Trip Report: Cache Creek to Noker Mine Draw
If you have never skied all the way up to the end of the groomed trail in Cache Creek, Monday is the one day per week that the groomer makes the full 9.2 mile round trip (840 ft vertical rise) to Noker Mine Draw. Monday’s have a locally based grooming service, Bushong Services , who work with TC/J Parks & Recreation Dept to cover this longer groom. Bushong Services are well known to local Nordic skiers for their grooming in GTNP, as well as at a number of home subdivisions.
We had the good fun and fortune to classic ski with a Bridger Teton USFS volunteer trail ambassador. We love the multi-use /share the trail aspect of Cache Creek, and encountered a number of happy fat bikers , walkers with dogs, trail runners, skate and classic cross country skiers, enjoying the sunny stretches of trail and bundling up in the still mid-winter shady spots. We even picked up a few forgotten dog poop bags, and spotted a quietly browsing moose, whom you would have missed in the tree shadows had we not been alerted by there trailhead user sign. Plenty of room to share the trail with everyone in this beautiful wilderness corridor. Remember to keep your dog on leash in the parking lot and for the first 300 yards -and be respectful of wildlife!
Share Your Adventure
Masters Nordic Rec Skate Skiing Clinic This Thursday
Trail Creek Nordic Center
Thursday, January 27
11am – 12:30pm
Join the JH Ski Club Nordic Masters Recreational Clinic this week to perfect your Skate ski technique – we will have 3 certified coaches for 3 levels of skate skiers on freshly groomed trails of Trail Creek. If you have not already registered, please register online. Questions? Email info@jhnordic.com.
Ask JHNordic
Beth G-H:
Hello! Looking for intel on grooming/conditions from Taggart to Jenny. I’ll be in JH next week (coming from Utah) and saw that the trail is groomed on Tues / Fri. Does it tend to get messy by Wed? We have high volume on public groomed trails in Utah (and currently no fresh snow!) – sometimes the day after is not that great for skate skiing. Thanks in advance!
JHNordic:
Hi – the further one skis from Taggart trailhead side, the better the groomed track stays after grooming. After the first mile (the trail is groomed for 14.4 miles up to Signal Mountain), there are very few tracks. You can also start this trail from the Signal Mountain side (north side). A longer drive to access, however very few skiers and tracks. We skied from Taggart to Jenny Lake yesterday, and due to colder morning temps, very few people on the trail, even at 11am. This is one of the most strikingly beautiful Nordic trails anywhere, so don’t miss it! Enjoy!
Trail Creek
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 1/24
Another Busy Week!
We’re off and running with yet another busy week here at Trail Creek. While the sub-zero start to the day has kept the morning crowds down a bit, temps have warmed into the teens and the crowds of youth will begin to arrive shortly. While skiers from kindergarten to super seniors will be on snow throughout the week, the biggest weekly news is probably that the second Junior National Qualifier of the season is happening this upcoming weekend in West Yellowstone. West Yellowstone is always an awesome trip for Nordic enthusiasts; if the idea of some different skiing along with perhaps supporting our teams appeals to you, you can check it out at the event website.
While traveling to ski is fun, there is plenty of fun skiing here today at Trail Creek. The Husky’s primary mission today was focusing on the close field, getting all of the trails necessary for our own Junior National Qualifier, a few short weeks away ready to go. While you could easily get a complete workout traversing all the options in the close field, most of the other trails in the network also received extensive grooming. The exception for today was that some of the National Forest trails were skipped as traffic was a bit light yesterday and to allow more time to work on race courses. Woolsey Woods and Moose Poop received extra attention in the woods and are skiing at the season’s best.
Groomer’s choice for today is Woolsey Woods.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Grooming Monday-Saturday
Last Update: 1/24
Tuesday Grooming Schedule: High School Fields, Emily’s Pond Levee, Wilson Centennial Pathway.
Cache Creek Fat Bike Trails
Last Update: 1/21
I groomed Cache to Noker Mine, Gauging Station, Hagen, Sidewalk, Hagen Highway, and Ferrins Friday night.
Grooming by Friends of Pathways.
