Topping Tongue Mountain's ridge, with Great Northern and the Flathead Range in the distance! (Susan Brueggeman photos)
Twelve Swan Rangers hiked to Clayton Lake on a wonderful Saturday, July 2, 2016!
There's still plenty of snow to be found in Jewel Basin Hiking Area!
Click here for a map of Jewel Basin.
Clayton Lake; in the break between Tongue Mountain, right, and Pioneer Ridge, left.
The Rangers pause on the west side of the Swan Crest before hiking through the notch to the east side . . .
. . . where there is still plenty of snow!
Twin Lakes are ice-free, but surrounded by snow.
Where the snow is gone, however, wildflowers are full on! Here, looking at Mt. Aeneas from Tongue Mountain.
Pasque flower.
Wild columbine.
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!