Hole Hiking Nature Update
Provided by Cathy Shill
www.holehike.com
307.690.4453
“Hello, sun in my face. Hello
you who made the morning
and spread it over the fields…
Watch now, how I start the day in happiness,
In kindness.”
-Mary Oliver
Recent 40-degree temperatures felt a bit like spring. It has not been our usual snowy February. The hills around town are now brown and snow is melting throughout the valley. Current Teton snowpack is 75% of average. Fortunately, we received a foot of snow Sunday night and an arctic front has now settled over the valley. Another month of winter and I hope for a snowy one.
Over the weekend, I took my dog for a walk-up Cache Creek. The trailhead is right outside of Jackson with many fun tour options. You can walk, ski, or snow bike up and down the drainage. The Hagen trail is south of the road and easy to access. The area is groomed and a nice place to explore. Birds were active. I saw a Clark’s Nutcracker, Chickadees, and Ravens. I heard both a nuthatch and jay call. Peaceful and nice. Moose do frequent the area so stay observant.
A winter highlight is the large herd of elk near the town of Jackson. The National Elk Refuge is 25,000 acres and adjacent to town. Each winter thousands of elk come to the feed ground for supplemental feed. Biologists monitor the vegetation and begin to feed the elk alfalfa pellets when forage becomes limited. This year, feeding began on February 7, 2022. The most recent biological update reports 7,200 elk, 120 bison, and 45 bighorn sheep. Wolves were seen last week. The refuge is about ¼ of the historical winter range for the Jackson herd so an important part of their winter survival. You can observe the refuge from a variety of pullouts or take the winter sleigh ride (add link to winter sleigh ride) https://www.nersleighrides.com/.
Enjoy the longer days and change in light. March begins next week so more signs of spring to come. Our expert naturalists make the most of a visit with time on the trail to look for wildlife, track, discover and explore. Can’t be beat! Client photo is a couple that joined us in 2014, 2016 and again this winter. Guide, Beverly, is in the blue coat. Each tour day is new and different! Join us! www.holehike.com 307.690.4453
Join us at Winter Trails Day this weekend! JHNordic’s Nancy Leon will be at Emily’s Pond Saturday, so feel free to come by and demo some skis froom Skinny Skis or take a fat bike ride from Teton Mtn Bike Tours!
Provide your input with the JH Travel and Tourism Resident Sentiment Survey. Tourism is important to our economy, and JH Travel and Tourism Board is refocusing how we manage it so we can protect the environment, enhance residents’ quality of life, and maintain a sustainable local economy.
TODAY! LAST JH Nordic Masters Skate Ski Clinic
SKATE SKI CLINIC at TRAIL CREEK NORDIC
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022
11am – 12:30pm
Hosted by Scott Horn and JH Ski Club Nordic Team Coaches
Don’t miss the last clinic of the season! This skate ski clinic will focus on developing your technique, balance, stride, stamina, and overall fitness. All levels (except first time beginner) welcome. See you there!
Trail Creek
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 2/22
Snowy Cabin Edition!
While the snow has seemed pretty sparse as of late, looking at the images from the past years shows that according to the roof of the snowy cabin on Homesite, the December snows did give us a respectable base this year. Scientific analysis by the grooming department would put 2022 at the top of the bottom half of the past 11 years. Plenty of snow for some great skiing!
As for today, the Husky was once called to duty. In the woods about 30% of the trails received fresh classic tracks with the remainder mostly being pretty nice. Multiple passes were made on Outward and Homeward Bound and Black Hole. The fields received mostly skate grooming today with some touch up of classic tracks in the close field. An early morning skier was having fun but reported that the cold temps were making the snow a bit slow.
Speaking of cold temps, one of our regulars, while skiing the new loop off of Armin’s, where quite often cold air tends to pool, suggested the name Cryoloops. Sounds rather fitting, any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Groomer’s choice for today is to check out the snowy cabin on Homesite.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Grooming Monday-Saturday
Last Update: 2/23
Thursday Grooming Schedule: High School Fields, Emily’s Pond Levee, Wilson Centennial Pathway
Cache Creek Fat Bike Trails
Last Update: 2/22
I groomed the trails in Cache last night and will take another lap this afternoon to firm things up and will snowshoe the smaller trails on Wednesday. That way everything should be in good shape for Winter Trails Day this Saturday!
Grooming by Friends of Pathways.
Teton Pines Nordic
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 2/18
Our trails continue to be in great shape despite the warm weather we’ve recently had. Our snowpack is holding steady right now and we are hoping the snow arrives late this weekend for a nice refresh. Skate skiing is off the charts and classic is good, but it will be better once we get this new snow! The classic track conditions are perfect for your skin skis but we are really hoping to get back to some Blue Extra conditions next week!
We groom 13km+ daily for both skate and classic with our new snowcat.
Our trails and shop are fully open to the public 9am-4pm daily. Day passes, 10 punch cards, and season passes are available at the shop.
Please call us in advance to book lessons at: (307) 733-1733. You do not need a reservation for skiing and we do not take reservations for rentals. Please contact us in advance to check availability for off-site rentals.
