Pros:
The majority of the holes on the Blue Mountain disc golf course are really good or great. There are some super downhill drives, ranging from wide open to heavy trees. The layout is easy to follow, and not too easy or too hard. There are multiple tees on every hole except 10 and 13. The tees are decent rubber mats, and all of the baskets were in good condition. I would love to play this course on a regular basis.
The first hole is through a gap in the trees, crossing over a walking path that is cut into the mountain deep enough to keep anyone on it safe from discs. The basket is slightly above the level of the tee, and protected by several trees.
Hole 2 is a good left to right drive that has a number of trees on either side of a defined fairway. The basket is on a gentle slope that goes downhill to the left side. 3 adds in more elevation, driving around big trees to a pin at the top of a hill.
Hole 4 is the first par 4, and a real bomber, long and down a massive hill. There is a lot of open space down the middle and to the right side, until you get to the bottom, where tall, mature pines stand if front of the basket. It is an awesome tee shot that will tempt you to throw extra shots. 5 and 6 are good holes that are fairly flat, 6 being fairly long. 7 climbs to make up all of the elevation that you dropped back on 4. A tough uphill drive, but not a lot of trees until the approach. Hole 8 is a decent birdie shot, and 9 is a reasonably easy par finishing out the first half.
The back nine begins with another elevated tee looking over a wide open par 4. Good chance for birdie if you nail the drive and follow up with a good second shot. Hole 11 makes up for the loss in altitude, climbing up the next hill, and requiring two good throws to get a shot at a 3 for birdie. 12 is short and good for a birdie look without too much difficulty. 13 is yet another par 4 playing way downhill, this time through heavy woods. There is a line that can take you to the bottom, but it is not going to be easy. The approach also has several trees to get by for a putt.
Hole 14 and 15 are pretty flat and moderately wooded, good holes but nothing crazy. 16 is another great par 4 with a fun tee shot. Slightly sloping downhill steady and long, through a corridor of trees that turns to the left at the end. A good RHBH drive will get you to the corner, and from there the basket is in view at the bottom of the hill with a number of trees along the way. 17 is also downhill, and a bit more open. Par 3 and over 330' from the long tee, but I made a good drive and sunk the putt for a birdie. 18 is flat and wooded, a tricky drive that is reachable if you hit the gaps between trees just right.
Cons:
Tee signs could be better, some were missing. Losing a disc is not out of the question. I lost a Roadrunner on hole 2. It looked like a good drive, but I never could locate it. It may have rolled down the hill to the left, or been under a bit of tall grass. I also think it may have lodged in the branches of one of the trees on either side of the basket.
The parking was a little confusing. I wound up in the small area along the side of the road at the bottom of the path leading to hole one. There is a lot of parking in a paved lot across the street. There are also two lots where you could start on the back 9 that I would have probably used if I knew they were there. You can see them on the map that is linked to the course page.
Other Thoughts:
This was the second course on day two of my road trip. I left Billings after attempting to play Diamond X and only getting in 8 holes there. Drove through rain most of the way to Missoula, where it was sunny with perfect temperature.
Blue Mountain is a wonderful course, and has some great scenery. There are 4 or 5 average holes, but it is majority awesome for sure. It is a par 59 layout that has opportunity to play under par if you're on your game. I shot a 63 first time out, but with a few repetitions I think I could make 59 or better.