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.
Gray sky meets a flat Flathead Valley bottom! (Keith Hammer photos)
Eleven Swan Rangers hiked the Birch Flats area on a mostly gray Saturday, December 8, 2018!
Birch Flats is located largely on DNRC lands along the foot of the Swan Range, between Jewel Basin Road and Mud Lake.
Looking south along the Swan's foothills! (Keith Hammer photos)
Eight Swan Rangers hiked to Patterson Creek on a snowy Saturday, December 1, 2018!
They hiked in via the Peterson Creek Road, which is now gated to motorized vehicles until July 1!
Click here for a map of the Peterson Creek Road and Trail system.
A view of Flathead Lake from the Phillips Trail! (Norma Linsky photos)
Ten Swan Rangers hiked the Phillips Trail on a partly sunny Saturday, November 24, 2018!
They hiked out and back from the Beardance Trailhead on Highway 35 to the Phillips Trailhead on Crane Mountain Road.
Click here for a map of the Beardance and Phillips trails.
The Swan Rangers pause at Windy Point! (Keith Hammer photos)
Twelve Swan Rangers hiked into Wolf Creek Canyon via the Broken Leg Trail on a chilly Saturday, November 17, 2018!
The conditions were great for tracking wildlife and seeing beautiful ice and frost.
Click here for a map of the Echo - Broken Leg Trail.
A spiraling vortex of trees and sky! (Keith Hammer photos)
Nine Swan Rangers hiked into Wolf Creek via the old Bear Creek Road on a sunny, fresh-snow Saturday, November 10, 2018!
It was champagne powder on the way in and spring runoff on the way back out!
The Rangers' first puddle sighting since June! (Keith Hammer photos)
Twelve Swan Rangers hiked the Foothills Ski Area on a damp Saturday, November 3, 2018!
They dreamt of snow, took two wrong turns, but still made it out alive!
Click here to learn more about North Shore Nordic Club or to make a donation towards their grooming of these fine ski trails during winter!
Mud, Echo, and Flathead Lakes with Fall colors! (Keith Hammer photos)
Fourteen Swan Rangers hiked up into the clouds along the Switchback Trail on an otherwise sunny Saturday, October 27, 2018!
Click here for a 45-second "moment of silence" video of water vapor rushing uphill to join the cloud ceiling along the Switchback Trail!
Click here for a map of the Switchback Trail.
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.