February 2, 2021 Nature Update
Provided by Cathy Shill
Founder of The Hole Hiking Experience
www.holehike.com
Fresh snow in Jackson Hole has changed the valley landscape to the season of winter. It takes time each year for snow to cover the valley nestling us in Old Man Winters’ blanket. It’s the stage when the snow deepens to cover most vegetation leaving the valley white and snow-covered until the warmth of March. This last storm cycle dumped enough snow to create this transition.
Winter is a quiet season compared to the cacophony of sound during summer. Many birds fly south changing the sounds of the forest. Winter winds also sound different with the sway of conifers and lack of leaves on the trees. Snow plops off branches and settles as you move making winter sounds.
The jet stream drives storms to our valley. We hear the winter wind blowing across open spaces. Most of our moisture for the year comes in the form of snow. Average snowfall at 9000 feet is 400 inches.
Animals can slow body functions to minimize energy loss so when it storms, nature waits. Birds can enter a state of torpor or light sleep. Most find a protected spot nestled against a tree. Larger animals hunker down in storms since moving through deep fresh snow is exhausting. The landscape becomes white and silent. It’s the winter dance of survival. To find balance during this long dark, cold season.
As snow settles in Jackson Hole and covers the valley, driving during storms can become treacherous. Blowing snow causes white outs and icy roads. Best to stick close to town when it’s really stormy. The Snake River dike off Highway 22 is always fun with fresh snow. Game Creek and Cache Creek near town are great options. The Taggart Lake trailhead is plowed early on stormy days so a good option but remember you have to drive north to access Grand Teton so check out road conditions. https://www.wyoroad.info/ Parking can become an issue with lots of snow. Try to be respectful of the plow drivers. They work hard to keep us safe.
Join us to learn about the season of winter and adaptations for survival. You can’t beat the winter solitude found in Grand Teton Park.
The Hole Hiking Experience (www.holehike.com) 307.690.4453
Emily’s Pond on Monday Seen by a JH Poop Fairy
Bald eagle surveying the poop fairy’s work on Emily’s Pond.Friendly reminder to all to pick up your dog’s poop, no matter which trail you’re on. Even if you don’t have a dog, consider “doing the right thing” and picking up someone else’s poop bag.. for the health of our trails, creeks, rivers. Thanks to the JH Poop Fairies for their volunteer work !
Photos: Stephanie C.
Photo: Friends of BT | Story: Buckrail
Friends of Bridger-Teton Welcomes New Executive Director
Friends of the Bridger-Teton (FBT) Board of Directors is welcoming Dr. Scott Kosiba as the organization’s new Executive Director. Kosiba will succeed Sarah Walker, who as the FBT’s first Director, built the organization from the ground up during her two-year tenure.
Kosiba takes the helm of Friends of the Bridger-Teton at an exciting time of growth and opportunity and brings with him a wealth of experience. Scott holds a PhD in Biological Sciences from Louisiana State University where his research focused on the impact of slash-and-burn agriculture on forest regeneration in the Amazon rainforest. Locally, Kosiba has worked in the Bridger-Teton as a wildlife technician and wilderness ranger in the Jim Bridger Wilderness. Scott has also served as a consultant wildlife biologist on BLM lands specializing in greater sage-grouse and was a seasonal stewardship associate for the Jackson Hole Land Trust’s Green River Valley Program. Scott is a member of the small business community and has local non-profit management experience and a passion for community-building, education, and outreach.
Trail Creek Nordic
Last Updated: 2/3
A Blank Slate!
Overnight at Trail Creek 3-4 inches of heavy snow accompanied by some moderate winds blanketed the trails at Trail Creek, leaving a clean slate for this morning’s Pisten Bully grooming. Thankfully the heavy snow was very pliable, compacting into some nice results. While there was only time for a single skate pass on the National Forest trails, most of the rest received double Pisten Bully passes with fresh classic tracks. Also in preparation for this afternoon’s practices, the play areas in the fields were groomed.
The weather this morning has been kind of a mixed bag with sunny calm periods interspersed with blizzardy snow squalls. Less than an inch fell during grooming and just a skiff of snow had blown in that time period as well.