Teton Pines Nordic
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 1/23
Our trails continue to be in incredible shape with this awesome weather we’ve recently had! The cold temps and clear skies are great for the track. 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 great selection of skate skis, a few classic track and BC skis, boots, 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: 1/23
As per Friday’s Nordic Update, we groomed the Yellow Loop on both Saturday and Sunday to see how the snowcat is performing after returning from the Pistenbully dealership. The track setter is now functioning, and classic tracks have been set on the Yellow Loop. Also, snowshoeing may begin on the blue loop and reminder that snowshoers need to stay on the far edges of the track or 10 feet from the groomed trail. More signage for the blue snowshoe loop will be added this Monday & Tues. I’ve also reattached the interactive Nordic trail map and instructions. A laminated copy of this trail map is also located on every dog stand to use and is the best way to navigate our trail system.
The snowcat is still battling an electrical issue that we are working on fixing with the manufacturer and the solution for this may take until the off-season to resolve. That being said, we will do our best to work around the issue and continue to groom daily using the snowcat. Beginning tomorrow (Monday 1/24), trail prep on the Orange loop is to begin. Throughout the morning half of Monday, the snowcat will be pushing/harvesting snow and laying down corduroy. Skiers are welcome go where it has been groomed on the Orange loop tomorrow, but they need to know that grooming could be ongoing until after 12pm and might need to turn around where equipment is working. Also, the Orange loop may be soft for several days as it will take multiple grooms to firm up and establish a base similar to that of the Yellow loop. In the event our Pistenbully/snowcat is unable to be used throughout the season, we will supplement grooming using the snowmobile to freshen up the skate lanes and continue to provide the best product we can. Since opening day on 12/20/21, our staff has done an amazing job providing excellent Nordic conditions under adverse weather and equipment issues. Overall, trails are and have been in great shape. We will continue to do our best and communicate trail conditions both the good and bad. Hopefully our equipment cooperates and continued enjoyment of the whole course will now occur beginning tomorrow. Thanks for everyone’s patience and assistance with communicating trail conditions. Next Update will be Tuesday (1/25).
TRAIL STATUS
- YELLOW LOOP OPEN
- SLED HILL GROOMED on 1/22 (Grooming will occur as needed)
- CLASSIC TRACKS SET
- SNOWSHOEING OPEN (BLUE LOOP ONLY STAY ON THE EDGE OF THE TRAIL OR IMMEDIEDATEY NEXT TO TRAIL)
- ORANGE LOOP, CLOSED (Trail prep will begin on 1/24)
- 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: 1/24
Amazing day in GTNP this past Sunday!
Grooming is sponsored by the GTNP Foundation and generous donations from our community.
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 1/23
Beautiful weather, big moose, and delicious food are a few of the things we have to offer along with our daily groomed trails and gear for rent. There is still about a week left to vote for the Best of Jackson Hole; we’d love your support in the categories of Best Hotel, Best Overall Restaurant, Best Family Friendly Activity (Nordic Skiing!), Best Chef – Josh Black, and Best Musician – Gabe Hassan. If you’ve not experienced the magic of Turpin you’ve got to come up and enjoy first hand why we’re in the running for “best of JH.” Please sign waivers 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: 1/22
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: 1/23
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Plan to refresh skate track this morning. Guessing classic track is still in good shape from Saturday groom.
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: 1/24
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Groomed the skate track and left the classic track as is. The skiing should be excellent!
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 1/23
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
Sunday evening I was able to groom and reset the singletrack, skate track and classic track. In these cold temperatures it should turn out well. Walkers and fat tire riders please use the singletrack trail. If you do choose to use on the Nordic track please use the edge furthest from the classic track and don’t damage the middle. Leave the middle of the track for the skate skiers please. Enjoy your walk, ride and glide.
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Last Updated: 1/24
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Monday: Plan to reset skate track and will see if I can improve classic, or leave it alone.
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday & Sunday
Last Updated: 1/23
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
I was able to reset the skate and classic track on yetis and campground loops. Let the good times roll.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Reserve Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Thursday & Saturday
Last Updated: 1/23
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Reset the skate track and the classic track was still in good form.
No dogs allowed.
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 1/23
Singletrack: Set
Groomed Hillbenders and Happy Hour on 1/22 Also put 3 passes on the entire Grumpy trail. Its soft but rideable. Lower pressure and walk on edges of trail if you dismount
Happy Hour (aka Mike Harris to ID/WY state line)
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 1/13
Grooming to summer trail head 1/13
Rammell Mountain Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/15
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: 1/19
Groomed 1/19/22.
JH Nordic Masters Classic & Skate Ski Clinics
SKATE SKI CLINIC
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022
11am – 12:30pm
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.
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
