Weather brewing! (Pam Willison photo)
Six Swan Rangers skied along the foot of Broken Leg Mountain on a slightly sticky but snowy Saturday, January 11, 2020!
They skied the Bear Creek Road to where it becomes the Peterson Creek Trail and leaves the old roadbed.
Click here for a map of the Bear Creek Road and Peterson Creek Trail.
The Rangers dutifully parked where the Forest Service gate on Bear Creek Road 5398 is supposed to have been closed the end of November to protect big game winter range from the disturbance of motor vehicles. (Keith Hammer photo)
After 1.2 miles of wide road, the boulder closure does a better job of stopping vehicles and the old road gets narrower and more intimate . . . (Keith Hammer photo)
. . . until it becomes almost as narrow as the Peterson Creek Trail that soon branches off of it! (Norma Linsky photo)
It's a good idea to carry a scraper and ski wax for when conditions are warm and sticky . . . (Keith Hammer photo)
. . . and carry a length of heavy logging chain for when conditions are too fast! (Keith Hammer photo)
Of course, the skis can be removed when conditions are a combination of steep, thin and rocky! (Pam Willison photo)
Though there are no roses to stop and smell during winter . . . (Pam Willison photo)
. . . there is always something to check out, like these dried flowers! (Keith Hammer photo)
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 recreating in bear country, remember to carry bear spray and avoid the 3-D's: dawn, dusk, and darkness.
Everyone is welcome!