A view of Flathead Lake from the Crater Notch Trail! (Keith Hammer photos)
Eleven Swan Rangers hiked the Crater Notch Trail on a sunny Saturday, October 10, with half going all the way!
It was windy and cool at the Notch, but downright warm at lower elevations!
Click here for a map of the Crater Notch Trail.
The hike starts on the Echo - Broken Leg Trail and quickly crosses Birch Creek, before forking UPHILL!
Hip deep in red-leafed huckleberry bushes just above the first lunch spot!
Yes, they really are that red this year! Exceptionall Fall!
And they continue until Crater Notch, at right, is staring you in the face!
Last winter's avalanche debris along the trail approaching the Notch!
A view of the "valley side" from the Notch!
A view down the other side, out Aeneas Creek, with the Flathead Range beyond Pioneer Ridge and Hungry Horse Reservoir!
A couple huge old whitebark pine trees stand guard at the Notch, this one from above . . .
. . . and this one from below!
The sun was showing off these turning larch on the hike back down, just in case the Rangers hadn't seen enough Fall colors yet!
The Swan Rangers meet every Saturday at the Echo Lake Cafe for breakfast at 7:30, leaving at 8:30 for a partial day outing in the northern Swan Mountains and foothills.
They carpool from the Swan River School parking lot next to the Cafe.
When hiking in bear country, remember to carry bear spray and avoid the 3-D's: dawn, dusk, and darkness.
Everyone is welcome!