March 23, 2021 Nature Update
Provided by Cathy Shill, founder of The Hole Hiking Experience
https://www.holehike.com/
“Suffering is only the friction between what is and what is wanted.” -Guy Armstrong
Recent warm temperatures and melting valley snow definitely feels like spring in Jackson Hole. Animals follow the bare earth as they start to move to summer territories. I drove north in Grand Teton Park on Sunday and saw about 20 deer on the East Gros Ventre Butte near town, lots of elk on the National Elk Refuge, and 4 moose bedded down near the Gros Ventre River. As I continued east toward the town of Kelly, I saw a small herd of bison and more moose out in the sage flats. Robins sing in the morning. Red Tail Hawks soar above town. Flocks of Waxwings feed on service berry. Love the signs of spring!
This season shares all kinds of weather directly affecting the snow. I have heard recent comments such as hard, frozen and coral reef. When we have warm days and cold nights, the cold overnight temperatures will freeze or harden the snowpack. The snow remains frozen until it warms enough to melt. Temperatures have been cooler this week keeping the snow firm. Best to watch the weather and look for optimal temperatures near freezing. This is when the top layer of snow with soften to crust cruise. Conditions have been great for xc skiing with proper timing. Give us a call to discuss conditions and help you plan a great spring outing. You can’t beat the beauty and the chance to learn about this amazing ecosystem.
The town of Jackson will be buzzing this weekend with the World Championship Hill Climb. https://snowkingmountain.com/jackson-hole-hill-climb/ . Snow King, our town ski hill, hosts this snowmobile challenge. Racers speed up the steep part of the mountain to be “king or queen of the hill.” Always a thrill and quite busy. Plan accordingly.
Still looking for a mountain bluebird. I hear they are in Teton Valley, Idaho so just over Teton Pass. A sure sign of spring for me. Enjoy all the changes. We never know how long the snow will last or when it will turn to slush. Enjoy this dynamic time of year.
The Hole Hiking Experience | www.holehike.com | 307.690.4453
Winter Trail Grooming Coming to an End for Teton County/Jackson Parks & Rec
Teton County/Jackson Parks & Recreation grooms several locations in and around the valley for recreational opportunities including: Cache Creek, Game Creek, High School Fields, Wayne May Park, Emily Steven’s levee, Stilson/Centennial area and South Park Loop Rd. Parks & Recreation receives grant funding from the Wyoming State Trails Program that ensures the current service levels related to grooming can run through March 15th each year. We recognize the value these services bring to the community and due to the good snowpack in the back country this year we extended our grooming past March 15th. Based on current conditions and forecasted warm temperatures all grooming will stop after March 31st. Currently staff is grooming Cache Creek, Game Creek, Stilson and Emily Steven’s levee. All other valley locations are done for the season. Parks & Recreation will be posting a survey in the coming weeks to evaluate winter service levels. Please visit the website for additional information related to grooming. http://www.tetonparksandrec.org/1353/Grooming-Report.
Thank you for a great season and recreating responsibly during these challenging times!
Wildlife Wednesdays with Jackson Hole Ecotour Adventures
Wolves, Coyotes, and Elk all in the same shot! This video by Naturalist Sarah Ernst shows the size difference between the three as well as illustrates an important predator/prey/scavenger dynamic. Wolves hunt elk, yet this herd ignores them in pursuit of supplemental feed being dropped by the tractor. Elk in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem have adapted for thousands of years to live with wolves and other predators. If they aren’t being actively hunted they conserve energy as we see here.
Similarly, coyotes are also adapted to life with other bigger predators. They benefit from scavenging wolf killed carcasses but do so at a risk – wolves are territorial and will kill coyotes if they have the opportunity.
Take a Tour
The crust cruising is on in GTNP! Jackson Hole Ecotour Adventures is open and running tours all spring long, including Jackson to Yellowstone/Old Faithful starting April 16 after the West Entrance opens. Guide Laura had grizzly and wolf tracks on a ski tour in Northern Grand Teton yesterday!
Trail Creek
Last Updated: 3/23
Juniors in Action!
Coach George put together an amazing video of some of the wild antics of the Junior skiers taken throughout the season; it is amazing to see what a bunch of 11-14 year olds can do when you turn them loose on some Nordic skis, click on the image above and you will be greatly entertained!
Another great image above was sent in by Coach Luna from last weekend’s FIS races in Sun Valley. This race featured some of the fastest racers from all over the world. You can check out the results here and see how our racers posted some very respectable times.
Finally you yourself will be able to post some respectable times if you make it out to Trail Creek today. A record setting (for the month of March 2021) 2 inches of snow fell overnight, finally allowing the Pisten Bully to have a little fresh with which to work in this morning’s grooming. Pretty much all trails received double passes with fresh classic tracks. The classic tracks are a bit variable as the under snow is very hard, but the skate lanes were bringing nothing but smiles from this morning’s skiers.
Temps are not supposed to warm too much today so conditions should stay pretty good through the day and into tomorrow. Look for the next grooming either Wednesday evening or Thursday morning depending on what we get for temps and snowfall.
Groomer’s choice for today is Armin’s.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Last Updated: 3/24
Cache and may park are groomed. Cache is in great shape except for one bare area at mile marker 1. Friday will be the last day for May park. Game creek will be done around 11:00.
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 Groomed Date: 3/20
Thanks for a GREAT season everyone! We successfully navigated the pandemic this season and kept everyone healthy and skiing!
