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.
Chris Gotschalk photo looking down on the boulder field by Elk Spring!
Swan Rangers sent in more wonderful photos from their hikes during the week ending July 11, 2020!
Click here or scroll down for their photos and details!
While the Swan Ranger Saturday group outings remain suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic, we will get a report out each week with items of interest to folks trying to get outside for some "social distancing" and spirit-calming fresh air.
Rangers enjoying the view of Flathead Lake from the Crater Notch Trail! (Keith Hammer photos unless otherwise noted)
Swan Rangers found more wonderful wildflowers and wildlife while hiking the week ending July 4, 2020!
Click here or scroll down for their photos and details!
While the Swan Ranger Saturday group outings remain suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic, we will get a report out each week with items of interest to folks trying to get outside for some "social distancing" and spirit-calming fresh air.
Swan Ranger volunteers have been digging new trail tread where uprooted tree "root wads" blocked or took the trails with them!
Five big wind storms since October blew down a lot of trees in the Swan Range and elsewhere. While others are clearing the trails with chainsaws, Swan Ranger volunteers have been able to help reestablish trail tread where necessary - here along the Echo - Broken Leg Trail and along the Switchback Trail!
View of Flathead, Mud and Echo Lakes from the Switchback Trail! (Keith Hammer photos)
Swan Rangers enjoyed both sides of the Swan Range in the week ending Saturday, June 27, 2020!
Click here or scroll down for their photos and details!
While the Swan Ranger Saturday group outings remain suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic, we will get a report out each week with items of interest to folks trying to get outside for some "social distancing" and spirit-calming fresh air.
Arrow leaf balsamroot and other wild flowers! (Pam Willison photo)
Swan Rangers hiked Cyclone Lookout and DNRC lands south of Herron Park in the week ending Saturday, June 20th, 2020!
It was reported on Facebook that Crater Notch Trail is now cleared of blowdown to the top but there is still plenty of snow on the east side of the Swan Crest!
Click here or scroll down to see photos and details!
While the Swan Ranger Saturday group outings remain suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic, we will get a report out each week with items of interest to folks trying to get outside for some "social distancing" and spirit-calming fresh air.
View of Flathead Lake and Valley from Strawberry Lake Trail! (Keith Hammer photo)
Swan Rangers saw some fairly uncommon birds and wildflowers in the week ending Saturday, June 13, 2020!
Click here or scroll down to see photos and details of their Elk Mountain, Crane Mountain, Strawberry Lake, and Krause Basin adventures!
While the Swan Ranger Saturday group outings remain suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic, we will get a report out each week with items of interest to folks trying to get outside for some "social distancing" and spirit-calming fresh air.
Buffalo Lakes with Glacier NP in the background. (Keith Hammer photo)
Swan Rangers found love, snow and lots of wildflowers in the week ending Saturday, June 6, 2020!
Click here or scroll down to see the details and photos showing how elevation, aspect and attitude are everything!
While the Swan Ranger Saturday group outings remain suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic, we will get a report out each week with items of interest to folks trying to get outside for some "social distancing" and spirit-calming fresh air.
North Fork of Krause Creek. (Keith Hammer photo)
Swan Rangers visited Bond Falls, North Krause Creek and the Lubec Hills during the week ending in a hot Saturday, May 30, 2020!
In separate pairs, Keith-Pam and Chris-Fawn hiked to Bond Falls, finding the trail well cleared. Joel hiked the Lubec Hills just east of Marias Pass while Keith bushwhacked a ways up North Krause Creek via the Peters Ridge Road.
Click here or scroll down for more details and photos!
While the Swan Ranger Saturday group outings remain suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic, we will get a report out each week with items of interest to folks trying to get outside for some "social distancing" and spirit-calming fresh air.
"You better not cut this tree!" (Norma Linsky photo)
Among this week's Swan Ranger reports and photos is a bear hugging a tree marked for logging!
Click here or scroll down for more details, Keith and Pam's report on the Hall Lake Trail, Stuart's trip to Spotted Bear, and Joel's stay-at-home bird photography!
While the Swan Ranger Saturday group outings remain suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic, we will get a report out each week with items of interest to folks trying to get outside for some "social distancing" and spirit-calming fresh air.