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.
A smokey Lake Blaine and Flathead Valley! (Keith Hammer photos)
Nine Swan Rangers hiked the Hemler Creek Trail above Lake Blaine on a smoking hot Saturday, August 12, 2017!
They had a berry good time!
Click here for a map of the Hemler Creek Trail.
A view of Wildhorse Island across Flathead Lake! (Keith Hammer photos unless otherwise noted)
Ten Swan Rangers hiked the Beardance Trail on a cool but slightly smokey Saturday, August 5, 2017!
They did find some huckleberries but they aren't there any more!
Click here for information about the Beardance Trail.
Cedar Lake. (Keith Hammer photos)
Seven Swan Rangers hiked to Cedar Lake in the Mission Mountains Wilderness on a hot Saturday, July 29, 2017!
The Rangers discovered it an ill-advised adventure to seek the trailhead via the rough and poorly signed Fatty Creek Road network!
Instead, click here for the Forest Service map but ignore its driving directions and instead turn off Hwy 83 between mileposts 54 and 53 onto the much smoother Piper Creek Road 966, then right on Road 10381 to the Cedar Lake/Fatty Creek trailhead (or stay on Road 966 for the Piper Creek/Lake trailhead). These are the better roads and the only ones well signed.
A view of Flathead Lake and Ferndale from Elk Springs (Keith Hammer photos unless otherwise noted)
Eleven Swan Rangers hiked to Elk Springs and eight hiked to Hall Lake on a sunny Saturday, July 22, 2017!
They didn't see or eat a single huckleberry along the way!
Click here for a map of the Hall Lake Trail.
Click here for a map of the best huckleberry patches in the Swan Range!
Swan Crest view of Peters Ridge and Flathead Lake! (Keith Hammer photos)
Nine Swan Rangers hiked Peters Ridge through Bee Notch on a will-it-thunderstorm Saturday, July 15, 2017!
Wildflowers remain abundant and the bees remain very happy!
Click here for a map of the Peters Ridge Trail.
Air conditioning was found at higher elevation, snowfields and meltwater! (Keith Hammer photos)
Fifteen Swan Rangers broke into two groups and hiked Tongue Mountain to overlook Clayton Lake on a hot Saturday, July 8, 2017!
Trail junctions were a bit hard to find due to lingering snow, but the cooler air was worth it!
Click here for a map of the Jewel Basin Hiking Area.
Mt. Aeneas southern view of Birch, In-Thlam-Keh and Crater Lakes! (Keith Hammer photos unless otherwise noted)
Fifteen Swan Rangers split into two groups to hike in Jewel Basin on a sunny Saturday, July 1, 2017!
Half hiked up Mt. Aeneas and half to Birch Lake!
Click here for a map of Jewel Basin Hiking Area.
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.
