February 10, 2021 Nature Update
provided by Cathy Shill
Founder of The Hole Hiking Experience
www.holehike.com/
“I live not in myself, but I become a portion of all around me…Are not the mountains, waves, and skies a part of me and of my soul, as I am part of them?” – Lord Byron
Windy and snowy this week in Jackson Hole. Storms keep rolling over the mountains with moments of blue sky and nightly stars. Jackson landscape is winter white. It’s always fun to see the mountains on these windy days with the snow billowing from the summits. Looks like more snow is on the way and lots of the month ahead. During February, average snowfall on the upper mountain at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is 70 inches. It can be a wonderful snowy month.
One of my favorite parts of winter is seeing Bald Eagles on a regular basis. Eagles depend on carrion as their main food source at this time of year. Eagles are often seen near town, along the river, by the Elk Refuge and perched on power poles. They are common in the southern part of Jackson Hole as long as they find enough food. When you see groupings of ravens and magpies, a good guess is they are feeding on something dead so eagles may be nearby.
I recently saw an eagle carrying a twig over the Snake River. They are early nesters and will lay eggs sometime between February and April. They do tidy their nest and return each season if a successful nesting sight. You will find nests closer to water since trout is their main summer food. The Yellowstone/Grand Teton area is home to one of the largest eagle populations in the United States so you have a good chance of seeing one!
Mule deer don’t like snow deeper than eight inches so look for them on the hills near town. You can easily see their tracks as they move through the winter landscape. The East Gros Ventre Butte is a favorite territory for the deer and directly above Flat Creek. They the prefer the east and south sides since less snow so right above Broadway Street as you drive through town. Fun to look and observe and hope you see them!
Walking away from the car across the winter landscape can’t be beat as you explore and discover beneath these majestic mountains. Mother Nature thrives in Jackson Hole and we enjoy these mountains each day and feel honored to share some spectacular parts. We take care of all the details. Our motto: make a plan, be prepared, stay within your limits, respect wildlife, and tread lightly. It’s important for all of us as we get the opportunity to travel through this amazing ecosystem! Join us or discover on your own and remember to respect and preserve.
The Hole Hiking Experience | www.holehike.com | 307.690.4453
GTNP Winter Wildlife Closure Update
Grand Teton National Park has provided an update on its winter wildlife closures – see Map, so we ask that you take note and respect these closures, as wildlife need plenty of space to survive these last months of winter.
A reminder: for the Bar BC Ranch non-groomed trail from Taggart trailhead, the Bar BC Ranch itself is in the wildlife closure, as it sits at the river level of the Snake River, a place of wildlife habitat. Please do not venture off the meadow level “bench” down to the Ranch, nor the river level. The closure starts at the gate/top of the lower bench.
For details on the upper meadow level trail, see: Taggart to ABOVE Bar BC Ranch Trail
Trail Creek Nordic
Last Updated: 2/10
Welcome to Lolliland!
A short journey through the enchanted forest towards the East Fields and you’ll find yourself in Lolliland, the JHSC’s solution for providing plenty of wind protected room to play for the littlest ones when in the middle of a pandemic and with all Nordic ski programs filled to capacity. While 3:30-5:00 PM Monday and Wednesday is strictly off limits to non-Lollipoppers, the rest of the week you too can hang out in Lolliland!
What you’ll discover beyond Lolliland today is that all trails have received multiple Ginzu passes as our Pisten Bully is on a hopefully short R & R slow down. The winds are still howling today (expected to continue until Saturday) and therefore classic tracks in the fields are pretty much gone. Woods classic tracks are still in pretty good shape although they are a bit dirty from debris blowing off the trees. Skate lanes are all in all quite fast; dress for the wind and anticipate variable conditions and you can still have a great time at Trail Creek today.
A little news looking forward, the Nordic Carnival scheduled for February 20th has been cancelled. However, the good news is that Teton Valley Trails and Pathways are going ahead with the Alta Vista Freestyle Race on the same date. Click on the link for all the information about what will be an amazing TVTAP event.
Groomer’s choice for today is to check out the wind-blown snow sculptures on your ski today.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Last Updated: 2/10
Game creek and three creek pathway are groomed and in good shape. A reminder for the up and coming storm: Upper Cache creek and Game Creek will not be groomed if the low elevation avalanche danger is rated considerable or above.
Cache creek and May park are groomed and in good shape. Game creek will be done around 11:00.
