Lunch on the boulder pile that gives birth to Elk Springs! (Keith Hammer photos)

Fourteen Swan Rangers hiked to Elk Springs on Saturday, May 25, seeing tracks of grizzly bear in this week's fresh snow!

It was a sunny but cool day in the higher elevation breezes.

Only a bit of this week's snow remains below Elk Springs on Broken Leg Mountain.

This boulder pile and scree slope gives birth not only to Elk Springs, but to stunning views of the Swan River, Ferndale and Flathead Lake!

Maybe the bears were up there checking out . . .

. . . huckleberry blossoms in the snow? Never hurts to plan ahead!

Mountain lover, of the genus Pachistima. Easy to remember as "Pa kissed Ma!" (Also known as boxwoods).

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!