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.
Looking up Wolf Creek Canyon from Windy Point. (Keith Hammer photos)
Nine Swan Rangers hiked to Lunch Rock in Wolf Creek Canyon on Saturday, September 14, 2019!
It was a great day to observe late-summer plant life going to seed!
Click here for a map of the Echo - Broken Leg Trail.
Looking down Quintonkon Creek to Hungry Horse Reservoir. (Keith Hammer photos)
Seven Swan Rangers hiked Sixmile Peak on an atmospheric Saturday, September 7, 2019!
They went seeking clarity and were fortunate enough to find some!
Click here for a map of the Sixmile Trail.
A view of the Flathead Valley from near Strawberry Lake! (Debra Schweitzer photos)
Five Swan Rangers hiked to Strawberry Lake on a foggy-turned-sunny Saturday, August 31, 2019!
A few other Rangers were off-grid camping and hiking in the Galton Range and hence this late report!
Click here for a map of the Strawberry Lake Trail.
Sittin' on the dock of the bay, above Elk Spring! (Keith Hammer photos)
Eleven Swan Rangers hiked a loop from Bear Creek to Wolf Creek, up to Elk Spring, and back down to Bear Creek on a partly cloudy Saturday, August 24, 2019!
It was a tour of bear scat and Huckleberry Heaven!
Sorry, there is no map of this partly off piste route. Really!
Good day to carry a rain coat? (Keith Hammer photos)
Eight Swan Rangers hiked a loop in Johnson Creek on a still-unsettled-weather Saturday, August 17, 2019!
Their hike was cut short not by the weather but by subdivision of private lands once open to public recreation!
Rangers at South Krause Creek. (Keith Hammer photos)
Eight Swan Rangers hiked a loop in Krause Basin on a damp-turned-sunny-before-more-thundershowers-arrive Saturday, August 10, 2019!
They opted to check out the little stuff and stay off the high ridges with lightning in the forecast!
Wild Horse Island and Flathead Lake. (Keith Hammer photos)
Sixteen Swan Rangers hiked the Beardance Trail on a hot Saturday, August 3, 2019!
It's a shady trail with great views of Flathead Lake!
Click here for a map of the Beardance Trail.
Clayton Lake and Pioneer Ridge viewed from Tongue Mountain (Keith Hammer photos)
Ten Swan Rangers hiked Tongue Mountain on a breezy Saturday, July 27, 2019!
The hike is a tour of the northern part of Jewel Basin with views of mountains, lakes, and wildflowers galore!
Click here for a map of Jewel Basin Hiking Area.
View of Echo Lake, Flathead Lake and the switchbacks from Bee Notch. (Keith Hammer photos)
Eight Swan Rangers hiked the Peters Ridge Trail to the Swan Crest's Bee Notch on a sunny Saturday, July 20, 2019!
With wildflowers in full bloom, the bees were busy flying pollen and nectar over the Swan Crest!
Click here for a map of the Peters Ridge Trail.