Flathead Lake viewed from Beardance Trail (Joel Vignere photo)
Swan Rangers from across the country reported on everything from wildflowers to snow avalanches in the week ending Saturday, March 25, 2020!
Click here or scroll down to see what they had to show and tell!
While the Swan Ranger Saturday group outings remain suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic, we will try to get a report out most weeks with items of interest to folks trying to get outside for some "social distancing" and spirit-calming fresh air.
Though Montana is slowly "reopening," social distancing guidlines remain in place, appearing to prohibit car pooling to hiking trailheads and reducing the incentive to quickly return to group hiking, even if ten or fewer hikers are "spaced out." Stay tuned.
Joel Vignere reported: "Hiked to top of Bear Dance . . . First third of trail cut out, next third a mess (see photo), beyond Crane Ck trail jnc. quite good. Hardly any snow until near top, and not much there."
Marilyn Wood reported that people have been cutting out the blowdown in Krause Basin and it is hikeable with some remaining snow, saying the Strawberry Lake Road is where the worst uncut blowdown is.
Pam Willison reported her first trillium sighting of the year! She said no blowdown remains on Peters Ridge Road . . .
. . . and there are only a few stretches of snow . . .
. . . to where she turned around at "the overlook!"
Sallie and Alan Gratch spread their greetings from their windows and outdoor balcony in Evanston, IL!
Bob and Kathy Hammer report from Seattle that they simply love the outdoors!
Mary Via sent her husband Skip's photo of arrowleaf balsamroot blooming in the West (Flathead) Valley area!
Meanwhile, Keith Hammer reports that the big glide crack above Peters Ridge slid as a big-time climax (at ground level) avalanche in the warming sun!
Though Montana is slowly "reopening," social distancing guidlines remain in place, appearing to prohibit car pooling to hiking trailheads and reducing the incentive to quickly return to group hiking, even if ten or fewer hikers are "spaced out." Stay tuned.
If you have interesting photos of your socially distant times outdoors, send them along with a description to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and we'll try to work them into these weekly reports!