A snack and fun in the sun in upper Krause Basin (Keith Hammer photos unless otherwise noted).

Eleven Swan Rangers sought deeper snow in upper Krause Basin on snowshoes, while three skied excellent groomed trails at the Foothills Ski Area on Saturday, February 2, 2013!

The ski area snow was a bit crispy at first, then warmed nicely, while the afternoon sun brought the snow raining down from the snow laden trees in Krause Basin!

There were pine marten and snowshoe hare tracks galore in Krause Basin. It was simply a splendid sunny day in the Swan Range!

Strawberry Mountain from the turn-around point where avalanche terrain gets serious!

But first you have to get there - and cross North Krause Creek a couple times in the process!

Sun and smiles on the Rangers' faces before they even get off the flat land approach to Krause Basin!

A bit more distant view of Peters Ridge and Krause Basin from the Foothills Ski Area (Joel Vignere photo).

The Rangers may have found the perfect snowy tree in upper Krause Basin, but they'll likely keep looking anyway!

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.

Everyone is welcome!