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.
(Elmer Sprunger artwork, Keith Hammer photos)
Eight Swan Rangers hiked the Sprunger-Whitney Nature Trail on a sunny morning before big afternoon thunderstorms Saturday, May 25, 2019!
Wildflowers are yet to peak, so visit this old-growth forest trail soon!
Click here for more information on Friends of the Wild Swan's Sprunger-Whitney Nature Trail.
A toast with sparkling cider at Wolf Creek! (Keith Hammer photos)
Seven Swan Rangers celebrated the Rangers' 700th every-Saturday outing at Wolf Creek on a drippy Saturday, May 18, 2019!
The first outing was November 12, 2005, and 572 people have since shared not only the landscape, but the natural and cultural history of the Swan Range!
In honor of this 700th outing and the mindful nature of the Swan Rangers, you are invited to practice the Swan Crest Crawl wherever you are. Click here for details!
Flathead Lake on a calm day! (Keith Hammer photos)
Eight Swan Rangers hiked the Phillips Trail up Crane Mountain on a warm, sunny Saturday, May 11, 2019!
They started from Highway 35, saw wildflowers galore, and found the trail snow-free all the way to the top at Crane Mountain Road!
Don't miss next Saturday's outing, which will be the Rangers' 700th outing and likely celebrated with something bubbly at Lunch Rock on the Echo - Broken Leg Trail!
Click here for a map of the Phillips Trail.
Meadow Rue. (Keith Hammer photos)
Eight Swan Rangers hiked from Bear Creek to Patterson Creek on a sunny Saturday, May 4, 2019!
There are many green things sprouting from the forest floor - oh, and ticks!
Click here for a map of the Bear Creek Road and Peterson Creek Trail.
Calm and quiet Estes Lake. (Keith Hammer photos)
Six Swan Rangers hiked from Woods Bay to Estes Lake on a changing-weather Saturday, April 27, 2019!
It's that time of year to enjoy emerging wildflowers!
Swan Range and Swan River in shades of gray! (Keith Hammer photos)
Five Swan Rangers hiked the Bigfork Nature Trail on a rainy Saturday, April 20, 2019!
The Trail runs two miles upstream from Bigfork along the Swan River.
Flathead Lake (Keith Hammer photos except one)
Six Swan Rangers snowshoed to Elk Springs on Saturday, April 13, though five did it vicariously while hiking the Peters Ridge Road!
They enjoyed Elk Springs via a text message and photo sent by the lone Ranger that did snowshoe there!
Looking down the power line corridor toward Flathead Lake and the Swan Range! (Norma Linsky photos)
Six Swan Rangers again skied the Blacktail X-country ski trails on a threatening-sky Saturday, April 6, 2019!
They skied the "power line" route in what may be their last ski of the season, but didn't get rained on!
Click here for more info about North Shore Nordic's Blacktail Ski Trails.
The Swan Crest seen across Flathead Lake! (Keith Hammer photos)
Thirteen Swan Rangers skied groomed x-country trails on Blacktail Mountain on a sunny Saturday, March 30, 2019!
Snow at lower elevations is getting punky and scarce!
Click here for more information on North Shore Nordic's Blacktail Ski Trails!