Krause Basin a winter wonderland once again! (Keith Hammer photos)

Just when you thought it safe to remove the bear spray from your pack belt for the season, eleven Swan Rangers discovered bear beds and wolverine tracks while skiing in Krause Basin on Saturday, December 6, 2014!

Couldn't be sure if the small bear was black or griz, but it had rested and bedded down in a couple places beneath hemlock trees since the snowfall stopped Friday.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks reported last week that only about half of the grizzly bears they monitor had gone into dens thus far.

Wolf Creek in its winter splendor! (Bob Muth and Joel Vignere photos)

Five Swan Rangers hiked the old Bear Creek Road to Wolf Creek on Saturday, November 29, 2014!

The outing began in a blizzard and ended with a bit of sunshine on a chilly day!

See the end of this post for a CHANGE in breakfast and meeting places for NEXT SATURDAY ONLY.

Tree huggers! (Keith Hammer photos)

Six Swan Rangers hiked hidden glades of western hemlock in Krause Basin on Saturday, November 22, 2014!

These off-trail gems offer everything from big old trees to tiny worlds of lichen and fungi!

Sunny terrain in the Swan Foothills! (Keith Hammer photos)

Like moths drawn to a sub-zero flame, fifteen Swan Rangers hiked the Swan Foothills seeking sun and fun on Saturday, November 15, 2014!

They hiked nearly seven miles in the Foothills Ski Area that will be groomed for skiing this winter by the North Shore Nordic Club!

In fact, tonight is North Shore Nordic's annual fundraiser in Lakeside from 6-10 - so visit http://northshorenordic.org for details on the fundraiser, to make a donation, or for maps of its two ski areas (Foothills/Bigfork and Blacktail/Lakeside)!

Mud, Echo and Flathead Lakes! (Keith Hammer photos).

Twelve Swan Rangers hiked the Switchback Trail up to the shoulder of Mount Aeneas on Saturday, November 8, 2014!

It was a gorgeous, sunny Fall day - and perhaps one of the last for a while with frigid temps and snow in the forecast!

Click here for a map of the Switchback Trail.

REMINDER: Swan View Coalition's annual membership meeting is Sunday, November 16, 4pm, followed by potluck at 5 and a music jam session - all at the Mtn. Brook Community Library, 2353 Foothill Road!

The Swan Crest viewed from Crane Mountain! (Keith Hammer photos)

Nine Swan Rangers hiked above valley fog on the eastern slopes of Crane Mountain Saturday, November 1, 2014!

It's a great place to wander in cedar forests among fungal friends!

Mount Aeneas reflected in Birch Lake! (Keith Hammer photos)

Ten Swan Rangers hiked to Birch and In-Thlam-Keh Lakes in Jewel Basin on Saturday, October 25, 2014!

Some fun was had emptying a found can of bear spray that had no trigger safety, so the Rangers could pack it out safely! ("Hack, hack, which way is the wind blowing? You get the picture!)

Click here to learn why "Squaw" Lake was renamed "In-Thlam-Keh."

Click here for a map of the Jewel Basin Hiking Area.

Noisy Creek on a Fall day! (Bob Muth photo)

Four Swan Rangers hiked in two groups up Noisy Creek and Wolf Creek on Saturday, October 18, 2014!

They missed connections in the parking lot, but all managed to take cameras and contribute photos for this report (thank you)!

The common denominators were beautiful streams and mushrooms!

Thimbleberry turning green to yellow. (Keith Hammer photos)

Eight Swan Rangers hiked the Peterson Creek Trail on a somewhat dark and overcast morning of Saturday, October 11, 2014!

It was a great opportunity for flash photography, however, and a tour of changing Fall colors!

Click here for a map of the Peterson Creek Trail.

The always charming Alpine Trail #7 above Jewel Lakes! (Keith Hammer photos)

Seven Swan Rangers hiked a loop in Jewel Basin on a gorgeous Indian Summer Saturday, October 4, 2014!

They hiked in via Twin Lakes, south along the historic Alpine Trail #7 above Jewel Lakes, then out via the notch above Picnic Lakes!

Click here for a map of the Jewel Basin Hiking Area.