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.
Recent avalanches ran downslope of underlying glide cracks in Spider Bowl! (Keith Hammer photos)
Fifteen Swan Rangers did not ski the avalanche prone Spider Bowl on Saturday, March 8, instead viewing it from a distance while snowshoeing a loop over Krause Knob!
It was a beautiful sunny day to enjoy the low country as the backcountry sheds itself of recent heavy snows!
Sunny rewards following a windy, sub-zero morning! (Keith Hammer photos)
Seven Swan Rangers skied the Chateau de Swan Vieaux on a blustery Saturday morning turned sunny, March 1, 2014!
They ignored Cafe waitress' warnings, plunged headlong into "Winter Storm 2014," and survived!
An invite to the exclusive Chateau de Swan Vieaux was just the ticket for what started out as a grim looking day!
North Fork of Krause Creek. (Keith Hammer photos)
Eleven Swan Rangers skied the North Fork - of Krause Basin - on a beautiful Saturday, February 22, 2014!
The snow was fresh, light and deep; something that will soon become rare as winter wanes!
To find out how the North Fork Flathead is connected to the Swan Range, read on!
An old network of roads in Krause Basin, snowed-in during winter and great for skiing and snowshoeing, are shown on the Swan Lake District Map.
Peters Ridge watches over Krause Basin. (Keith Hammer photos)
Ten Swan Rangers snowshoed a loop in Krause Basin on Saturday, February 15, 2014!
An early morning crust soon gave way to warmer temps and bluer skies as the day turned absolutely gorgeous!
An old network of roads in Krause Basin, snowed-in during winter and great for skiing and snowshoeing, are shown on the Swan Lake District Map.
Headed toward Noisy Basin, sort of! (Keith Hammer photos)
Eleven Swan Rangers skied a couple big loops at the Bigfork Community Nordic Center along Foothill Road on Saturday, February 8, 2014!
They got an early -7 degree start in order to avoid the heat of the afternoon!
You can support North Shore Nordic and their volunteer grooming of this fine trail system by visiting http://northshorenordic.org!
Many thanks to Dave and Neil for keeping the Foothill trails in such great shape!
Cottonwood Bottom on a blue sky day! (Keith Hammer photos)
Twenty four Swan Rangers enjoyed Krause Basin by ski and snowshoe on a crispy blue Saturday, February 1, 2014!
Hard to tell if the large turnout was due to the fresh snow or an attempt to burn calories in advance of Super Bowl Sunday!
An old network of roads in Krause Basin, snowed-in during winter and great for skiing and snowshoeing, are shown on the Swan Lake District Map.
Striking a pose on Porcupine Bridge. (Keith Hammer photos)
Twelve Swan Rangers skied the Porcupine Road across the Swan River and up to Mission Lookout on Saturday, January 25, 2014.
Snow conditions could have been better for skiing, but they still revealed tracks of deer, elk, moose, pine marten, bobcat, and snowcat!
Click here for Flathead National Forest District maps (free as PDFs).
Hall Peak viewed through Refuge cattails. (Keith Hammer photos)
Fourteen Swan Rangers hiked and snowshoed Bog Road in the Swan River Wildlife Refuge under blue skies on Saturday, January 18, 2014!
The snow was mostly boiler plate in the morning cold, except when one would occasionally break through to the knees!
The Rangers saw a coyote and a weasel that had been killed by a coyote, as well as tracks of elk, bobcat and smaller critters.
Up, up into the storm clouds! (Keith Hammer photos)
Nine Swan Rangers skied Peters Ridge Road under threatening skies on Saturday, January 11, 2014!
With true Ranger charm (or dumb luck), the outing took place between morning drizzle and an afternoon rain!
Click here for a free Forest Service PDF map of Peters Ridge Road and Trail.
Click here for Flathead National Forest District maps (free as PDFs).