonder if anyone has ever tried to slide down the L... The city of Missoula is sprawled out below the L.

Better get those bacon and eggs to go if there is ever a flash flood! Near Sonny's hotel is an unusual 4B's Restaurant which straddles Rattlesnake Creek.
Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

Deservedly popular hikes within the city of Missouri. Total Distance: 9.9 kilometres
Round-Trip Time: 3 hours 27 minutes
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 381 metres
GPX Data

	Zosia stands at the corner of Madison Street and Spruce Street in Missoula with Waterworks Hill behind her.
	Zosia squeezes through a hole in the fence near the very south end of Waterworks Hill.
	Sonny walks up the south end of Waterworks Hill. In the background are University Mountain (far left) and Mount Sentinel (centre). Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	The gazetted high point of officially-named Waterworks Hill is occupied by this dome which is a large water holding tank used by the city. Public access to the dome is understandably prohibited.
	Zosia heads for the true high point of Waterworks Hill.
	Zosia and Sonny stand on the true high point of Waterworks Hill (1175 metres).

	This trailhead for the L on Jumbo Mountain is located at the corner of Poplar Street and Polk Street.
	The ascent to the L is shorter but steeper than the hike up Waterworks Hill.

	It is possible to climb to the top of the L, but the trail beyond is closed seasonally to protect important elk habitat.
	From the top of the L, Waterworks Hill (left of centre) can be seen across the valley.
	The city of Missoula is sprawled out below the L.
	Near Sonny's hotel is an unusual 4B's Restaurant which straddles Rattlesnake Creek. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Total Distance: 9.9 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 3 hours 27 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain: 381 metres GPX Data