Trail Overview
This North Swan Road trail begins at the Middle Fork of Swan River trail and meanders through the White River National Forest, gradually gaining elevation. It is a bumpy trail that follows the river, starting at 10,500 feet of elevation and climbing to 11,500 feet at the end of the trail. The out-and-back trail is typically wide enough for one vehicle with scattered opportunities to pass oncoming vehicles. Throughout the trail, there are loose boulders, rock gardens, ruts, and mud holes with hard bottoms. Scattered along the length of the trail are mining artifacts dating back to the 1890s through the 1930s; there is evidence of dwellings, boilers, mine equipment, and tailings piles. At the end of the trail, the elevation is at the timberline and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The trail is typically open from May 21 until November 22.
Difficulty
This trail has a seemingly continuous offering of mild obstacles. Ranging from loose boulders, rock gardens, mud holes, ruts and wash; every turn presents a new challange. The road is typically one vehicle wide with a scattered opportunities to pass oncoming vehicles.
History
In 1880, Danial Patrick discovered rich ore along the North Fork of the Swan River. Shortly after, the mine known as the Rochester Queen produced gold, silver, and Galena lead ore before being abandoned in the early 1900's. Evidence of this rich mining past is visible along the trail.
