A veteran reporter who has covered many Trump rallies said of the scene, “My jaw dropped at the long, long lines of people and cars.” (Update at end from another reporter on scene: Cars abandoned on side of the road four deep, people walking miles to get to rally.)

Thousands of supporters lined up in the cold in Missoula, Montana, before dawn Thursday morning for a campaign rally by President Donald Trump set to start at 6:30 p.m. MDT. Photos and video taken throughout the day show long lines of bundled up supporters. In the afternoon long lines of cars could be seen backed up trying to get to the off-site parking lots for the rally being held at the Minuteman Aviation hangar at Missoula International Airport. Rally attendees are being bused from the parking lots to the hangar.

Trump is expected to speak with the mountains and Air Force One lending a cinematic backdrop for the rally in support of Republican candidate Matt Rosendale, who is running against incumbent Democrat Senator Jon Tester. Rosendale was elected the state Auditor in 2016 after previous elections to the state House and Senate.

A view from the media pit at Missoula Trump rally#TrumpMT pic.twitter.com/m51hl0XRxU — Darren Winberg (@darrenNBCMT) October 18, 2018

An estimated 6,000 to 8,000 were expected at the rally, but that appears to be a huge underestimate. One relatively late arrival filmed the line of people and cars Thursday afternoon.

TRENDING: BREAKING: Black Lives Matter Rioters in Hollywood Chase Down and Attack Driver.. UPDATE... DRIVER DETAINED BY POLICE (SHOCKING VIDEO)

Phil Drake, Helena bureau reporter for Great Falls Tribune, wrote of his awe at the size of the turnout for Trump, “I am being bused to the rally site. My jaw dropped at the long, long lines of people and cars.”

I am being bused to the rally site. My jaw dropped at the long, long lines of people and cars. — Phil Drake (@GFTrib_PDrake) October 18, 2018

Earlier, Drake had reported on the long lines just to use the bathrooms (porta-potties) an the off-site parking, “Lines for bathroom are so long at Trump rally that one man shouts out that you need to make your mind up an hour before that you have to go.”

Lines for bathroom are so long at Trump rally that one man shouts out that you need to make your mind up an hour before that you have to go. — Phil Drake (@GFTrib_PDrake) October 18, 2018

Drake mentioned he has covered many Trump rallies, “I have been to so many Trump rallies that I now know the playlist. I can’t wait for “My Way,” my favorite.”

I have been to so many Trump rallies that I now know the playlist. I can't wait for "My Way," my favorite. — Phil Drake (@GFTrib_PDrake) October 18, 2018

This video report by KPAX-TV sets the scene:

Another view of the line by NBCMT’s Darren Winberg.

Crowds lining up early to see @realDonaldTrump her in Missoula Montana #trumpinmissoula pic.twitter.com/GvsQq41nYp — Darren Winberg (@darrenNBCMT) October 18, 2018

Jeremy Moorhead with CNN captured the line around 10:30 a.m.

In Missoula, Montana this morning – long lines already forming for the Trump rally later tonight pic.twitter.com/Eg5gvqtIdl — Jeremy Moorhead (@jmoorheadcnn) October 18, 2018

And at 1 p.m.

Checkout these long lines for the Trump rally in #Missoula against the backdrop of the mountains! pic.twitter.com/P8IGXsSssj — Jeremy Moorhead (@jmoorheadcnn) October 18, 2018

The end of the line in the far distance around 2:40 p.m. MDT.

School buses being used to shuttle attendees to the rally hangar.

Trump supporters loading to get on the bus to see @POTUS rally in Missoula Montana #Trump #trumpinmissoula pic.twitter.com/3GmPlEe6NB — Darren Winberg (@darrenNBCMT) October 18, 2018

Drake posted photos of rally attendees.

Friends Marilyn Strange, left, and Linda Martin are wearing Trump red Thursday in Missoula. pic.twitter.com/4AmRGbq7UE — Phil Drake (@GFTrib_PDrake) October 18, 2018

Windee Rigler places a Trump bumper sticker on back of son Bryce’s wheelchair. pic.twitter.com/UD1CRajkS4 — Phil Drake (@GFTrib_PDrake) October 18, 2018

UPDATE: Video from press riser taken two-and-half hours before the scheduled 6:30 p.m. MDT start shows the bleachers and front of the hangar already filling in.

Crowd gathers in the Minuteman Aviation hanger at Missoula International Airport ahead of President Trump rally. pic.twitter.com/7xtwxeCc7F — Rion Sanders (@GFTrib_RSanders) October 18, 2018

Second update: Troy Shockley, News Director at KCAP, reported cars were abandoned on the side of the road four deep with attendees walking miles to get to the rally.

You can get into rides in Disney World quicker than this. There’s a bit of a wait for #TrumpMT #mtpol #mtsen pic.twitter.com/HSnqnfL8yR — Troy Shockley (@Sh0ckJock) October 18, 2018

Starting to think these folks walking in from a few miles out had the right idea … #TrumpMT #mtpol — Troy Shockley (@Sh0ckJock) October 18, 2018

I’ve abandoned all hope of reaching the media parking area, after moving half a mile in nearly 90 minutes. Many others now with the same idea … leaving cars along side of the road parked four deep in spots. #TrumpMT #mtpol #mtsen pic.twitter.com/2UQ8pq26cC — Troy Shockley (@Sh0ckJock) October 18, 2018

Shockley made it:

Two hours until #TrumpMT but looks like we are about full here in the hangar. #mtpol pic.twitter.com/NtpzNhrA3B — Troy Shockley (@Sh0ckJock) October 18, 2018

And he notes there is an overflow space.