The Swan Rangers are enjoying a succession of wildflowers while hiking in the Swan Range as spring turns to summer.

This informal hiking group, open to all, meets weekly to explore the Swan Range. There's usually an amateur botanist along who can help you identify the colorful bouquet of flowers you're likely to encounter between May and August. Across 4,000 feet of elevation, many species bloom.

Standby favorites include beargrass, penstemen, Indian paintbruss, and if you are lucky, calypso orchid. Of course, you won't want to miss the wonderful aroma of skunk cabbage growing in the wet areas!

The Swan Rangers meet every Saturday morning at the Echo Lake Cafe for breakfast, followed by a partial-day outing of hiking, cross-country skiing or snow-shoeing in the nearby Swan Range, depending on season. The day's destination is decided over breakfast so it suits the abilities of the folks going out that day.

The group is as all-inclusive as possible and is NOT a gung-ho, leave the less-fit and less-skilled behind group! All are welcome.

May 1 - October 31: 7:30 Breakfast and 8:30 Departure
November 1 - April 30: 8:30 Breakfast and 9:30 Departure

For details, visit www.swanrange.org/hiking.htm

Swan View Coalition

Easy

All ages if youngsters accompanied by an adult.

June 13, 2009

June 20, 2009

June 27, 2009

July 11, 2009

July 18, 2009

free