February 24, 2021 Nature Update
Provided by Cathy Shill, founder of The Hole Hiking Experience https://www.holehike.com
If the doors of perception were cleansed
Everything will appear…as it is, infinite.
-William Blake
It’s been a stormy week with fresh snow and wind. On Tuesday, a storm blew in fast and strong making visibility a challenge closing most valley roads. Current snow level is above average so good for water content and summer flowers. If you happen to be in town or planning a visit in the near future, check out the snow banks and large piles of snow. Snow is now quite deep in Jackson Hole.
As much as we love the deep snow, it means stress for most wildlife. Members of the deer family feed on plants and the season of winter greatly reduces food choices. They slowly lose weight through the winter making March and April vulnerable months.
In deep snow, animals have to use more energy or calories to move. One of our local slogans is “Don’t Poach the Powder” to encourage us to respect wildlife closures. It’s really important so let’s help them survive this tough time of year. For wildlife closures, check out this winter travel map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5403285.pdf.
As you might imagine, winter is the season for predators as their prey becomes weak. Wolves typically hunt elk and Mountain Lions hunt deer. The weaker animals make for an easier meal. It’s balance. It may pull at our heart strings but nature creates balance and balance is needed for a healthy ecosystem.
If you have spent the winter in Jackson Hole, you begin to notice the longer days at this time of year. With March around the corner, change is on the way. Eagles and ravens are paired and spending time near their nests. Wolves mate during February and March. As the days get longer, more changes to come.
March will bring warmer temperatures and it’s a wonderful month to play in the snow. Endless tour options. If stormy, stay close to town. When the sun shines, you can’t beat a tour beneath the majestic Teton peaks. A snowshoe to Taggart Lake or a cross-country ski to Jenny Lake are certainly favorites in Grand Teton Park.
Join our local naturalists to learn about nature and the beauty of Jackson Hole. With spring around the corner, lots of changes to come and wonderful places to share.
The Hole Hiking Experience | www.holehike.com | 307.690.4453
Alert: Aggressive Moose Reported in Upper Cache Creek Monday evening
Courtesy of Linda M.
Recreation, Wilderness Program Manager – Forest Service
We just received a report of a scary incident Monday evening about 5:30 pm with an aggressive cow moose in upper Cache Creek. No one was injured but one person had to dive off the trail into the brush to escape.
This is the second report we have received (the other incident occurred in Granite Creek). If you could post the following message, we would appreciate it
We have received a significant amount of snow over the past couple weeks. As a result, moose are increasingly being reported on roads and groomed trails as they try to avoid the deep snow and the difficulty of navigating steep snowbanks. Moose can behave aggressively towards dogs and people that come too close. Please avoid injury by staying very alert to the presence of moose on trails, recreating during daylight hours when visibility is good, ensuring dogs stay close by your side and leashing them whenever moose are in the area, and giving moose plenty of space.
We are posting signs to alert people to the presence of moose on trails and are working with groomers to create “off-ramps”/”snowbank cuts” that allow moose to get off a trail without feeling trapped.
Trail Creek
Last Updated: 2/24
The Bully is Back!
That’s not an illusion and the image date is today; the Pisten Bully is back in action today at Trail Creek. We’re still running diagnostics as we attempt to figure out why we have been having persistent problems with our final drives, but it’s the tool of choice for grooming once again.. If you want a more detailed maintenance report, don’t hesitate to communicate with the grooming department. However, for most of you reading this report the really good news is that we have some of the best tracks in a while, possibly a “Top Ten Day”!
Almost every trail has received double Pisten Bully passes with fresh classic tracks in the past 36 hours with results being very nice. One additional breaking news item today is that for the first time this season the Boiler section by the end of the Old Pass Road has been groomed so that those of you who prefer the woods will have easier access.
This afternoon looks to be very busy with all teams on deck, but they have lots of places to go so there should be room for everyone.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Last Updated: 2/23
Cache and May are in good shape. You may notice a few random spurs up Cache. The forest service asked for these to try and give users places to let moose pass and encourage moose to get off the trail during an interaction. Just recently there was an aggressive moose incident.
Cache Creek
Last Updated: 2/20
We rolled Cache Hagen Sidewalk and Hagen Highway this evening and will snowshoe the trails near the trailhead this weekend.
Grooming provided by Friends of Pathways.
