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!
Three Rangers bend over to tie their shoes while a fourth politely covers his cough on the way to Elk Springs!
This old file photo shows what the Rangers wished they'd found along the way!
This bear said he hadn't seen a single huckleberry all day either!
One group of Rangers nonetheless managed to make it to Elk Springs . . .
. . . while others managed to make it to Hall Lake . . . (Harry Haroldson photo)
. . . in spite of a sketchy "bridge" over Groom Creek . . . (Harry Haroldson photo)
. . . that looks pretty sketchy from either side! (Pat Jacquith photo)
Pipsissewa.
The elusive red-stemmed beargrass!
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!