January 20, 2021 Hole Hiking Update
Provided by Karen Daubert
Friends of Bridger-Teton Board member/ active winter trails skier
The Hole Hiking Experience
Gratitude!
Crisp cold air, breezy clouds, delightful visibility, and sunshine! I feel so much gratitude for Winter’s Beauty and to simply be outside, watching my breath curl upwards, feeling my newly sore muscles and listening to the crunch under my skis as I enjoy Nordic adventures – old and new.
It has been a pleasure to read reports of good conditions on both sides of the Tetons and in our own local National Forests. Given the almost unlimited opportunities to explore – on the Bridger Teton and Caribou Targhee National Forests, this year’s dream is to focus on new routes on our public lands and to share these special places via JH Nordic trip reports. There are so many places to visit – and ways to appreciate the efforts of so many to keep these places open, inviting, accessible and public! I am grateful for them all.
Three recent visits to Teton Valley resulted in differing conditions and a lot of fun! Moose Creek up to the bridge and back makes for a lovely half day adventure for canine friends as well as Nordic and back-country skiers. Mike Harris loops are very popular and often include squeals of joy as families play in the snow. And although East Mail Cabin Creek is not for the fainthearted as it is a common route for back-country skiers, the lower section follows the meandering creek amongst a winter wonderland.
Throughout all these adventures, it is difficult not to feel tremendous gratitude for our Nordic Friends and Family. How easy it is to take for granted the daily trail reports, trail write ups, daily grooming, tireless volunteers – and staff – who work so hard on behalf of all Nordic skiers. Thank you for being such a warm and welcoming community!
Jackson Hole Nordic Recreational Masters Clinics
Hosted by Masters Coach Scott Horn and Jackson Hole Ski Club Nordic team coaches, the clinics are back for Season 3! 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. There will be two coaches and 2 small groups per clinic, and plenty of outdoor space to stay socially distanced. Meet local nordic skiers, bring your friends and family. We ask that everyone wear a mask or double buff.
The next clinic is on Thursday Jan 21st for skate skiing.
Check out the link below to register for the clinic as well as to see upcoming clinics throughout the season!
NEW on the Blog:
Teton Valley Trails and Pathways: An Essential Part of Our Winter Recreation Landscape in Teton Valley
For the past 22 years, Teton Valley Trails & Pathways (TVTAP) has worked to promote a trails and pathways connected community. In the summer, they focus on building and maintaining trails on both public and private lands in partnership with the US Forest Service (Caribou-Targhee and Bridger-Teton) and other stakeholders. In the winter, they groom a winter trail system for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, and dog walking. Last year alone, they groomed over 7,000 miles total Nordic ski and fat bike trails and had over 30,000 visits.
“It’s a tremendous community benefit,” said Dan Verbeten, Executive Director at TVTAP. “ Our trails and pathways that we work on serve as a quality of life benefit, a public health benefit, an economic development benefit, and a recreation benefit. It offers all of that to the community.”
Trail Creek Nordic
Last Updated: 1/19
JHSC Nordic in Action!
Peak season is upon us and all of our programs are cranking ahead at full speed. Thanks to Coach Luna for sending images from Soldier Hollow last weekend where Comp, Prep, and Junior skiers put in some blazing times. Thanks also to Coach Libby for the image below from Monday’s Teewinot session, from the Lollipoppers to the Competition team; we are in high gear now!
An almost ultramarine sky dominating at Trail Creek today and temperatures moving into the pleasant skiing range are making for a great day to ski today. Today’s grooming was with the Pisten Bully and covered pretty much every trail. The initial focus of the day was getting all of the National Forest trails caught up that weren’t able to be groomed yesterday. This was followed by best line skate grooming on pretty much all of the rest of the trails. There are some grouser tracks showing through but skate lanes should ski well today and all classic tracks have been reset in the past 36 hours and should work well too.
An update on the race this weekend, while there will be no shuttle and parking could be challenging, spectators will be allowed. Masks will be required and remember to practice covid safety measures, but if you want to watch the final Wyoming High School race of the season you are welcome.
