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.
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.
Entering the solitude of Cottonwood Bottom (Keith Hammer photos)
Fourteen Swan Rangers hiked a shady and cool Krause Basin on a smokey Saturday, August 18, 2018!
They also discussed a bit of encouraging news for Krause Basin found in the Forest Service's recent response to Forest Plan Objections (look for a Swan View Coalition newsletter alert soon)!
Estes Lake amid glaciated bedrock! (Keith Hammer photos)
Eleven Swan Rangers hiked to Estes Lake on a smokey Saturday, August 11, 2018!
They hiked in from the Ferndale side and the Crane Mountain Road.
Click here for a map of the Estes Lake Trail.
Strawberry Lake from Alpine Trail #7! (Keith Hammer photos)
Nine Swan Rangers hiked to the divide between Strawberry and Wildcat Lakes on a sunny Saturday, August 4, 2018!
The vegetation is still very lush at higher elevations and many wildflowers are still in their prime!
Click here for a map of the Strawberry Lake Trail and Alpine Trail #7 heading east toward Wildcat Lake.
Alpine Trail #7 is just through this pass into Quintonkon Creek! (Keith Hammer photos)
Fourteen Swan Rangers hiked up into the Red Owl Burn via the Peterson Creek Trail on a sunny Saturday, July 28, 2018!
They lunched and turned around about a mile shy of Alpine Trail #7, where the lunchtime views are the best!
Click here for a map of the Peterson Creek Trail.