Toasting our 400th Swan Ranger outing! (Keith Hammer photos)

Sixteen Swan Rangers celebrated their 400th outing on Lunch Rock up Wolf Creek Canyon on Saturday, July 27, 2013!

They toasted the occassion with sparkling apple juice and Pam's excellent Morning Glory muffins!

The first Swan Ranger outing was November 12, 2005. Since then, 398 different folks have participated and group size has averaged 9 people.

The Rangers have also contributed 328 hours of volunteer trail maintenance while out wandering around the Swan Range!

The 400th outing was up the old Bear Creek Road and trail to Wolf Creek, then up Echo - Broken Leg Trail to Elk Spring and down the ridge, making a nice shady loop on the northern slopes of Broken Leg Mountain!

A slightly testy crossing of Wolf Creek.

This spruce tree continues to slowly swallow the Wolf Creek crossing sign!

Sparkling apple juice and Pam's delicious Morning Glory muffins!

Lunch Rock offers a view of the Flathead Valley down Wolf Creek Canyon!

"If you go down to the woods today . . . !" Huckleberry-laden bear scat on the trail.

Here's to another several hundred fun and safe outings in the wonderful Swan Range!

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!