Western hemlock seedlings sprout from a nurse stump. (Keith Hammer photos)

Seven Swan Rangers hiked the hemlock forests of Krause Basin Saturday, November 24.

It was sloppy, slushy and wonderful - including the several bushwhacks involved!

Krause Basin offers a maze of game trails . . .

. . . and wonderful hemlock glades - if you don't mind getting lost once in a while!

Looking down in an old hollow stump.

Don't put your bear spray away just yet! Grizzly bear front foot print.

A unique opening in the hemlock forest: "cottonwood bottom" along Krause Creek!

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!