by Julie Thomas-Zucker

Created on: December 16, 2011   Last Updated: December 20, 2011

The Farviews and Pattee Canyon in southeast Missoula, Montana is an area covering over 116.5 acres of park and open space land. On that land, ten neighborhood parks exist. Most residents do not often use them. This area is also a new housing development as of 1999 with custom houses and townhouses as well as condos. Besides the parks, it has restaurants, hotels, and housing developments.  The entire area covers over 1,209.6 acres.

According to its official website, "Missoula established The Farviews/Patte Canyon Neighborhood to provide a structure for increased citizen participation in the city and to build cooperation and improved communication between the city and the citizens."

Of the ten parks, Whitaker and Highland are the most used. The major reasons people use the parks are for walking and to view wildlife. This area has spectacular mountain views that make just stepping outside and walking a few blocks relaxing and invigorating. Recently, the committee worked to add more sidewalks so that getting around became easier.

The neighborhood has a famous and historic restaurant, The Keep, that caters to the customer's every need. The area is family-friendly with mainly businessmen and older adults living there. It is a place for wealthy people.

It is the home of the Pattee Canyon Recreation Area where hiker, bikers and picnickers will find a welcome haven. During the winter, cross country skiing is a common activity. While in the summer, golf Frisbee takes precedence. The Recreation has four main trails: Sam Braxton, Crazy Canyon, Northside and Southside Ski Trails.

The Sam Braxton Trail has trail markers though it is not a trail for beginners. Many logging trails crisscross the trail making navigation difficult. Dogs can accompany hikers and walkers.

Crazy Canyon Trail is a paved trail that alternates with "M" Trail beginning in the city. It is a way to the top of Mt. Sentinel. This trail has an elevation gain of nearly 1500 ft. The last quarter of the trail steepens so only horses and people can continue. Hellgate Canyon Trail connects with this trail. Hang gliders use this trail. The view includes the Bitterroot Valley, Hellgate Canyon, Lolo Peak and Rattlesnake Mountain as well as the city of Missoula in the westwardly direction.

Northside is a relatively easy trail with up to three miles of flat terrain. It connects with Crazy Canyon Trail for a longer trail but the area is a historic site from the 1920s. It was a firing range for Army soldiers stationed at Fort Missoula. Northside has a free picnic area with twenty two sites for families. For parties with more than ten people, the park takes reservations for a $25 fee.

Don't bring dogs with you to Southside Ski area. Considered the best ski trails in Missoula, the Missoula Nordic Ski Club maintains these in top condition throughout the ski season. Like Northside, they have little elevation change and provide good hiking and biking trails as well as easy horseback riding trails. Skiers can go for 2.4 miles or vary the distance by using an undeveloped trail. Choose a different distance by using one of the three cut-off trails provided. They all take the skier back to the main trail.

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