Argillite boulder rain gauge. (Keith Hammer photo)
Swan Ranger hikes were limited due to wildfire smoke in the week ending Saturday, September 19, but some found the forecast rain on Saturday!
Click here or scroll down for their photos and details!
While the Swan Ranger Saturday group outings remain suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic, we will get a report out each week with items of interest to folks trying to get outside for some "social distancing" and spirit-calming fresh air.
Keith Hammer took photos of his hike with Pam along the old DNRC road from Jewel Basin Road to near Mud Lake. On the way in the above boulder was dry, but it was wet on the way out!
They'd hoped to get rained on and they weren't disappointed!
This torn up old stump minus some of its ants made them wonder if there might be a bear around.
They quit wondering when they saw these good size bear tracks!
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, carry your bear spray, always you must!
They saw a wide array of birch bark in Birch Flats (go figure) but this was their favorite.
Pam wondered if they should knock on this wasp nest to see if anyone would answer the door!
Norma Linsky hiked with Mary in Krause Basin and sent in a couple photos. They too found rain! According to Norma, "They forded streams, moved errant branches in their way, talked nonstop and found their way back."
They made it to the upper end of Cottonwood Bottom, where Krause Creek has taken out a chunk of the old road/trail!
Debra Schweitzer didn't hike due to the wildfire smoke but said she "walked around the neighborhood for several miles." Roger Benson may have topped that with this smoke-joke selfie of his hike on his home property: "Once around the perimeter, quarter mile, 6 feet elevation."
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!