We still have a limited selection of skate skis, a few classic track and BC skis, boots, poles, jackets, pants, gloves, and hats. We also have a good selection of used skate gear available. Call or come by to see if we have your sizes! We have a full tuning shop so drop off your skis for a wax done by our great wax techs! Visit our website for pricing and other information: www.tetonpinesnordiccenter.com
Shooting Star
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 2/21
Overnight 2” of new snow fell and was a welcomed change to soften the block of ice we’ve been grooming over the recent weeks. The trails are in great shape and should ski well through Friday. Please, be aware that some light drifting will likely occur throughout each day, especially Monday & Tues as an artic front will push through bringing substantially colder temperatures for most of the week. Stay warm and enjoy! Next Update will be Friday (2/25).
TRAIL STATUS
- YELLOW LOOP OPEN
- SLED HILL GROOMED on 2/21 (Grooming will occur as needed)
- CLASSIC TRACKS SET
- SNOWSHOEING OPEN (BLUE LOOP ONLY, STAY ON THE EDGE OF THE TRAIL OR IMMEDIATELY NEXT TO TRAIL)
- ORANGE LOOP OPEN
- WALKING, NOT ALLOWED
Snake River Sporting Club
Daily Nordic grooming for both “Front Nine” (south side) and “Back Nine” (North side) Nordic Trails
Public access to the groomed Nordic trails is $50 per person per day, with no season passes available. Ski rentals are available at the Sports Shop. Guests must check in at the Sports Shop to sign a waiver and make payment before heading out. The daily pass does not allow access to the Restaurant this season. The clinics that are being offered are for members and lodging guests only.
Please call the Sports Shop with any questions you may have at 307-200-3093
Grand Teton National Park
Last Update: 2/22
GTNP – Taggart to Signal today.
Grooming is sponsored by the GTNP Foundation and generous donations from our community.
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 2/23
It was a quiet day at the ranch on Wednesday though the pisten bully was out in the afternoon dealing with the drifts in the flats and the trail came out beautiful. The ginzu made a pass on the skate lane in the lower pasture and way back 40. The mule loop was neglected as there was not enough traffic on it to warrant grooming. All of the fat bike trails were groomed on Wednesday as well.
Please sign acknowledgment of risk forms and pay for trail passes online ahead of your visit. Call the front office (307) 543-2000 ahead of your visit for booking equipment rentals and Nordic adventures (lessons and tours).
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: 2/23
Cross Country 15k: XC OPEN
Fat Bike Trails : Open
Snowshoe Trails: 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: 2/22
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Skate track will be a little soft and slow because of the cold snow. Should be perfect green-blue wax classic skiing.
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: 2/23
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
It’s cold out and the snow is funky after wind and the frost. It’s all been rolled and in ok condition. Sun might be good for it!
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 2/23
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Reclaimed both the single/walking track and the full Nordic track. Used multiple passes with the Ginny to knock down wind drifts and flattened trail. Came out pretty good! Both the classic track and skating will be soft but it’s a beautiful day… Enjoy
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Last Updated: 2/22
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Reset both skate and classic tracks late Tuesday afternoon. Both turned out very well. Unfortunately, on my last pass out, two snow machines rode up middle of the track. You win some, you lose some.
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday & Sunday
Last Updated: 2/22
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
Tuesday afternoon I finished grooming and was able to reset the skate track on yeti‘s and campground loops. I was not able to set the classic track. Enjoy the glide
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Reserve Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Thursday & Saturday
Last Updated: 2/21
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Lots of new snow to pack. set full width skate lane and a classic track this morning. expect soft surface
No dogs allowed.
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 2/14
Singletrack: Set
I was able to drag and fill in some ruts and post holes on upper and lower lady slipper. All the other trails are in fine shape. Enjoy the ride.
Happy Hour (aka Mike Harris to ID/WY state line)
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 2/18
Groomed to summer TH 2/16
Rammell Mountain Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 2/10
Groomed 1/14
South Leigh Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 2/18
Groomed 2/16
TODAY! LAST JH Nordic Masters Skate Ski Clinic
SKATE SKI CLINIC at TRAIL CREEK NORDIC
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022
11am – 12:30pm
Hosted by Scott Horn and JH Ski Club Nordic Team Coaches
Don’t miss the last clinic of the season! This skate ski clinic will focus on developing your technique, balance, stride, stamina, and overall fitness. All levels (except first time beginner) welcome. See you there!
WYLD Times at R Park, Hosted by JH Land Trust
Saturday, March 5th
Rendezvous Park | 3 – 5 pm
On Saturday, March 5 from 3-5 pm the Jackson Hole Land Trust (JHLT) will host WYLD Times at R Park. You are invited to enjoy this free, winter festival to kick off the JHLT’s new WYLD membership initiative. WYLD members fuel free community conservation programming that enriches the livability of this valley and invites accessible open space experiences for all.
WYLD Times at R Park will feature several activity stations with something for everyone. You can take a fat tire bike for a spin courtesy of The Hub Bicycles and brush up on avalanche rescue skills and backcountry preparedness with Teton County Search and Rescue. Kids (or those young at heart) can learn about nature with the JHLT’s Discovery Boxes and sled R Park’s iconic knolls. All activities are free, and you are invited to join WYLD for fun extras like hot cocoa, beer, and custom donuts from Provisions. Don’t have avalanche safety gear to practice with? You can join WYLD for a chance to win an ARVA Evo 4 Combo Kit, including a beacon, probe, and snow shovel!
Become a WYLD member by visiting jhlandtrust.org/wyld today. Attendees who join the WYLD membership program before or during the March 5 WYLD Times at R Park event will be entered into the giveaway to win the ARVA Evo 4 Combo Kit, including a beacon, probe, and snow shovel.
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
