New on the Blog: Grand Teton National Park Foundation Inside Story
Grand Teton National Park Foundation (GTNPF) is the private fundraising partner for Grand Teton National Park. It was established in 1997 by a few Jackson Hole locals who thought the park needed a new visitor center. Without enough federal funding for the project, they decided to start a foundation to raise money. Ten years later, the new visitor’s center opened with funding from the GTNPF. 5 years later, GTNPF began funding Nordic grooming on the Teton Park Road.
Trip Report: North Fork Fall Creek Road Trail
With many popular winter trailheads getting crushed during this holiday season, we went looking for a lesser known trail to find solitude, space, a new place.
The North Fork of Fall Creek road begins at Red Top Meadows, and heads west into the Bridger Teton forest (part of the Palisades Wilderness Study Area). The road was tracked by several snow machines, packing the fresh snow just enough to not have to break trail. We skied 3 miles out (6 miles RT), a perfect way to warm up on this otherwise chilly, single digit day). Fat bikes would do well here too, and the road goes another few miles further… mid-week solitude!
Trip Report: 2 Oceans Lake Trail and Oxbow Bend
There was too much snow yesterday to break trail to Emma Matilda so we only went to 2 Ocean using the road. Oxbow Bend on the Snake the day before. Two perfect days.
Trail Creek Nordic
Last Updated: 12/28
Marvelous Monday!
Mondays can be overwhelming but today with the holiday spirit still in force, a shortened work week due to the New Year, and lots of recent pristine snow, it is nothing but good news for this Monday!
Today’s grooming was with the Pisten Bully and was a complicated mixed bag, but if you can make it out today you will find more grooming in the fields than any time this year. There are double tracks throughout with Gutflop being almost skiable for the first time this winter. Even some of the minor East Fields woods trails were groomed for the first time today. Moving onto the woods, almost all trails have received double passes with fresh classic tracks although some were yesterday and some today.
The temperature is taking its sweet time to warm with mid-day temps still hanging in the single digit range, but you should be able to find plenty of nice skiing if you can make it out today.
One sad bit of news, Old Number 20 has not been seen with her feisty little bull calf for several weeks making it look as if something ominous has happened to him. One rib was spotted in the woods recently although it did look relatively old. If anyone has seen the calf or evidence of his demise it would be interesting to know.
Groomer’s choice for today is the sunny fields.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Last Updated: 12/28
Groomed Cache Creek trail head to Noker Mine Draw.
Teton Pines Nordic
Last Updated: 12/19
We are open daily 9am-4pm. We groom 16km of track each morning for both skate and classic skiing. The conditions are great right now and will continue to improve as we get more snow this week.
Please come ready to ski as we do not have an indoor area for getting ready this year. We have lots of covid protocols to keep everyone safe and healthy this season. Please check in with us at our outside window/intercom located on the southside of the Teton Pines Clubhouse. The main Clubhouse upper level/front door is closed to the public. The restaurant is closed to the public this winter as well.
We still have lots of nordic gear in our shop if you need to pick up some last minute gifts for the nordic skiers on your list! We currently have a good selection of sizes in skate gear ( skis/boots/poles) but our classic gear is currently in short supply. We are expecting a small shipment of classic skis around Jan 1. We have a great selection and supply of hats, jackets, pants, socks and gloves by Daehlie, Skida, and Swix. If you want to explore Grand Teton NP and the Jackson Hole area on xc skis, we carry the must have xc ski trail guidebook for our region in the shop: https://www.facebook.com/SkiYellowstone
Please call or email Cody for more details: (307) 733-1733 or tetonpinesxc@gmail.com
Shooting Star
Last Updated: 12/27
The trails are in excellent shape and should remain very enjoyable through Wednesday. The snowshoe loop is now open again.
SNOWSHOEING RULES:
- Stay On the Far Edges of the Actual Groomed trail Surface OR Stay within 6FT of the groomed Trail
- DO NOT WANDER off the trails OR WALK ON GREENS! STAY ON DESIGNATED LOOP At All Times
- Walking On the Greens Promotes Severe Damage/Injury to the Putting Surface
- Don’t Walk Across Lakes (Our Lakes Don’t Fully Freeze Over)
NORDIC RESTRICTIONS:
- Dog Loops & All Nordic Skiing Trails OPEN
- Sled Hill OPEN (Will be Groomed Again once more Snow Returns)
- Classic Tracks SET
- Snow Shoeing Loop OPEN
- Casual Walking Not Permitted
Enjoy the Nordic Course and the fun conditions during the final days of 2020! Next Update will be Thursday 12/31.
