Swan Range and Swan River in shades of gray! (Keith Hammer photos)
Five Swan Rangers hiked the Bigfork Nature Trail on a rainy Saturday, April 20, 2019!
The Trail runs two miles upstream from Bigfork along the Swan River.
Swan Rangers dripping with enthusiasm!
Hand-laid rock from when this was the southern access to Bigfork, before the bridge at Bigfork and via the Kearney Rapids bridge.
The low-head dam midway along the trail pipes water to electric generators at the power house in Bigfork and blocks the upstream migration of fish . . .
. . . but it does allow for the downstream migration of docks dislodged upstream!
The Rangers came across two snakes along the way: a garter snake . . .
. . . and a bike snake!
Canada geese check out a small island that will soon be under water with spring runoff!
Will this glacier lily flower be open by Easter Sunday?
Will these mountain maple seeds ever fall like their neighbors did?
Why are willow buds called catkins and pussy willows - and why do they grow next to red osier dogwood?
And how can a single rain drop turn the whole world upside down?
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.
BREAKFAST AND DEPARTURE TIMES WILL SHIFT ONE HOUR EARLIER BEGINNING THE FIRST SATURDAY IN MAY!
When hiking in bear country, remember to carry bear spray and avoid the 3-D's: dawn, dusk, and darkness.
Everyone is welcome!