Oh man, that's sweet. Flathead Lake and Somers, MT in particular is my favorite place on earth. In 2009, I did some training in Somers Bay and then did an OW race that finished in Boetcher Park in Polson, but I drove from point to point. Maybe this swim needs to go on my bucket list.
I was wondering what it would take to start a major annual swim - 10 miles (or more) for those who wanted, less for us weaker earthlings.
I expect the 50k swimmer had to get a lot of permits from authorities, as she would have been in nonswimming areas of the lake.
It is a stunningly beautiful lake (so also is L. Coeur d'Alene, which really is in Idaho). I drive up the west side on the way from Spokane to Glacier and take lots of tourist pictures.
Edit: Here is the pdf with info on the August 14, 2010, swim in L. Coeur d'Alene, 2.5k, 5k, 10k. The course picture doesn't suggest a long serene swim exploring the bights, bays, inlets, and headlands of this wondrous lake, but it could be fun if you're local around that time:
www.inlandnwmasters.org/.../CAST_Classic2010.pdf
