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.
Bond Lake! (Keith Hammer photos)
Thirteen Swan Rangers hiked to Bond Lake on a sunny Saturday, September 16, 2017!
Fall was in the air and a bit of snow in the high country!
Click here for a map of the Bond Creek Trail.
When the distance is obscured by smoke, focus on things close-up, like this beautiful salsify seedhead! (Keith Hammer photos)
Five Swan Rangers hiked in Krause Basin on a smokey Saturday, September 9, 2017!
They brushed back some of the main and north fork trail in anticipation of winter skiing, while hoping for rain and/or snow to end the long fire season!
Click here to learn more about Swan Rangers in Service.
Huckleberry Bandit! (Keith Hammer photos)
Eleven Swan Rangers hiked to Black and Jewel Lakes on a somewhat smokey Saturday, September 2, 2017!
They had a chat about Bob Marshall's epic 1928 hike through Jewel Basin and the Wilderness that now bears his name!
Click here for a map of the Jewel Basin Hiking Area!
The Rangers come to a fork in the trail! (Pat Jaquith photos)
Six Swan Rangers hiked a loop in Jewel Basin on a clear Saturday, August 26, 2017!
They went up through Picnic Notch, along Alpine Trail #7 above Jewel Lakes, then back around via Noisy Notch!
Click here for a map of the Jewel Basin Hiking Area.
Above the smoke at 7,400 feet! (Keith Hammer photos)
Eight Swan Rangers hiked Sixmile Peak on a breezy Saturday, August 19, 2017!
They climbed above the valley smoke for outstanding 360-degree views!
Click here for a map of the Sixmile Trail.
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!