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.
Mock orange along the road! (Keith Hammer photos)
Thirteen Swan Rangers hiked the Peterson Creek Trail on a sunny Saturday, June 24, 2017!
They turned around at the junction with Trail 353. After July 1, the gate on Road 5398 will open and shave 1.2 miles off this hike, making the old Red Owl burn and its fantastic views a bit easier to achieve!
Click here for a map of the Peterson Creek Trail.
Twenty hours were spent refurbishing the Krause Basin Interpretive Trail in June 2017; repairing vandalism to the signboard, pulling weeds from the trail tread, and trimming overgrowth to return it to its original width!
Click here for information about the trail and a free trail guide brochure.
Bridge over Bond Creek. (Susan Foster photo)
Thirteen Swan Rangers hiked to Bond Falls on a post-drip Saturday, June 17, 2017.
Three hiked Peters Ridge Road in search of illusive lady slippers!
Click here for a map of the Bond Creek Trail.
Toasting with sparkling cider at Strawberry Lake! (Keith Hammer photos)
Twelve Swan Rangers celebrated their 601st outing by hiking to Strawberry Lake on Saturday, June 10, 2017!
Since the first outing in November, 2005, nearly 600 different people have participated as Swan Rangers, averaging ten people per outing!
Click here for a map of the Strawberry Lake Trail.
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!