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.
View of a still-frozen Flathead Lake! (Keith Hammer photos)
Ten Swan Rangers skied a rutted Peters Ridge Road on a sunny Saturday, March 23, 2019!
Pickups have rutted up the first 1.7 miles to the fork in the road, but the right-hand fork was then smooth sailing!
Click here for a map of the Peters Ridge Road.
Looking up the Swan River from the Porcupine bridge! (Keith Hammer photos)
Five Swan Rangers skied the Porcupine Road on a sunny, crunchy in the morning Saturday, March 16, 2019!
With the spur road to Mission Lookout tore up by snow machines, they kept to the Porupine Road for four miles before turning around for a softer-snow yet pretty quick downhill return!
Sunshine and dizzy coyote tracks! (Keith Hammer photos except one)
Eleven Swan Rangers skied the Swan River National Wildlife Refuge on a sometimes sunny Saturday, March 9, 2019!
All but the main river was well frozen with no open leads to negotiate.
The Swan Crest above Peters Ridge. (Keith Hammer photo)
Faced with travel advisories and another arctic front with subzero temps and wind chills, the Swan Rangers cancelled their outing for Saturday, March 2, 2019!
It turned into a beautifully sunny day for folks to shovel, plow, split firewood, thaw out frozen pipes, and partake of other arctic accoutrements - but cold winds did persist just to keep it challenging!
The arctic front blew in a little earlier than forecast! (Keith Hammer photos except one)
Eight Swan Rangers skied up the Peters Ridge Road, then down the old Krause Basin Road to Foothill Road on a blizzardy Saturday, February 23, 2019!
Three Swan Rangers opted for the Foothills Ski Area, where it also blew and snowed!
This map will show you Peters Ridge Road 5388, but not how to loop back to Foothill Road!
"Krause Canyon" (Keith Hammer photos)
Ten Swan Rangers skied and snowshoed in Krause Basin on a wintery Saturday, February 16, 2019!
The skiers skied up Strawberry Lake road and broke trail down through Cottonwood Bottom, while the lone snowshoer broke trail in a ways from below!
Lots of trail-breaking this past week with fresh snow most every day!
Peters Ridge and trees blown clear of snow! (Keith Hammer photo)
Zero Swan Rangers skied a windy subzero Saturday morning, February 9, 2019!
A short ski in the slightly above-zero afternoon was better than the morning's -30 degree wind-chill, but still a bit brisk!
See below for photos of truly cat-astrophic weather conditions!
A glimpse of Flathead Lake between Crane Mtn. and Swan Hill! (Keith Hammer photos)
Seven Swan Rangers skied and snowshoed in the Bear Creek area on a balmy Saturday, February 2, 2019!
They enjoyed the thaw and warm snow before the big freeze forecast for later in the day and night!
Click here for a map of the Bear Creek area and skiable Peterson Creek Road 5398.
Wolf Creek in winter! (Keith Hammer photos)
Eleven Swan Rangers skied and snowshoed to Wolf Creek from the old Bear Creek Road on a "mashed potatoes" Saturday, January 26, 2019!
Though the snow was damp and heavy, like mashed potatoes, it was plentiful and skiing it still beats hiking in January!