Teton Village Pathway
Last Updated: 12/23
Teton village pathway – from Lake Creek Bridge north to the end of bike path/GTNP south entrance groomed today. Thanks to JHMR for the grooming and Teton Village Association for making it happen!
Grand Teton National Park
Last Updated: 12/27
Grand Teton Park Foundation has provided the following modifications to the grooming schedule for Teton Park Road over the holidays:
Sunday 12/27 — Grooming to 4 passes x4 miles Taggart to south Jenny
Tuesday 12/29 — Grooming to Signal Mountain AND 4x to South Jenny
Friday 1/1 — No grooming.
Sunday 1/3 — Grooming 4x to South Jenny
Tuesday 1/5 Grooming to Signal Mountain AND 4x to South Jenny
[Back to regular schedule after 1/5]
Remember that dogs must be on leash, and are only allowed on the groomed trail in the section of GTNP. Please consider making a donation to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation for funding winter grooming -one of our most iconic trails. For bonus points, note “Nordic grooming” on your donation so we can track the involvement from our invested community members!
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Last Updated: 12/28
Soft conditions persist. We’ve gotten into a pattern of grooming our tails at the end of each day. All new classic track was laid end of day on December 28. To help with social distancing and to get you on the trails faster please purchase your trail passes and sign your waivers online in advance. To keep an eye on live conditions, check out the webcams here.
Grand Targhee
Last Updated: 12/28
Cross Country/Fat Bike 15k: XC OPEN (Last groomed 12/26/2020) Fat Bike OPEN.
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: 12/27
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Bonus groom Sunday night with the ginzu. Skate and classic track set. Looks really good. Hopefully it sets up tonight. If so, Monday should be really good.
Please do not park in the library parking lot.
Driggs
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 12/28
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
Smoothed our beautifully.
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Last Updated: 12/28
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Sherman Park got a fresh groom. The skate, classic and singletrack trails are in. Enjoy.
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
Last Updated: 12/28
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Monday: On Sunday, Michael packed down the foot or so of new snow with the roller. This morning we plan to use Ginzu to reset both skate and classic tracks. Temperature currently below zero, so will begin to groom at 8am.
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
Last Updated: 12/28
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
I groomed yeti’s and campground loops and was able to set the classic and skate tracks. It seems to be setting up really well in these low temperatures. Fingers crossed for a firm snow pack in the morning. Enjoy the glide.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Springs Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
Last Updated: 12/27
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
6-8 inches of new snow.
No dogs allowed.
5th Street Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/27
Singletrack: Set
Sunday night – 5th St. is ridden in. A few inches of fluff on top packed in well and smoothed out the previous bumps. Go low on the tire pressures if these low temps stick around. Clockwise laps always easier (riding it both ways is believing).
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/27
Singletrack: Set
The entire Southern Valley singletrack system has a fresh haircut. We groomed everything: Happy Hour, Nemo, Hillbenders, Upper and lower Lady Slipper and Pole Canyon to the trailhead. Enjoy the ride!
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
JH Nordic Recreation Masters Clinics
THURSDAY, JANUARY 7th | TETON PINES
The third of eight in the clinic series featuring classic XC ski. Sessions run bi-weekly from 11:00am – 12:30pm through March 18th, alternating between skate skiing and classic cross-country.
Teton Ridge Classic
SATURDAY, JANUARY 9TH | GRAND TARGHEE
The 18th annual Ridge Classic benefits both Teton Valley Trails and Pathways and Teton Valley Ski Education Foundation. The race will start at 10 am. The 24, 14, and 7 km races will be intervals starts separated by 20 seconds. Individual start times will be emailed to registered participants on Friday before the race.
CANCELLED
JH Nordic Alliance Annual Free Nordic Ski, Fat Bike, Snowshoe Event
Based on our goal to Recreate Responsibly, the JH Nordic Alliance has decided to cancel this season’s Annual Free Winter Trails Nordic, Fat Bike and Snowshoe Event. Stay tuned for January 2022! In the meantime, we encourage you to get out safely, responsibly, wear a mask, keep your groups small, and space out!
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
