The northern Swan Range -- home to the Jewel Basin Hiking Area and Alpine Trail No. 7, is the rugged backyard and scenic backdrop of the Flathead Valley. From Inspriation Pass to Columbia Mountain, the northern Swan supports our unique way of life and contributes much to the natural beauty and economic prosperity of the entire Flathead Valley. This website is dedicated to the enjoyment and appreciation of the northern Swan Range. Now is the time to act for the future of the Swan.
Birch Lake! (Norma Linsky photos)
Six Swan Rangers hiked to Birch Lake in the Jewel Basin Hiking Area on a sunny Saturday, October 20, 2018!
They beat the crowds and had the place to themselves!
Click here for a map of Jewel Basin.
The seasons they are a-changin'! (Keith Hammer photos)
Seven Swan Rangers hiked the Peterson Creek Trail on a fresh-snow Saturday, October 13, 2018!
Time to break out the long-johns!
Click here for a map of the Peterson Creek Trail.
Taking a stroll through Cottonwood Bottom! (Keith Hammer photos)
Five Swan Rangers hiked Krause Basin on a chilly Saturday, October 6, 2018!
They hiked all three forks of Krause Creek, amid Fall colors and strange mushrooms!
Looking up the Swan River at the Swan Range! (Keith Hammer photos)
Eight Swan Rangers hiked the Swan River Nature Trail on a blustery Saturday, September 29, 2018!
Always a good fallback when the weather is iffy!
Click here for information about the Swan River Nature Trail, recently renamed the Bigfork Nature Trail.
Looking down Browns Creek to the Flathead Valley! (Pam Willison photos)
Ten Swan Rangers hiked the Peters Ridge Trail to the Swan Crest on the first day of Autumn, 2018!
It was raw and windy up there - and the colors don't lie about what season it is!
Click here for a map of the Peters Ridge Trail.
View of Flathead Lake from Elk Springs! (Keith Hammer photos)
Thirteen Swan Rangers hiked a loop through Elk Springs for outing #666 on a suspiciously splendid Saturday, September 15, 2018!
Those not suffering from hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia or hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia had a devil of a good time!
The Swan Rangers took their first outing on November 12, 2005, and have only missed a couple Saturdays since!
Crossing Groom Creek. (Keith Hammer photos)
Fifteen Swan Rangers hiked to Hall Lake on a slightly hazy but none too lazy Saturday, September 8, 2018!
Some nice breezes helped clear the air!
Click here for a map of the Hall Lake Trail.
The glaciated purple argillite cliff known as Lunch Rock! (Keith Hammer photos)
Thirteen Swan Rangers hiked to Lunch Rock in Wolf Creek Canyon on a sunny Saturday, September 1, 2018!
They got there via 4+ miles of the Echo Broken Leg Trail, where they wagered it might be a similar distance back to the cars!
Click here for a map of the Echo Broken Leg Trail.
Checking out a big fallen tree! (Keith Hammer photos)
Twelve Swan Rangers hiked the Sprunger-Whitney Nature Trail on a very smokey Saturday, August 25, 2018!
It was an informative alternative to sucking in wildfire smoke on steeper trails!
Click here for a map and information on Friends of the Wild Swan and their Sprunger-Whitney Nature Trail.