Looking south along the Swan's foothills! (Keith Hammer photos)
Eight Swan Rangers hiked to Patterson Creek on a snowy Saturday, December 1, 2018!
They hiked in via the Peterson Creek Road, which is now gated to motorized vehicles until July 1!
Click here for a map of the Peterson Creek Road and Trail system.
The Rangers in their modest, post-hunter-orange apparel!
With the gate closed to motor vehicles Dec 1 to July 1, it's an extra mile hike to the trailhead . . .
. . . which was like a skating rink!
The Rangers had to share the trail with a grouse . . .
. . . but missed the bear that peeled the bark of this stump so it could lick out the ant galleries hidden beneath!
The Rangers turned around at Patterson Creek, which is not far up the Peterson Creek Trail.
The ponderosa pine are decked out in all their holiday spendor . . .
. . . as are the lowly spotted knapweeds!
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.
Everyone is welcome!