Clayton Lake and Pioneer Ridge viewed from Tongue Mountain (Keith Hammer photos)
Ten Swan Rangers hiked Tongue Mountain on a breezy Saturday, July 27, 2019!
The hike is a tour of the northern part of Jewel Basin with views of mountains, lakes, and wildflowers galore!
Click here for a map of Jewel Basin Hiking Area.
A quick stop in Noisy Creek Notch above Twin Lakes to enjoy plentiful black flies!
A view of Tongue Mountain from Twin Lakes.
On the way to its junction with the Tongue Mountain Trail, Alpine Trail #7 passes through wonderful meadows . . .
. . . and subnivean (under snow) habitats for small critters and their tunnels!
Blackfoot Lake with Mount Aeneas in the distance.
Nestled beneath Mount Aeneas, Black Lake, the Jewel Lakes, and others . . .
. . . feed Graves Creek, seen here where it meanders with beaver dams!
The Flathead Range's Great Northern Mountain and Mount Grant seen over Tongue Mountain wildflowers.
Strong winds snap trees and build snowdrifts along Tongue Mountain, which water the wildflowers well into summer!
Returning to the Flathead Valley through Noisy Creek Notch . . .
. . . to also get a couple telephoto views of the Moss Ranch Fire east of Ronan! View #1 and . . .
. . . View #2.
New boots and new scars, small prices to pay to get away from the cars!
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!