December 7, 2022 Nature Update
Provided by Cathy Shill founder of The Hole Hiking Experience
https://www.holehike.com/
It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end.” -Ursula LeGuin
Snowy weather continues and during this past week, about 30 inches of new mountain snow. Some clear skies ahead so the town of Jackson and road crews will do their best to move snow piles to prepare for the next storm cycle. If this weather trend continues, we could receive ALOT of snow this winter which puts pressure on all the crews.
Animals are reacting to this snowy start of the season. Last year about 500 elk were on the National Elk Refuge in early December and this year, numbers are closer to 4000. As snow falls and stormy weather begins, animals move to lower elevations to find a suitable habitat.
Animals sense weather changes. Being a guide, I watched a squirrel midden (territory) for years while hiking in the fall. The number of stored cones always mirrored the severity of the upcoming winter. Elk have the ability to sense changes in barometric pressure so they know to move prior to big storms. As they travel, they look for a territory that offers prime food and the feeding grounds in our valley are a preferred spot.
Short, cold days ahead so make sure to be prepared for your excursion. Teton County Search and Rescue has an app that you can load on your smartphone to call for help if needed. It is called Backcountry SOS (https://www.backcountrysos.com/ ) and a great tool to have. Remember to always tell someone where you are going and stick to your plan. Make sure your pack has the essentials- water, food, headlamp with good batteries, sunglasses, first aid kit, extra layers, matches, fire starter, cell phone, hand warmers and a map. Plan properly to ensure a successful, fun adventure.
A great start to the season with lots of happy clients. Join us on the trail! www.holehike.com 307.690.4453
Registration for the 2022 Betty Classic is now open!
Please click THIS LINK to directly register for the race. The races kick off at 10 AM on 12/26. Everybody is welcome to come out to Trail Creek to be a part of the nordic community and participate in a fun event.
This community event offers distances for every age and ability in a mass start classic format. There will be 10k, 5k, 3k, and 0.5k options available for everyone. All event details and times can be found HERE on the event website.
This event commemorates Betty Woolsey, a ski racing olympian and the founder of Trail Creek Ranch. During her lifetime Betty Woolsey pioneered backcountry skiing on Teton Pass, opened Trail Creek to nordic skiing for JHSC in 1967, and helped the JHSC nordic and biathlon programs get off the ground.
Meet Charlie Von Maur-Newcomb, of the Junior Nordic team!
When I asked him how he got started in Nordic, Charlie shared that his parents rented ski packages from Skinny Skis for him when he was younger, and he started skiing around in their yard. Like many in our valley, he learned to love the sport from an early age in a fairly informal setting; pretty soon, though, his parents decided to sign him up for the JHSC Nordic Program. (His brother Bowen is in the program, too, and his dad, Mark, coaches!)
Fast forward to the present, and Charlie is a leading member of the Junior Nordic Hybrid team, in which select participants train one extra day every week, with the Prep/Comp teams. Charlie has been working hard through Summer and Fall, and last weekend in Sun Valley, he placed 2nd in the U14 3k classic mass start and won the U14 skate individual start distance!
Trail Creek
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 12/14
Making Progress!
The image above is from early this morning (after the Ginzu did make a pass through almost all of the trails) of a borrowed Husky coming down to the cabin. After grooming the missing sections of the rescue trail from the road to where our Husky was sitting, the image below shows the two Huskys hooked together and ready to begin the journey to the road.
All in all things went well, although there were a few hiccups along the way; about three hours later our Husky was sitting on the trailer in the image below. As of report time our Husky was on its way to the closest certified Mercedes dealer in Rock Springs. A more detailed account can be found on the Trail Creek webpage. As soon as we have more information we will pass it on, we are hoping to have a snow cat on the snow as soon as possible, thanks to all for being supportive through this unfortunate twist of fate. If anyone would like a more detailed account of the exact nature of the situation, don’t hesitate to email.
Ginzu grooming will continue tomorrow, mostly sunny skies with a bit of light snow should allow the Ginzu to do a good job keeping on top of things.
Groomer’s choice for today is a speedy return to duty of our Husky.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Grooming Today: Emily’s Pond Levee, High School Fields
Last Update: 12/14
Game creek and three creek pathway are groomed and in good shape.
Cache creek and May park are groomed and in good shape. The full loop is opened up at May park also.
Cache Creek Singletrack
Groomed by Friends of Pathways
Grooming Schedule: As Needed
Last Update: 12/14
12/14: Cache Creek Road Groomed
12/12: I smoothed all the trails out in Cache last night so they would be good for the week. Here are some suggestions for exploring the groomed trails:
Bikers – Go up Hagen Highway and down lower Ferrins, both the Lloyd’s Cut and Sink or Swim connectors are groomed for a shorter or longer loop option.
Hikers – Check out the Sidewalk trail near the trailhead, I am trying to keep the first 3 entrances groomed for short dog walking loops.
Skiers – Explore off of the Cache Road over to Hagen, all of the connectors at bridges 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are groomed.
