Sunshine and blue sky in the old burn! (Keith Hammer photos)

Nine Swan Rangers hiked and snowshoed the Switchback Trail to get nice views on a sunny Saturday, November 23, 2013!

They turned around about midway through the area the Forest Service burned years ago to help restore whitebark pine.

This is a good trail to keep in mind with valley fog and inversions in the forecast, as it offers a mid-elevation trail head still reachable by four-wheel-drive, boot hiking to the burn, and great above-fog views while snowshoeing or skiing the burn!

Click here for a map of Switchback Trail #725.

Click here for Flathead National Forest District maps (free as PDFs).

Sun, snow and smiles!

The old burn offers lots of sun and great views, with Mount Aeneas distant right.

Mud, Flathead and Echo Lakes, left to right.

Which Swan Ranger has been hiking barefoot again?

Do you think maybe some bears haven't denned up yet? (FWP reports only about half have so far).

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.

General big game rifle season runs Oct 26 - Dec 1, so it's a good time to wear bright orange while hiking!

Everyone is welcome!