• Students receive a Hike and Read t-shirt with a quote from that year's text.
  • The campfire where music and conversation are enjoyed, overlooking Hyalite Resevoir.
  • Students eat lunch on the hike, sometimes at a waterfall, sometimes at the lake, very often on the peak!
  • Students experience a variety of scenery as they hike from valley floor to mountain peak.
  • Many lifelong friendships have been forged at Hike and Read.

Join us for a weekend of outdoor recreation, book discussion and camaraderie. Hike and Read affords incoming students the opportunity to informally interact with Honors faculty, staff and students in a beautiful outdoor setting. Our base will be the Hyalite Youth Camp located in Hyalite Canyon, 15 miles south of Bozeman. Tall pine trees and a lake surround rustic cabins and a dining/meeting hall where delicious meals are served. Over the weekend, the evenings will be occupied by informal lectures by distinguished MSU faculty. These presentations, ranging from storytelling to a geological look at the canyon, are certain to spark your interest and generate lively discussion. All campers are required to read a text selected by one of our distinguished speakers, which will be the subject of one of the presentations. The evening sessions will be followed by a campfire with s'mores! On Saturday, students will hike various distances on the Hyalite Peak Trail, with upperclassmen counselors and Honors College faculty and staff.

Due to the nature of the weather at this altitude, please come prepared for any weather, including snow! The cabins have wood framed bunks but no mattresses, so be sure to bring a sleeping pad or camping mattress. Cabins have electric lights but no outlets. Indoor showers and bathrooms are available. There is no cell service in the canyon, but hiking groups will be equipped with radios to communicate with each other.

Recommended packing list:

  • Warm sleeping bag and/or extra blankets (nightime temperatures sometimes dip below 20 degrees Fahrenheit!)
  • Camping mattress or sleeping pad
  • Pillow, towel, toiletries
  • Shower sandals
  • Sturdy and comfortable hiking boots/shoes
  • Warm jacket, sweatshirt, warm hat
  • Extra layers for hiking (mornings start out cold but afternoons are usually warm)
  • Shorts and pants
  • Sunscreen and bug spray
  • Flashlight or headlamp
  • Backpack for day-long hike
  • Water bottle

This weekend event is limited to the first 70 students who submit the registration form below. A fee of $175 will be assessed to your student account for this course. The fee covers transportation, food and lodging. Students are required to use the transportation to camp arranged by the Honors College, unless approved by the Dean. Please note that students in the Spirit of the West marching band will likely not be able to attend due to performance obligations.

Please contact Dawn Major at 406-994-4110 or [email protected] with questions!

 denotes required fields.

Personal Information
Medical Information
Participants must assume sole responsibility for medical/emergency expenses due to personal injury or illness, including evacuation and rescue costs.
List any physical disabilities, conditions, past injuries or any other limitations which may affect your participation.
List any allergies, medications and/or medical alert information.
Provide the name, phone and address of your emergency contact.
Optional: provide the name, phone and address of a second emergency contact.
Provide the name, address and phone number of your physician.
If I should require medical treatment because of injury or illness during the trip, I consent to treatment in an emergency in the event that I am unable to consent to such treatment at that time. I acknowledge that MSU does not provide health and accident insurance for field trip participants. I agree to be financially responsible for any medical bills incurred. I will notify the Honors College in writing of any medical conditions of which medical personnel should be informed. I acknowledge that I have read the foregoing Medical Consent, understand it and sign it voluntarily. I am over 18 yrs of age, fully competent and I fully intend to be bound by the terms of this agreement.
By typing my initials here, I agree to the above.
If you will still be a minor at the time of Hike and Read, please have your parent/guardian complete the line below.
By typing my name here, I grant permission for emergency medical services for my minor child or ward.
Participation Agreement
As a participant on a course excursion offered through the MSU Honors College, I understand and agree to the following terms listed below:
1. I will respect the authority and responsibility of the counselors and will abide by their decisions.
2. I take full responsibility for meeting the financial responsibilities of the course.
3. I agree not to consume alcohol or use illegal drugs.
4. I will stay with the group throughout the weekend.
5. The trip ends upon return to the MSU campus. I will return with my group unless prior arrangements have been made and approved by the Honors Dean. MSU is not responsible for any person who is approved to travel separately from the group.
6. I understand that MSU does not provide health, accident, disability, or other insurance to Hike and Read participants. I have health insurance coverage and I have contacted my insurance company to receive appropriate documentation and will carry it with me at all times. I am aware that participation in travel activities involves inherent risks which present the possibility of serious physical injury, mental trauma or death. I fully realize the dangers of participation in activities of this nature and voluntarily assume all risks associated with such participation. I agree to be responsible for payment of all medical treatment for any injuries incurred during the Hike and Read weekend. 
7. I agree that it is my sole responsibility to be familiar with the physical and/or mental demands associated with these extracurricular activities. With this in mind, I have no physical or mental condition which, to my knowledge, would endanger myself or others if I participate in these extracurricular activities. I agree to inform the counselors of any existing medical conditions that might require treatment, accommodation for participation in trip activities, or about which medical personnel should be informed.
8. I understand that I represent MSU and that this is a University course. Therefore, I agree to be bound by the rules established by the Honors College, University rules, policies and regulations, and further agree to follow all laws of the city, county, and state while on the trip. I understand it is important for the continuance of future programs that participants observe standards of conduct that would not compromise MSU in the eyes of the individuals and organizations with which it has dealings. Students will uphold the MSU Student Code of Conduct.
9. I understand that MSU may terminate my participation for failure to behave and act in accordance with the program’s regulations on conduct, for failure to follow the instructions and directions of the program coordinators and/or supervisors, or for any acts of conduct which are detrimental to or incompatible with the interest, harmony, comfort, or welfare of the program as a whole. If my participation is terminated for these reasons, I agree that there will be no refund of payments and I understand that I will be escorted immediately back to campus at my own expense.
10. I will contact the sponsoring unit and/or MSU’s Disability Services office if I need reasonable accommodations to participate in the trip as soon as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be made to allow me to participate. I understand that if I do not seek accommodations in a timely manner, the accommodation may not be able to be provided.
11. I understand and agree that conditions may arise during these extracurricular activities which may be beyond the control of the coordinators, instructors or other participants. I therefore release, forever discharge and agree not to sue the Honors College, Montana State University, the State of Montana or other participants. I hereby waive all claims which I now have or may hereafter have against the above organizations or persons, however caused, in regard to my participation in these extracurricular activities. I agree, for myself and my successors, that the above representations and agreements are contractually binding and are not mere recitals. I agree that my failure of refusal to sign other such agreements or releases shall in no way affect the validity of the agreement nor revoke or cancel any of the terms. Furthermore, in the event that a claim or suit is brought forth in violation of this agreement, I or any of my successors shall be liable for the expenses incurred by the other party of parties in defending against such actions. This agreement may not be modified orally.
12. I have read this document and fully understand its contents. I am aware this is an assumption of risk/release of liability, a waiver of claims and an agreement not to sue. This contract is entered into between myself, the Honors College, Montana State University and for the benefit of others previously described.
By typing my name here, I agree to the above.
Photo Release (Optional)
I grant MSU the absolute and irrevocable right and permission to use, reuse and publish any photographs of me taken in connection with this trip, in whole or in part, in any and all media including
use on the world wide web, now or hereafter, and for any purpose. I also agree that my name and any public information about me may be used as MSU chooses.
I understand and agree to the above stated conditions and responsibilities and hereby confirm that all information which I have provided is correct and current.

people in a mountain meadow