A view of Wildhorse Island across Flathead Lake! (Keith Hammer photos unless otherwise noted)
Ten Swan Rangers hiked the Beardance Trail on a cool but slightly smokey Saturday, August 5, 2017!
They did find some huckleberries but they aren't there any more!
Click here for information about the Beardance Trail.
There are three black bear tracks in this photo. Can you find the smaller two?
Nature is here using root rot to thin the Douglas fir from around legacy Ponderosa pine trees, simultaneously creating great snag habitats and without spreading weeds via logging equipment and roads!
Pinedrops are very colorful but lack chlorophyll . . .
. . . as do Indian pipe. Both feed off of other fungi or decaying plant matter!
We'd guess this little mushroom is getting its nutrients straight from the rotting log.
Red osier dogwood berries!
Keep your eyes peeled for this single, huge aspen - just above the junction with the Crane Creek Trail!
Psychedelic huckleberry bird poop!
The Rangers saw several garter snakes, but only Pat Jaquith was quick enough to draw a camera in time!
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!