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.
"Krause Canyon" (Keith Hammer photos)
Ten Swan Rangers skied and snowshoed in Krause Basin on a wintery Saturday, February 16, 2019!
The skiers skied up Strawberry Lake road and broke trail down through Cottonwood Bottom, while the lone snowshoer broke trail in a ways from below!
Lots of trail-breaking this past week with fresh snow most every day!
Peters Ridge and trees blown clear of snow! (Keith Hammer photo)
Zero Swan Rangers skied a windy subzero Saturday morning, February 9, 2019!
A short ski in the slightly above-zero afternoon was better than the morning's -30 degree wind-chill, but still a bit brisk!
See below for photos of truly cat-astrophic weather conditions!
A glimpse of Flathead Lake between Crane Mtn. and Swan Hill! (Keith Hammer photos)
Seven Swan Rangers skied and snowshoed in the Bear Creek area on a balmy Saturday, February 2, 2019!
They enjoyed the thaw and warm snow before the big freeze forecast for later in the day and night!
Click here for a map of the Bear Creek area and skiable Peterson Creek Road 5398.
Wolf Creek in winter! (Keith Hammer photos)
Eleven Swan Rangers skied and snowshoed to Wolf Creek from the old Bear Creek Road on a "mashed potatoes" Saturday, January 26, 2019!
Though the snow was damp and heavy, like mashed potatoes, it was plentiful and skiing it still beats hiking in January!
A cottonwood skyline in Cottonwood Bottom! (Keith Hammer photos)
Thirteen Swan Rangers skied and snowshoed in Krause Basin on a slightly sticky Saturday, January 19, 2019!
The skiers broke trail up through Cottonwood Bottom to Strawberry Lake Road, where some returned by the road to make a loop and the others retraced their path!
The Swan Range seen from Blacktail Mtn in the Salish Range! (Keith Hammer photo)
Eight Swan Rangers practiced inversion aversion by skiing and snowshoeing the Blacktail Mountain Nordic Trails on an inverted Saturday, January 12, 2019!
The upper potrions of the nordic trails were right at the top of the cloud layer while Blacktail Mtn rose above it all!
Click here for maps and info on how to support the non-profit Blacktail Mountain Nordic Trails!
The Swan Crest above Noisy Creek! (Keith Hammer photos)
Twelve Swan Rangers hiked DNRC lands between the Jewel Basin Road and Mud Lake on a crunchy Saturday, January 5, 2019!
Warm days with rain but freezing nights have put low elevation skiing on hold for a while!
Treetop skyline of birch and hemlock. (Keith Hammer photos)
Thirteen Swan Rangers skied and snowshoed the North Fork of Krause Creek on a snowy Saturday, December 29, 2018!
There were tracks of wildlife galore and a story told in the reading of them!
Rangers last seen here before going off-track! (Keith Hammer photos)
Twelve Swan Rangers bushwhacked up Noisy Creek on a partly sunny Saturday, December 22, 2018!
Part of the bushwhack included the overgrown Noisy Creek Road that runs out the north end of North Shore Nordic's Foothills Ski Area!