December 22, 2021 Nature Update
Provided by Cathy Shill founder of The Hole Hiking Experience
https://www.holehike.com/
Kindness is like snow; it beautifies everything it covers – Kahlil Gibran
Fortunately, Old Man Winter blew into Jackson Hole and left over a foot of snow in the mountains last week with more on the way. What perfect timing for the Solstice on December 21 and start of winter. It is important that valley snow starts to accumulate so the ground becomes insulated against our cold temperatures. Snow is an amazing insulator and we need about 6-8 inches. Snowy forecast also helps prepare us for holiday travelers. Enjoy all the festivities. Here’s a list of events provided by the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce:
https://www.jacksonholechamber.com/events-calendar/holiday-events/
As winter begins, lots of wildlife happenings near town. Flat Creek flowing through the town of Jackson is always a great place to look for winter wildlife. Trumpeter swans seek free moving water and can often be seen flying over town. They move along the creek and other bodies of water in the area. Mallards travel south just enough to find fresh moving water so you will find them along Flat Creek as well. The creek is also frequented by deer and moose. Lots of wildlife near town in the winter. Remember to give them lots of space and minimize disturbance. Winter is long and harsh.
Snow is still thin but more on the way. The R Park is a fun winter excursion. A great place to walk, snowbike, snowshoe or ski as conditions allow. Easily accessible of the Teton Village Road/Highway 390 and you can access the Snake River so distance can be customized to how you feel. Make sure to visit Mama Mia, our local troll, who oversees this area and was created by artist, Thomas Dambo. It’s a wonderful addition and created in association with JH Public Art and the JH Land Trust.
Happy Solstice! As we share nature, we customize the day to client interest and what we have been seeing in the great outdoors. With endless tour options, we choose what is best. The Hole Hiking Experience is Jackson’s original nature company and we have the most tour locations to share.
Hole Hiking Experience | www.holehike.com | 307.690.4453
Teton Adaptive Sports coming to the JHNordic Alliance Annual Free Event
Teton Adaptive Sports’ Director of Mission, Joe Stone, will be bringing his team and his Nordic “sitz-ski” to the JH Nordic Alliance Annual Free Event, and encourages all people with disabilities to attend and connect with TAS. JHNordic skis with Joe each winter, and he is truly amazing athlete, and an active, positive, outgoing community leader.
For more info on Teton Adaptive’s involvement at the JH Nordic Event at Turpin, contact: info@tetonadaptivesports.com. And be sure to register for the Event at JHNordic.com/annualevent/.
Locals-only discount on a Multi-day Yellowstone trip with EcoTour Adventures!
| If you’ve ever wanted to explore the wonderland that is Yellowstone in winter, EcoTour Adventures is offering a special discount for locals only! Two spots opened up on our January 8 Day Winter in Wonderland trip, and we’re offering 50% off the trip price, just for locals! From January 8-15, you’ll enjoy a private sleigh ride in the National Elk Refuge; three days of snowcoach tours through Yellowstone, visiting Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Mammoth Hot Springs; a stay at the Old Faithful Snowlodge; wildlife watching in the Lamar Valley; and a dinner presentation from a Yellowstone wolf biologist for lessons and updates about wolf research in Yellowstone. The original trip price is $5,995 per person, but two locals can join us for $2,997 each! Give our office a call at (307) 690-9533 to learn more and receive this discount. We hope you’ll join us! |
#RecreateResponsibly this Winter
Made in partnership with JH Nordic Alliance and Friends of BT, be sure to look out for this banner at the JH Nordic 5th Annual Free Ski, Fat Bike & Snowshoe Day on January 9th.
Trail Creek
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 12/22
Ominous Sky!
While the morning dawned with blue skies still in view, by late morning the blue had been replaced by a leaden gray as the big storm is heading our way. Looking at the forecast images below, it isn’t often when you have a slate of 100% forecasts like the current National Weather Service forecast is predicting.
While conditions are definitely thin today, before Sunday’s Betty Woolsey Classic Race , snow totals are expected to approach a foot and a half which should make for an awesome race. The above link will take you to a detailed course map, click on this link to go to the registration page.
Today’s grooming focused mainly on the Close Field along with some continued brush work. New classic tracks were placed around the perimeter with multiple Ginzu skate passes as well. The woods trails were mostly untouched in anticipation of the snowfall to come.
Groomer’s choice for today is a nice ski through falling snow this afternoon.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Last Update: 12/21
No trails will be groomed until we get more snow. Cache and Game are too firm for our old snowmobile groomer to make a difference. All other tracks have too shallow of a base to groom. With snow forecasted later this week we will be able to continue to pack our bases.
Cache Creek
Last Update: 12/19
After a lot of shoveling over the last 4 days I got a groomed track on all the trails on the map below. Things are a little thin but the trails should be good to go until we get more snow later in the week.
Teton Pines Nordic
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 12/19
Our track is skiing quite well for both skate and classic even with our low snowfall total. We are grooming daily with the snowmobile/ginzu and plan to begin grooming with the snowcat after we receive a few more inches of snow. This week looks snowy so the snowcat should be out very soon!
We are open to the public 9am-4pm daily (closed on Christmas Day). Please call us in advance to book lessons at: (307) 733-1733. You do not need a reservation for skiing and we don’t take reservations for rentals. During the next two weeks we don’t allow multi-day or off-site rentals.
We still have a shop full of classic skis, skate skis, boots, jackets, pants, gloves, and hats so come on out to pick up last minute gifts for the XC skier on your list. We are looking for part-time help with daily Nordic Instruction over the holidays. Please call Cody for more information (307) 733-1733
Visit our website for pricing and other information: www.tetonpinesnordiccenter.com
Shooting Star
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 12/22
Open daily, light grooming daily, early mornings, conditions are thin, but should improve as this next storm comes in. Currently, only the yellow loop is open, however more trails expected to open this weekend.