Teton Pines Nordic
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 12/12
We are open daily to the public for skiing. Click here for our current trails grooming and conditions: https://nordic-pulse.com/ski-areas/US/WY/Teton-Pines-Nordic-Center We offer private lessons daily, skate and classic ski rental packages, and bc xc rentals for the park. We are open 9am-4pm. Please call to book lessons and with any other questions.
Note—We have a new shop phone number this season: (307) 732-4130
Shooting Star
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 12/12
Look for more snow and breezy conditions through Tuesday, followed by calm and potentially very cold weather through Friday. Skiers might expect some light drifting late Tuesday, but otherwise conditions should continue to be very enjoyable for Mid December. Bundle up and enjoy!
Next update 12/15.
Ongoing Trail Notes
- No Walking Allowed
- Early Season Conditions Exists (Thin/Bare Spots)
Grand Teton National Park
Last Update: 12/13
After some technical difficulties this morning grooming commenced about an hour later than usual from Taggart to Signal.
Granite canyon Moose-Wilson road closed until Dec 16th
The portion of the Moose-Wilson Road, south of Death Canyon junction and including Granite Canyon Trailhead, remains closed due to construction activities. The road and trailhead will open to over-snow winter recreation December 16. The northern section of the Moose-Wilson Road remains open.
Please support TVTAP winter trail grooming on your favorite TV winter trails by purchasing a TVTAP Trail sticker Please remember to manage your dogs and respect dog and wildlife closures. Buy a dog trail sticker, too!
Grand Targhee
Grooming Schedule: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
Last Updated: 12/14
Classic Track: Not Set | Fat Bike Trails: Open | Snowshoe Trails: Open
Nordic Groomed 12/13, Fat Bike Groomed 12/3.
Expect light flurries and great skiing today through Saturday as colder temperatures move in from the north. High temperatures reaching the mid twenties and lows reaching single digits.
Remember, singletracks will be closed when there is more than 3 inches of snow in a 24 hour period.
Alta Track
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, & Sunday
Last Updated: 12/13
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Afternoon training run. Things are looking great!
Driggs
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 12/13
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Reset skate and classic. Still a bit soft, but should ski well after it is sets up overnight.
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 12/14
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
Took three passes Wednesday morning. Tricky light, but the track set up nicely. It was lightly snowing, so I suspect the track will have 1 cm of fluff on top. Groomers choice – the Northern loop
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Last Updated: 12/14
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Wednesday: Plan to smooth out the skate track this morning. Classic was set yesterday, so will leave alone unless enough snow has fallen overnight to allow for good reset. Should be finished by 9am.
Trail Etiquette: Please keep your dogs leashed in the parking lot and be sure to clean up after them!
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday & Sunday
Last Updated: 12/13
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Set classic and skate on Yeti and Campground. Will be a little soft but should ski nicely. Enjoy!
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Reserve Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Thursday & Saturday
Last Updated: 12/13
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Tuesday morning I reset the skate and classic track. I was able to smooth out a few of the big wind drifts too. Enjoy the glide.
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/13
Singletrack: Set
Groomed powerline Mike Harris to Teton Springs plus the Sherman Springs access Road. Lady slipper was last groomed on December 8 with three passes. All other trails have fresh new snow and are rider packed. Currently trails are quite soft. If you must walk, please walk to the side of the trail. Enjoy the ride.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Groomed by USFS
Last Updated: 12/14
Darby is good to go!
South Leigh Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Groomed by USFS
Last Updated: 12/13
Groomed 12/13. Enjoy.
Mark your calendar so you don’t miss out on all the wonderful events coming up! Explore the highlighted events below or find more events on our website at https://jhnordic.com/events/
First Nordic Masters Clinic Today!
Thursdays – from Mid December to late February
First Clinic (Classic) – Thursday, December 15
First two clinics at Teton Pines Nordic Center
UPDATE: December 22nd clinic is full and they will not be taking drop ins.
Join us this winter season to increase your ski speed, stamina, and strength. Work on your technique and form with professional tips and exercises from USSA certified coaches. Stay and ski all day with your clinic ski pass at Teton Pines Nordic Center or Trail Creek Nordic Center (we will ski at both locations through out the winter to provide a variety of terrain and technique).
Betty Woolsey Classic Race
December 26, 2022
Trail Creek Nordic Center
Registration now Open!
Come work off your Christmas feast in style! This community event offers distances for every age and ability, 10 AM start time with a mass start classic format.
Racers can choose from 0.5k, 3k, 5k, and 10k options.
JH Nordic Alliance 5th Annual Free Ski, Fat Bike, & Snowshoe Day
Sunday, January 8th, 2023 | 9:30AM – 3:00PM
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Fun, Free Community Day – with Raffle benefiting local Nordic Alliance non-profit. Free trail pass, Free skate & classic XC ski demo gear, Free fat bike demos, free Nordic ski lessons, Free BackCountry Nordic Ski & Snowshoe tours, Kids Corral (2-5 yr olds), Bridger-Teton USFS wildlife and wilderness info, Kates Bars, Lunch, snacks, hot & cold drinks.
Sponsored by the JH Nordic Alliance members. Family. Friends, visitors, dogs (on leash) welcome. Bring your own skis and bikes recommended to use between free demos and tours.
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
