Fall slash burning made for a golden "sucker hole" to the south! (Keith Hammer photos)
Nine Swan Rangers gave up on crawling over abundant downfall on the Echo-Broken Leg Trail on an overcast but pleasant Saturday, November 23, 2019!
They bushwacked downhill to the long-closed DNRC logging road that runs parallel to the trail and had an easier time of it!
The Rangers wanted to see if the Echo - Broken Leg Trail had been cleared since the big wind storms in September and October.
They found the first quarter-mile cleared . . .
. . . but then not so much.
Finding their little Silky saws a bit outgunned . . .
. . . the Rangers bushwacked down to . . .
. . . the DNRC road that runs from Jewel Basin Road to Brosten Lane.
They found a larch tree that still has it needles, sort of . . .
. . . a fallen birch branch with some very interesting lichens attached . . .
. . . a rippled sky . . .
. . . and Birch Creek putting on its holiday decorations!
The bear that left this calling card had apparently paid a visit to someone's unsecured bird feeder!
The Swan Rangers meet every Saturday at the Echo Lake Cafe for breakfast at 8:30, leaving at 9:30 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.
Big game hunting season runs Oct 26 - Dec 1, so wear some bright colors while hiking out there!
Everyone is welcome!