Teton Pines Nordic
Last Updated: 2/4
| Excellent grooming for both skate and classic . Perfect corduroy, soft enough to good traction, cold enough for great glide. Please call or email Cody for more details: (307) 733-1733 or tetonpinesxc@gmail.com |
Teton Village Trail
Last Updated: 2/1
Teton Village pathway along the Moose-Wilson road was groomed Sunday. Nice snowy packed conditions, good for nordic, fat biking, walking, trail running!
Shooting Star
Last Updated: 2/8
Wind will likely continue to dominate the storyline as another storm cycle is planned to move in on Thursday. We continue to get the trails smooth each morning, but would anticipate that skiing may be more enjoyable with a classic or touring setup if windy conditions exist. Next update will be Thursday 2/11. Enjoy!
Please See the following Restrictions
- Dog Loops & All Nordic Skiing Trails OPEN
- Sled Hill OPEN
- Classic Tracks SET
- Snow Shoeing Loop OPEN
- Casual Walking Not Permitted
Grand Teton National Park
Last Updated: 2/9
The trail is looking good as Brandon grooms from the Taggart Lake Trailhead to Jenny Lake @grandtetonfoundation @jhnordic #gtnpgrooming
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Last Updated: 2/10
Our flat trails took quite a blow from all the wind on Tuesday (pun intended!) so we played trail doctor for a while this morning, however, now the trails look GREAT! Now is a great time to come try our trails in the hills and the trees. (Back 40/Way Back 40/Mule Loop/Riverside) All the trails have firmed up nicely in the wind. Come try our fat bike single track too! (pic above)
To help with social distancing and to get you on the trails faster please purchase your trail passes and sign your waivers online in advance (see link below). As always, remember to recreate responsibly. Bring a mask as it is required to enter the lodge. Lunch and dinner are both by reservation only.
https://www.turpinmeadowranch.com/adventures/winter-adventures/
https://www.turpinmeadowranch.com/the-ranch/live-conditions/
https://www.turpinmeadowranch.com | 307.543.2000, office
Grand Targhee
Last Updated: 2/10
Cross Country/Fat Bike 15k: XC OPEN (Last groomed 2/5/2021, Fat Bike CLOSED.
Trail Etiquette: Please keep your dogs leashed in the parking lot and be sure to clean up after them!
Alta Track
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, & Sunday
Last Updated: 2/8
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Groomed the skate lanes and reset the classic track late Monday night. Tuesday classic and skating will be yummy! Go get it.
Please do not park in the library parking lot. Please be sure to keep your dogs on a leash and to clean up after them.
Driggs
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 2/10
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
Reset the east side this morning. Didn’t have time to tackle the west side, but it is looking good yet.
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Last Updated: 2/10
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Skate and classic track set. Single track/walking set. Get out enjoy the good snow before the next storm.
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
Last Updated: 2/9
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Tuesday afternoon: Made a couple passes over the skate track, should set up well overnight. Classic still in good shape from Monday morning groom.
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
Last Updated: 2/9
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Groomed Campground and Yeti’s loops by cleaning up the skate track on both. I did not reset the classic track as it was in good shape. Enjoy the glide!
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Springs Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
Last Updated: 2/10
Skate: Set | Classic: Set | Singletrack: Not Set
Reset a nice classic track and polished off the fine skate lane left by my cohort, KevE. Track is back to its original width. Should be darn nice skiing before the storm (knock on wood) supposedly arrives…come one, come all!
No dogs allowed.
5th Street Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 1/25
Singletrack: Set
Did a few laps around the park with the sled and tire drag this afternoon. It will be firm and ready for action as soon as the snow sets up a bit.
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 2/9
Singletrack: Set
We rolled hillbender’s, upper Lady slipper, and happy hour and Nemo on Monday. The tree on Nemo has been cleared. I tried to groom Pole Canyon connector but that’s a no go. We will need to do some shoveling to work on that one. Enjoy the ride.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 2/4
Groomed to Pinnacle TH
South Leigh Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 2/8
Groomed 2/8
Pinedale Stampede
WHITE PINE NORDIC SKI TRAILS | PINEDALE, WY
FEBRUARY 27, 2021
6k, 10k, 20k and races. Races will all be mass start, freestyle race. Prizes and giveaways!
We’d love to hear about your outdoor adventures, what your doing to stay healthy, safe, respectful of community health guidelines – send pictures or post on FB and Insta – #JHNordic