We look forward to seeing you next season which will begin in late November. With global supply shortages still a concern, next season could end up being challenging for gear if you wait too long to purchase it. We’ve already placed orders for Salomon, Alpina, Sporten, Lillsport, Daehlie, Swix, Sauce, and Craft. This gear should be arriving in early November. If you’d like to preorder or special order gear for the season please get in touch with Cody: tetonpinesxc@gmail.com
Shooting Star
Last Updated: 3/22
The trails have groomed out well, and conditions for Nordic skiing should be very enjoyable. Snow fall today and tonight will provide a refresher for the track surface. A few more chances of snow throughout the middle of the week are followed by sunnier and warmer weather this weekend. Reminder that trails will be icy in the morning, softer around lunchtime, and potentially slushy in the afternoon — temperature and sunshine dependent. Also, the depth & quality of the classic tracks will be inconsistent due to the icier profile. Enjoy!
Next Update 3/29
Please See the following Restrictions:
- Dog Loops & All Nordic Skiing Trails OPEN
- Sled Hill OPEN
- Classic Tracks SET
- Snow Shoeing Loop OPEN
- Casual Walking & Trail Running Not Permitted
Trip Report: 3/21 – Thanks to a freshly groomed trail, Shooting Star skied beautifully on Sunday. Both classic and skate conditions were excellent.. between 10am-12:30p. Firm corduroy to start, softening on the south facing pitches first, then a nice 1/2-1 inch creamy top. So good, we did 2 full loops.
Snake River Sporting Club
Last Updated: 3/21
SRSC will be grooming Monday. Conditions are springlike, thin in some areas and the creek crossings are thin too. Get down to explore and enjoy while the snow lasts!
Grand Teton National Park
Road Plowed: 3/22
Plowing begins March 22nd – Road closed until plowing completed – around April 1st.
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Last Groomed Date: 3/8
GROOMING ENDED FOR THE SEASON – NON-GROOMED TRAILS IN USFS STILL ACCESSIBLE.
While Turpin Meadow Ranch is officially closed, we would like to recognize some highlights from our perspective this winter:
- all of the folks who came to Turpin to try Nordic skiing for their first time ever
- all of the joy that was shared which inspired a new term for skis: “giggle sticks”
- a strong interest and participation in our lessons and tours from the community
- guests posting their adventures at Turpin on their social media
- people flagging down the groomer to share their gratitude
- and the biggest compliment of all is when folks tell their friends to go to Turpin “because it’s my favorite place to cross country ski!”
From all the Nordic team at Turpin, the managers, groomers, instructors and guides, we’d like to say thank you to the Nordic community who made this winter season so memorable. We are already looking forward to next winter and the opportunity to facilitate the ski adventure of your dreams.
https://www.turpinmeadowranch.com/the-ranch/live-conditions/
https://www.turpinmeadowranch.com | 307.543.2000, office
Grand Targhee
Last Updated: 3/24
Cross Country/Fat Bike 15k: XC OPEN (Last groomed 3/21/2021) 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: 3/23
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Groomed last night and this morning. Looks great for both classic and skate.
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: 3/24
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
Smoothed out the west side with the weighted drag. Didn’t have time to groom the east side.
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Last Updated: 3/24
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
It was a great winter trail season in Sherman Park. Thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers and staff for keeping the trail well groomed. Enjoy spring!
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
Last Updated: 3/24
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Wednesday: Plan to reset skate and classic, if I can improve. Should finish by 9am.
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
Last Updated: 3/24
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Groomed Campground and Yetis loops early this a.m. Skate track and classic track have been reset on both. Warning, please be aware that the gate is currently closed on yetis loop due to motor vehicle traffic. Please be sure that the gate stays closed to avoid trail damage.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Springs Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
Last Updated: 3/24
Skate: Set | Classic: Set | Singletrack: Not Set
I groomed the skate track and reset the classic track. The single track was not reset. Ride the roads to the Southern Valley trail access for Lady Slipper and the rest of the system.
No dogs allowed.
5th Street Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 3/19
Singletrack: Not Set
We are done grooming singletrack at 5th street this season. Thanks for your support!
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 3/13
Singletrack: Set
All of the single track trails are rider packed. All the trails are in relatively good condition with the exception of animal tracks. It is getting a little icy out there after the freeze-thaw cycle and soft in the middle of the day. Your best times are early and late. I was able to use the single track drag on Nemo, Powerline and upper Lady slipper to try to fill in the ruts and animal tracks. I was only moderately successful at doing so. Enjoy the ride.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 3/11
Darby groomed to end of road.
South Leigh Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 3/18
Grooming 3/18 PM
Wydaho Ride Groomed Winter Challenge with Kait Boyle
SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 10:59 PM
Ride our favorite fat biking trails to help fundraise for grooming machines for TVTAP and Friends of Pathways: March 6th to March 27th
Nordic skiers can participate and contribute too! Who doesn’t like a perfectly groomed winter trail?!
To participate, you must also donate to one of the following organizations and attach a photo for proof of donation to your RideWithGPS activity:
Teton Valley Trails and Pathways
Friends of Pathways
Skyliners Motor Club (mail check to PO Box 552 Driggs 83422)
Karen Oatey Pole-Pedal-Paddle (PPP)
Hosted by JH Ski & Snowboard Club
SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 2021
Bring your own Team or compete as an individual. Join this fun-filled muli-sport community favorite event, or cheer on friends and family! Competitive or just for fun, family event. Prizes.
Event honors Karen Oatey and the Karen Oatey Endowment, and benefits JH Ski & Snowboard Club youth ski programs and scholarships.
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
