Crown of the Continent Travel Tour

On its sunrise side, the wave of the Montana prairie abruptly ends, crashing into the roaring walls and reefs of the Rocky Mountain Front, one of the jewels of the fabled Crown of the Continent. The scenery is nothing short of stunning and perhaps one of the finest looking landscapes on the planet. So pack your bag, grab your camera and join us as take the Crown of the Continent show on the road!

The University of Montana invites you to discover the Crown of the Continent and its unique history, culture, geography, and ecology. During a campus visit and 7-day travel tour, you will hear from the region's experts and engage in discussions with University of Montana faculty members.

The tour will travel throughout the region, providing you the opportunity to visit locations such as the Blackfoot Valley, Continental Divide, Rocky Mountain Front and the country of the Blackfeet Nation. Two days will be spent in the splendor of Glacier National Park. On the return trip to Missoula, there will be time to explore the eastern side of the largest freshwater natural lake west of the Mississippi--beautiful Flathead Lake. With water good enough to drink, the lake is also home to a legendary monster! The trip concludes with a farewell dinner giving everyone a chance to reminisce and celebrate with your fellow travelers.

Just a few of the topics covered on the travel tour . . .

• Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? -What's eating our forests and can they be saved? A stop at the Lubrecht Experimental Forest Station answers these questions and more.
• David vs. Goliath -How one of the smallest chapters of The Nature Conservancy (Montana) took on the challenge of raising $510 million (gulp) to purchase 320,000 acres of forestland thereby saving it from the real estate market and development. Native Americans have felt a deep connection to and respect for this wilderness known as the Bob Marshall and have used the area for vision quests and for other religious and cultural purposes. Hear the stories and traditions from Blackfeet tribal elders.
• We Can't Go On Living this Way -Montanans have long recognized the natural values of the land outside the protected portion of the Crown. With exceptional habitat and world-renowned hunting, fishing and recreational opportunties, sportsmen, hikers, land managers, ranchers and others have worked for decades to preserve the Crown's legacy. Learn from a third generation rancher and lodge owner about the compromises it takes to make a living within and yet keep the integrity of the Crown alive.
• Topics to Tickle YOUR Tastes -Throughout the travel tour, you will have a chance to suggest topics for further exploration. Perhaps you are interested in identifying and learning more about area wildflowers, birds or other wildlife. Or maybe you are interested in how to photograph the breath-taking scenery you will experience. Experts will be on hand to assist with with tips and tricks to improve your photography. If you already have ideas for topics that intersest you, please provide them at the time of registration.   

Participants may be part of the tour purely for personal interest or may earn up to three university credits (with additional fee and requirements).

Click here for a complete program itinerary.

Registration & Payment

The travel tour registration fee includes a $200 nonrefundable deposit and covers most meals and all travel and lodging during the tour. Three academic credits from The University of Montana may be earned for an additional $150 (and additional requirements).

The "early bird" registration fee is $1,795. For those wishing to register for the three academic credits, the registration fee is $1,945. "Early bird" registration closes on May 11, 2011.

After May 11, the registration fee is $1,920. For those wishing to register for the three academic credits, the registration fee is $2,070. The registration deadline is June 1, 2011. 

Registration is available here. Space is limited in the Crown of the Continent Travel Tour, so be sure to register early. Payment is due at the time of registration. If you have any registration questions or problems, please contact Clare Kelly at 406.243.6496 or clare.kelly@umontana.edu.

Cancellations/Refunds

If your cancellation is received by June 1, you will receive a full refund less the $200 nonrefundable deposit. Any cancellations received after June 1 will not be granted a refund. Contact Clare Kelly at clare.kelly@umontana.edu to cancel your registration.

Click here to follow us on Facebook

Learn more about The University of Montana's Crown of the Continent Initiative at crown.umt.edu.