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.
Arnica along the way! (Keith Hammer photos)
Eleven Swan Rangers hiked to Estes Lake from Woods Bay on a pleasant Saturday, May 20, 2017!
The wildflowers and the mosquitos were out for all to enjoy!
Don't you love the colors of bud sheaths and mountain maple leaves? (Keith Hammer photos)
Seven Swan Rangers hiked Elk Springs and Wolf Creek on a chilly, drippy Saturday, May 13, 2017!
Most encountered fresh snow near the source of Elk Springs, while two chose to check out the lower elevations of Wolf Creek!
Snack break at Windy Point! (Susan Foster photo)
Ten Swan Rangers hiked the Echo-Broken Leg Trail as far as Windy Point on a balmy Saturday, May 6, 2017!
This south-facing trail is a great one for early season wildflowers and ticks!
Click here for a map of the Echo-Broken Leg Trail.
Flathead Lake with approaching rain shower. (Keith Hammer photo)
Eleven Swan Rangers hiked Krause Knob on a partly cloudy, partly sunny Saturday, April 29, 2017!
The northern aspects in Krause Basin still have heavy snow pack!
A sunny day sandwiched between rainy weeks! (Keith Hammer photos unless otherwise noted)
Eleven Swan Rangers hiked the Johnson Creek Road on a sunny Saturday, April 22, 2017!
The logging road leaves Hwy 83 just north of the Bigfork Gun Club, is closed to motor vehicles and provides access to the area between Broken Leg and Sixmile mountains - thanks to the gracious access provided by Stoltze Land and Lumber Company.
It eventually joins with the Forest Service's Sixmile Sidehill Trail to Weed Lake at its west end, though this map does not show the road!
Squalls and wind on Flathead Lake! (Keith Hammer photos unless otherwise noted)
Fourteen Swan Rangers hiked the Phillips Trail on a somewhat squally Saturday, April 15, 2017!
There was surprisingly little snow - as in none as far as the Flathead Lake overlook!
Click here for a map of the Phillips Trail on Crane Mountain.
The morning was sunny and warm! (Keith Hammer photos)
Ten Swan Rangers hiked State Forest land between Mud Lake and Jewel Basin Road during the sunny part of Saturday, April 8, 2017!
DNRC's old logging units are thawing off sooner than the surrounding forests and offering signs of early green-up.
Nearing the top of the Alpine Loop! (Norma Linsky photo)
Five Swan Rangers took another "last ski" on the Blacktail ski trails on Saturday, April 1, 2017!
No fooling: North Shore Nordic decided to groom one more weekend so the Rangers followed suit!
The Swan Range seen from Blacktail Mountain! (Keith Hammer photos)
Ten Swan Rangers skied the Blacktail Mountain Nordic Trails on a mostly sunny Saturday, March 25, 2017!
It was a search for skiable snow - with the backcountry turning to mush, the Foothills/Bigfork Ski Area no longer skiable, and this perhaps the last weekend for Blacktail grooming as well!
Remember, North Shore Nordic grooms both ski trail systems and relies on your donations!