Early Skate Skiing Adventures, A Life Well-Lived in Jackson Hole
An Interview with Gwenn and Don Wadsworth
Jessi – JH Nordic: I would love to hear about your own personal history, how you got interested in Nordic skiing, how you ended up in Jackson, becoming instructors, your story?
Gwenn: So Don and I came here and taught at the high school a couple years, in ’79. It was really primitive education at that time and we came from big high schools in southern California–Don’s a football coach, I’m a volleyball coach. It was when the high school was actually in town and was very small. I mean they were just so anti-physical education. We were trying to teach all kinds of cardio things and we’d jog ‘em out on the Elk Refuge–all kinds of things like that. It was just beating our heads against the wall because when they built the new high school, they wouldn’t put lines on the gym floor for volleyball or badminton or anything like that.
[Next] we ran the Sport Club at the Aspens when that whole big building was all part of it, with a swimming pool, a racquet ball court, and tennis courts; we had everything, a beautiful weight room, everything.
Teton Park Road Open to Non-motorized Recreation
| The Teton Park Road between the Taggart Lake Trailhead and Signal Mountain Lodge is cleared of snow and open to non-motorized recreational uses such as walking, bicycling, and rollerblading beginning Saturday, March 27. Please use caution, as snow and ice may persist on some sections of the roadway creating slick conditions. Recreationists should also be alert for park vehicles that periodically travel this roadway for administrative purposes as spring opening operations continue. Road crews may be clearing auxiliary roads and wayside areas, and visitors are cautioned to keep a safe distance from rotary plows and other heavy equipment. Restrooms are located at the Taggart Trailhead, Cottonwood Picnic Area and Signal Mountain Lodge. Dogs are permitted on the Teton Park Road. Dog owners are required to use a leash no longer than six feet in length and are required to clean up after their dogs. Waste disposal bag stations are located at each end of the road. This 14-mile section of the Teton Park Road will open to public motor vehicle traffic on Saturday, May 1, 2021. |
End of season Trail Reports:
JHNordic will continue to post Daily Nordic Trail Reports until Thursday April 1st. Then we will continue to publish Nordic Reports on Saturdays and Tuesdays until Tuesday April 13th . Then we move into “off-season “ Reports each month.
JH Nordic Masters Recreational Clinic Series Survey
For all Nordic skiers in the JH community, we would love your input about your interest and experience with the Nordic Masters Recreational Clinics hosted this year, in conjunction with the JH Ski Club Nordic program.
Whether you attended one or more clinics, the entire 8 skate and classic cross country ski series, or have other interests in improving your Nordic ski technique – recreational , racing, social -we would love to hear from you.
Please complete this short survey, and we’ll mail you a free JHNordic NoSo patch (made in Jackson Hole!).
Thanks for sharing your ideas, so we can tailor our program to be as successful as possible.
Nearly Halfway There!
Do you like perfect corduroy? Help us fundraise for a new Pisten Bully at Trail Creek! The Pisten Bully Paana has served the Trail Creek venue for well over a decade, but it has come to the end of its lifespan as an efficient and effective tool. It is operating at a much lower emission standard due to its age, frequently requires repair, and is far less efficient than newer equipment.
We Are nearly HALF Way to Our Goal:
At the kickoff of our fundraising efforts, JHSC was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Teton County School District #1 Rec District Board. Then, with the generosity of about 40 Nordic community members, we generated over $71,000, getting us nearly half of the way towards a new Pisten Bully.
We hope to complete fundraising efforts and put a deposit down by August 2021. This timeframe will ensure our new Pisten Bully arrives by the beginning of December 2021.
Trail Creek
Last Updated: 3/25
Foxy Encounter!
During last night’s grooming one of our resident foxes was in quite the social mood. As the Pisten Bully rumbled out through the lower East Fields it initially scampered off the trail, but after some reconsideration decided to get back to work on what must surely be a tasty morsel just under the snow. Click here or on the image above to watch the video of this magical encounter. Unfortunately for the fox it did not score any tidbits in the recorded exploration, although the evening hunt was just beginning with numerous sightings as grooming continued.
Magical might be a bit of a stretch in describing the skiing today at Trail Creek, but while probably not a top 10 day, you can get a pretty good workout if you come out for a Nordic ski today. Last night’s grooming was basically a skate grooming pass on all trails with an additional classic track setting pass on the fields. The snow never got very warm yesterday so the classic track was a bit variable. Skate lanes are very fast early with slowing but reasonable skiing as the day warms to the mid 30’s. There is a pretty good chance of a little snow which could actually be nice for skier if their wax is good.
Look for the next grooming Friday evening. Groomer’s choice for today is the fields.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Last Updated: 3/26
Cache, Game, and the May park are groomed and in decent shape. The May park will no longer be groomed. We will attempt to groom cache and game once more next Wednesday but it all depends on conditions. Same for stilson and the levee which the last day will be Tuesday.
Cache Creek
Last Updated: 3/21
Groomed over the weekend when the temps went from warm to cold and it set up well, I’ll go again if we get a warm freeze day again otherwise its rock solid.
All the shady side stuff should last a while but the sunny side will probably get rotten with the next warm temps.
Grooming provided by Friends of Pathways.
Teton Pines Nordic
Done Grooming for the Season
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
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
Done Grooming for the Season
Plowing began March 22nd – Road closed until plowing completed – around April 1st.
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Done Grooming for the Season
NON-GROOMED TRAILS IN USFS STILL ACCESSIBLE. LODGE CLOSED.
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: 3/26
Cross Country/Fat Bike 15k: XC OPEN (Last groomed 3/25/2021) 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
Grooming through April 11th, conditions permitting
Last Updated: 3/25
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Enjoyed morning coffee on the Alta Track this morning (Thursday). Finished up the grooming at 8:30am. Left the classic track in place, as it is firm and in good shape. Low flying geese!
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
Grooming through March 27th, conditions permitting
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
Done Grooming for the Season
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
Grooming through April 11th, conditions permitting
Last Updated: 3/26
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Friday: A couple inches new snow and temperature of 22 degrees, allowed both skate and classic tracks to groom out just right this morning.
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
Grooming through April 4th, conditions permitting
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
Grooming through April 3rd, conditions permitting
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
Done Grooming for the Season
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
Grooming through April 4th, conditions permitting
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
