Snow on the Swan Crest, with Mt. Aeneas right of center. (Keith Hammer photos)
Eleven Swan Rangers hiked the Foothills Ski Area trails as a warm-up to the ski season on a rainy Saturday, October 8, 2016!
With snow in the high country, it's not too early to visit North Shore Nordic for directions to and maps of the ski area!
Smiling in the rain, just smiling in the rain . . . !
The Rangers went in search of the legendary "Giant Juniper" and found it . . .
. . . though it takes a few tree huggers to put it into perspective!
There's also some big, unidentified mushrooms out there . . .
. . . not to mention some mighty fine Shaggy Manes!
These berries on a twining honeysuckle add a little color to a mountain maple that has already dropped its leaves!
Birch and cottonwood leaves line the banks of Noisy Creek!
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!