Grand Teton National Park
Last Update: 12/21
Not much snow, only about a mile of good groomed and only 2 lanes wide, we need snow. Other GTNP nordic ski alternatives include Moose-Wilson Road starting at Granite Canyon trailhead, plus more untracked/skier tracked trails on JHNordic.com/trails.
Grooming is sponsored by the GTNP Foundation and generous donations from our community.
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Last Update: 12/18
The lodge and restaurant are open. Our ski trails are thin. We’ve laid classic track on the trails with the best conditions – if there are no classic tracks then venture onto the trail at your own risk. Until more snow we will not be able to rent skis but snowshoes and fatbikes are available.
https://www.turpinmeadowranch.com/the-ranch/live-conditions/
https://www.turpinmeadowranch.com | 307.543.2000
Trail Etiquette: Please keep your dogs leashed in the parking lot and be sure to clean up after them!
Grand Targhee
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday
Last Updated: 12/22
Cross Country 15k: XC OPEN
Fat Bike and Snowshoe: Jolly Green Giant and Roundabout OPEN
Targhee’s Nordic trails are groomed Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sat/Sundays. Fat bike/snowshoe trails are groomed regularly but not on a set schedule – the groomer usually waits until after a storm cycle to groom the single track.
Trail day passes are $20 this winter.
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: 12/16
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
Still pretty thin at 3 pm this afternoon when I groomed the library loop and in and out. More snow is needed to expand the grooming into the tilled fields. This new snow will help, but it is going to take significant depth of snow to not have dirt showing. Hopefully this storm will allow grooming equipment to start the smoothing and packing process. That being said, what is groomed is great for the little ones to get out on snow and have fun!
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: 12/15
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
Caution – Very thin snowpack. Many hazards exist! Just finished rolling out the 5” of snow on the Driggs track to stare establishing a base. We need more snow to hide all the rocks, grass and twigs. I’d recommend walking along the edges of the groom, or use your rock skis with caution. LET IT SNOW!
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 12/20
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
Unfortunately we need more snow before we can groom the park again.🤞🏼 For more winter snow.
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Last Updated: 12/22
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Wednesday: Five days of temperatures around 32 degrees, and no precipitation, has set track up quite firm. Classic was last reset on Sunday and is in fair shape. Again this morning, I’ll refresh skate track and expect fast skiing. Coverage is good except thin areas at culverts and cattle guards.
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday & Sunday
Not yet open, grooming coming soon
Last Updated: 12/21
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
We’re in a holding pattern until we get a little more snow before the next groom. The skate and classic track were last set on Saturday.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Reserve Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Thursday & Saturday
Not yet open, grooming coming soon
Last Updated: 12/13
It’s good to see some snow on the ground, but we need quite a bit more before grooming around the golf course. It won’t be long!
No dogs allowed.
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/19
Singletrack: Set
Happy hour, Hillbender, powerline to the summit and Nemo all got a double or triple pass tonight. It should set up well as it supposed to be quite cold this evening. ⚠️ Heads up, there is a downed aspen tree on the northern most hillbender. Enjoy the ride.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/15
CLOSED TO WHEELED MOTORIZED TRAVEL. Groomed 12/15 to summer TH
Rammell Mountain Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/15
Grooming coming soon
The USFS is continuing to monitor snow levels on our roads and will close them to wheeled motorized vehicles when there is enough snow to groom
South Leigh Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/16
Grooming coming soon
Groomed 12/16. South Leigh is now closed to wheeled motorized vehicles for the winter.
JH Nordic Masters Classic & Skate Ski Clinics
TODAY! FIRST CLASSIC SKI CLINIC THURSDAY DECEMBER 23, 2021
11am – 12:30pm
Teton Pines Nordic Center
Hosted by Scott Horn and JH Ski Club Nordic Team Coaches
There will be 10 clinics running every Thursday in January and February from 11am-12:30pm. The Nordic Masters clinics will focus on skate ski and classic cross country skiing every other week.
Joining all 10 clinics is your best approach to developing your full Nordic skiing technique, balance, stride, stamina, and overall fitness while having fun in a small group. For those who only wish to focus on one technique, we are offering a Skate Ski Clinic series of 5 clinics or a Classic Cross country series of 5 clinics.
Betty Woolsey Classic 2021
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26
10am start
Trail Creek Nordic Center
Come work off your Christmas feast in style! This community event offers distances for every age and ability. 10 AM start time with 30 second interval start format. Racers can choose from 0.5k, 3k, 5k, and 10k options. There will be no laps or repeating loops to minimize racer overlap.
DO NOT COME to Trail Creek if you or a member of your household is feeling sick. Masks must be worn whenever 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained while not actively racing, and at all times when around the Cabin area.
Visiting racers, please complete the online Acknowledgement of Risk
JHNordic 5th Annual Free Ski, Fat Bike, & Snowshoe Day at Turpin Meadow Ranch
SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY, JANUARY 9TH, 2022
Turpin Meadow Ranch – 1 hr north of Jackson- Buffalo Valley Road (off Hwy 287/26)
Parking onsite/carpooling encouraged.
Fun, Free Community Day – with Raffle benefiting a local Nordic Alliance non-profit:
Free trail pass and demo gear, though it is encouraged that folks bring their own equipment to maximize time on the snow!
Family, friends, visitors, dogs (on leash) welcome: please register in advance to secure your spot!
Sponsored by the JH Nordic Alliance members
Email : Info@JHNordic.com for more info
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