Teton Pines Nordic
Last Updated: 2/22
| Grooming daily. Excellent snow quality for both classic cross country and skate skiing. On snowy days, we recommend coming out in the morning just after the groomer sets the track for silky smooth skiing. Rentals available. Call us for specific retail questions (307) 699-3394 or tetonpinesxc@gmail.com. Our hours are 9am-4pm daily. |
Shooting Star
Last Updated: 2/23
Today is a great to stay home, wax your skis, and catch up on some laundry. As forecasted in yesterday’s update, our site is experiencing very high winds, zero visibility, and gusts up to 50 mph. Teton County has issued no unnecessary travel to Teton Village due to white out conditions. I would strongly recommend avoiding using the Nordic trails today because of this extreme weather. Trails were groomed this morning, but winds and snow are creating unsafe conditions. This evening at 6pm, as a precursor for prepping the course for tomorrow mornings groom, we will be doing an initial nighttime groom to smooth out todays drifting. Stay Safe today! The weather appears to be more stable on Wednesday.
Teton Village Pathway
Last Updated: 2/17
Teton Village Pathway from Lake Creek Bridge north to just south of the GTNP moose-wilson road south entrance was groomed this morning. Nice for an easy , flat nordic ski, fat bike , or trail run. Or if you’re commuting by ski or bike from Wilson or Jackson!
Groomed by Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and funded by Teton Village Association .
Grand Teton National Park
Last Updated: 2/23
High winds and no visibility means no grooming today. Lee tried to get out there, but it is pointless.
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Last Updated: 2/23
The road from town to Turpin got a lot of attention after yesterday’s storm and as always our trails are freshly groomed in the morning so come on up and have a ski day. Take a midday break with a lunch reservation and sign up for a lesson or tour if you’re looking for some extra fun.
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: 2/24
Cross Country/Fat Bike 15k: XC OPEN (Last groomed 2/20/2021, 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: 2/24
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Picked up where Randy left off from earlier this afternoon, rolling the northern loops. I then hooked up the Ginzu and set classic track and skate. The Ginzu did well leveling and filling in holes. About 1/2” of new fell while I was grooming but was starting to let up when I finished at 2330. Skiing should be good even with new snow on top.
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: 2/24
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Driggs was set Tuesday evening.
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Last Updated: 2/24
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
The wind had its way with the trail. I was pretty well able to knock down the drifts with multiple passes with the drag. The snow is very soft. Think it will take our next round of snow and some colder temperatures to get the trail in great shape. Still get out there and enjoy it.
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
Last Updated: 2/24
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Wednesday: Plan to reset both skate and classic tracks this morning. After a clear, cold night, expect both to turn out well. Should finish by 930am.
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
Last Updated: 2/23
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
I groomed both Yetis and Campground loops Tue evening with a forecasted .6”. Well, It dumped over 4” while I groomed instead. Expect soft conditions Wednesday.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Springs Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
Last Updated: 2/24
Skate: Set | Classic: Set | Singletrack: Not Set
Due to some… ahem, cough cough “mechanical issues”, your humble groomer was unable to commence grooming tonight. A thousand apologies for circumstances outside my control. Hopefully the issue will be resolved very soon.
No dogs allowed.
5th Street Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 2/18
Singletrack: Set
Got the trail packed in and buffed out yesterday afternoon. It will be good till the next round of snow arrives.
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 2/17
Singletrack: Not Set
We are in a storm cycle and trails are very soft due to all the new snow. It needs to stop snowing for a couple days and the temperature needs to drop for the trails to firm up. Till then, consider alternative places to ride, like plowed roads, or machine groomed snowmobile trails. Or, go ski powder!
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 2/17
Groomed to ATV trailhead 2/17
South Leigh Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 2/17
Groomed this morning 2/17
Pinnacle Trail
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 2/17
Groomed 2/16 to the meadows
Nordic Masters Recreational Clinic
TRAIL CREEK NORDIC CENTER | WILSON, WYOMING
THURSDAY, MARCH 4th
Time: 11am -12:30pm – Meet on snow outside the JH Ski Club Nordic cabin.
3 Nordic coaches from the JH Ski Club – 3 small skier groups based on ability. This clinic will focus on classic XC techniques. BYO Mask.
Trail Creek Nordic trail pass is included for the day for Clinic season pass holders and drop-in participants ($35). Stay on and explore the trails after the clinic.
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
