Rattlesnake Creek Watershed Group

Rattlesnake Creek Watershed Group RCWG, an open-member organization, preserves & protects the Rattlesnake watershed near Missoula.

Bitterroots!I spotted my first bitterroots on the Waterworks trail last weekend. Such amazing flowers, and also the stat...
06/10/2026

Bitterroots!
I spotted my first bitterroots on the Waterworks trail last weekend. Such amazing flowers, and also the state flower of Montana.

Rattlesnake Creek Today!The runoff is roaring along, as you can see from these pix from the Tom Green Trail.
06/04/2026

Rattlesnake Creek Today!
The runoff is roaring along, as you can see from these pix from the Tom Green Trail.

Flowers today on the Duncan Trail, west of the Rattlesnake
05/07/2026

Flowers today on the Duncan Trail, west of the Rattlesnake

Missoula PhloxMy first sighting of this beautiful flower this year, at the top of Waterworks Hill this morning!
04/19/2026

Missoula Phlox
My first sighting of this beautiful flower this year, at the top of Waterworks Hill this morning!

The Mighty Rattlesnake on April 8
04/08/2026

The Mighty Rattlesnake on April 8

Beavers are Amazing!This was the beaver on the Rattlesnake, close to the end of the Duncan Trail. It is now partly destr...
03/30/2026

Beavers are Amazing!
This was the beaver on the Rattlesnake, close to the end of the Duncan Trail. It is now partly destroyed by the fierce runoff last week.

Want To Learn About Bluebirds?On Sunday, March 22, we present our final Rattlesnake Story of the season: Bluebirds and B...
03/14/2026

Want To Learn About Bluebirds?
On Sunday, March 22, we present our final Rattlesnake Story of the season: Bluebirds and Bluebird Houses in the Rattlesnake!
Join us at 2pm in Cooper Room A (4th floor) of the Missoula Public Library.

Missoula Phlox!
03/03/2026

Missoula Phlox!

Curious about What's Going on With Bears In The Rattlesnake?Come to Missoula Public Library on Monday, February 23 at 5:...
02/17/2026

Curious about What's Going on With Bears In The Rattlesnake?
Come to Missoula Public Library on Monday, February 23 at 5:30pm to find out!

02/12/2026

What To Do When You See Trespassers on Mount Jumbo

City of Missoula--Parks & Recreation logo
Mount Jumbo Closure Enforcement

Dear Mount Jumbo Neighbors,

We need your help. We are seeing significant numbers of people and their unleashed dogs trespassing onto Mt. Jumbo in the winter closure areas despite closure signs, closed and locked gates, extensive public outreach, and television and newspaper news coverage to remind trail users of the annual closure. We are committed to helping protect the elk herd and its natural habitat area, so the Missoula Police Department will be enforcing trespass laws in the closure areas. Please see the information below and share it with your neighbors as we work to stop these trespass instances.

Seasonal Closure Enforcement on Mount Jumbo
Missoula Police Department and Missoula Parks & Recreation are reminding the public that most of Mount Jumbo remains closed to recreational use during the winter months. The majority of the 1,600-acre mountain is closed from Dec. 1 to March 15, with the northern 650 acres are closed from Dec. 1 to May 1 to protect the resident elk herd and other wildlife.

Although we have not had much snow this year, the winter closure areas remain closed for the following reasons:

We need to prevent the elk from becoming habituated to people. Not having a fear of people could cause them to filter into nearby neighborhoods.
The fear of people and unleashed dogs in their habitat area could cause them to abandon the area as their winter range. The place they relocate to may not be able to sustain them during a harsh winter. This could result in the loss of the entire herd.
Trespassing in closed wildlife areas is a violation of Missoula Municipal Code 12.40 and may result in a citation and fines of up to $500. Missoula Police officers will be monitoring the area and issuing trespass citations when necessary to support wildlife protection efforts.

Two trails on Mount Jumbo remain open year-round, including the U.S. West Road above I-90 and the lower L Trail up to the L, both are accessible from the Cherry Street Trailhead. Dogs must remain leashed where trails are open.

If you observe someone actively trespassing into closed areas of the mountain, call 911.

If you have information about individuals who have been trespassing this year, please call the temporary Mount Jumbo Tip Line: (406) 552-9465.

When calling, please provide a description of the individual involved and, if available, vehicle information including license plate number.

Missoula Police Department, Missoula Parks & Recreation, and our partnering land management agencies who manage the Mt. Jumbo Wildlife Management Area appreciate the community’s cooperation to protect Mount Jumbo’s wildlife and preserve a unique Missoula amenity.

For maps and additional information about seasonal closures, visit:
www.ci.missoula.mt.us/206/Conservation-Lands-Closures.

Address

Missoula, MT
59807

Telephone

+14065312527

Website

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