Mountain ash, Echo Lake and Flathead Lake. (Keith Hammer photos)
Ten Swan Rangers hiked to Jewel Basin's Birch Lake on a sunny blue Saturday, September 6, 2014!
The morning began with a rare moment of silence for Jeff, who is moving away after so many months of keeping us in tears and laughter!
Click here for a Jewel Basin map of Birch Lake.
Wow - a scenic trail on a sky blue sunny day!
The view down Birch Creek to Martha Lake and beyond to the Flathead Valley!
The always beautiful Birch Lake sits in a notch through which Kootenai Indians used to pass to hunt buffalo on the eastern plains!
Indeed, the morning began with a memorial to Jeff - "The Decaf Doily Guy!"
A goodbye wave to Jeff and his lovely wife Noreen! Happy trails to you!
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!