Groomer’s choice for today is the National Forest trails.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Last Updated: 1/19
The school fields and the levee are groomed and will be fast and firm. Stilson will be done around 10:45.
Teton Pines Nordic
Last Updated: 1/14
| Check out the new snow cat for grooming perfection, just arrived this morning! We tested the before and after. The new groomed corduroy was silky smooth, nice and wide…will be a great bonus! Daily grooming, wide corduroy skate ski lanes with well defined classic tracks make for excellent ski conditions. Skate and classic cross country ski/ boots/ pole rentals. . If you want to explore Grand Teton NP and the Jackson Hole area on xc skis, we carry the must have xc ski trail guidebook for our region in the shop: https://www.facebook.com/SkiYellowstone Please call or email Cody for more details: (307) 733-1733 or tetonpinesxc@gmail.com |
Shooting Star
Last Updated: 1/17
Fantastic Nordic conditions should continue through Thursday! Trails will likely remain hard packed with icy sections and ski fast. Weather is calling for light snow on Sunday followed by more cold/dry weather until Friday. Next Update will be on Friday. Enjoy!
Please See the following Restrictions
- Dog Loops & All Nordic Skiing Trails OPEN
- Sled Hill OPEN
- Classic Tracks SET Inconsistent Depths due to Ice
- Snow Shoeing Loop OPEN
- Casual Walking Not Permitted
Grand Teton National Park
Last Updated: 1/19
Blue Bird day in GTNP. Grooming from Taggart Lake Trailhead to South Jenny. Trail conditions are good!
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Last Updated: 1/18
We got another few inches yesterday and throughout the night. So trails will be on the softer side again today. If we get a cold night tonight, tomorrow should be phenomenal skiing! 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: 1/19
XC OPEN (Last groomed 1/17/2021, Fat Bike OPEN.
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: 1/18
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Groomed late Monday night. Skate looks great. I reset the classic track but it is not particularly good.
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: 1/18
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Just enough new snow ( 1”) to freshen the skate track. Classic track is set and, hopefully, firm up tonight.
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Last Updated: 1/18
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
The skate track, classic track, and singletrack have all been re-set. I hope you have a great MLK day and enjoy the ride and glide!
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
Last Updated: 1/18
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Monday: Plan to reset both skate and classic tracks this morning. A bit of new snow should allow both to turn out well, especially skate.
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
Last Updated: 1/18
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
I reset the skate track only on campground loop. The classic track was still in good shape. On yetis I reset the skate and the classic track. Condition should be good tomorrow. Enjoy the glide!
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Springs Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
Last Updated: 1/18
Skate: Set | Classic: Set | Singletrack: Set
Cat groomer groomed Nordic last night. Groomed singletrack this morning. Trails look great!
No dogs allowed.
5th Street Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 1/14
Singletrack: Set
Thurs PM – 5th St. singletrack surprisingly excellent! Aside from a few frozen footprints possibly the fastest it’s ever been! Firm and fast. Clockwise is easier. Multi-lap for a great workout! Enjoy!
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 1/14
Singletrack: Set
Trails are solid and firm with the warmup and cool down yesterday. High winds has shedded some snow from trees and there are limbs and branches across trail. Use caution.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 1/19
Groomed to the Pinnacle summer TH.
JH Nordic Recreational Masters – Skate Ski Clinic
TETON PINES
JANUARY 21st
All welcome (no beginners)
Drop-in $35 (includes clinic & Teton Pines Nordic all day ski pass)
or $30 (if you already have a Teton Pines Nordic pass or membership).
CANCELLED
JH Nordic Alliance Annual Free Nordic Ski, Fat Bike, Snowshoe Event
Based on our goal to Recreate Responsibly, the JH Nordic Alliance has decided to cancel this season’s Annual Free Winter Trails Nordic, Fat Bike and Snowshoe Event. Stay tuned for January 2022! In the meantime, we encourage you to get out safely, responsibly, wear a mask, keep your groups small, and space out!
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