While this afternoon will be quite busy, no teams will be at Trail Creek tomorrow. Friday and Saturday is the next high school race in Lander.
Groomer’s choice for today is Armin’s.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Last Updated: 2/3
Cache creek and May park are groomed and in decent shape. Game Creek will be finished around 11:00.
Game Creek and three creek pathway are groomed and in good shape.
Teton Pines Nordic
Last Updated: 1/27
| New snow and the new groomer snow cat are making for excellent skiing at Teton Pines. The groomer has been out at sunrise, and tracks – classic and skate – are skiing well all day long. Friendly reminder, please no snowshoeing or dogs! (there’s plenty of snowshoe and dog friendly trails just down the road at Stilson, Wilson Centennial, and Emily’s Pond). Please call or email Cody for more details: (307) 733-1733 or tetonpinesxc@gmail.com |
Teton Village Trail
Last Updated: 2/1
Teton Village pathway along the Moose-Wilson road was groomed Sunday. Nice snowy packed conditions, good for nordic, fat biking, walking, trail running!
Shooting Star
Last Updated: 2/1
The course is in great shape and the trails continue to firm up after the recent snow storms. Monday & Tuesday’s weather looks to promote ideal Nordic conditions, boasting lots of sunshine and warm temps. Outlook is calling for another active cycle of wintery weather beginning Wednesday and lasting through the weekend. Accumulations look to be on the light side, but skiers should anticipate a daily 1-3” of snow to fall on the track during the daylight hours with some possible drifting throughout this system. Overall, it should be another great week to get outside and go on a Nordic adventure. Next Update will be Monday 2/8. Enjoy!
Please See the following Restrictions
- Dog Loops & All Nordic Skiing Trails OPEN
- Sled Hill OPEN
- Classic Tracks SET
- Snow Shoeing Loop OPEN
- Casual Walking Not Permitted
Grand Teton National Park
Last Updated: 2/2
Taggart trailhead to Jenny Lake today.
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Last Updated: 1/29
Got just the right amount of snow to make the skate lane groom great! Around an inch of fresh snow and temps around 20 should make for great skiing today, come on down!. If you’re new to skiing or wanting to refine your skills, book a ski lesson with our professional ski instructor Elee (she also does guided tours)! She is a wealth of knowledge and can help take your Nordic skiing, whether it be skate or classic, to the next level! 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 (see link below). As always, remember to recreate responsibly. Bring a mask as it is required to enter the lodge. Lunch and dinner are both by reservation only.
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: 2/3
Cross Country/Fat Bike 15k: XC OPEN (Last groomed 2/2/2021, 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: 2/3
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Will be out tomorrow morning to groom. Hope to wrap up by 9am. Will update report when complete.
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: 2/3
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
Groomed this morning. Surface is soft!
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Last Updated: 2/3
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
I groomed this afternoon and reset the classic track. I put the single track back in place. Enjoy the glide, the ride & the dog walk.
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
Last Updated: 2/3
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Wednesday: Will try to wait for snowfall to let up before beginning to groom this morning. Plan to begin no later than 9am, and will reset both skate and classic tracks with the roller.
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
Last Updated: 2/3
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Groomed Yeti and campground loops finished around 1230. Classic track set with the counter clockwise skier in mind. The classic skiing was great and skating is soft but very skiable.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Springs Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
Last Updated: 2/1
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set | Singletrack: Set
Clear and crisp.
No dogs allowed.
5th Street Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 1/25
Singletrack: Set
Did a few laps around the park with the sled and tire drag this afternoon. It will be firm and ready for action as soon as the snow sets up a bit.
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 2/1
Singletrack: Set
Amazing conditions!!! Groomed entire trail network from State Line to Pole Canyon. Everything is done. Enjoy before the next cycle! -Derrick
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 1/27
Grooming to summer TH 1/27 PM
Rammell Mountain Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 1/21
Grooming on 1/21
South Leigh Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 2/3
Groomed 2/3
JH Nordic Recreational Masters – Classic Ski Clinic
TETON PINES
TODAY! FEBRUARY 4, 2021
All welcome (no beginners)
Drop-in $35 (includes clinic & Teton Pines Nordic all day ski pass)
or $30 (if you already have a Teton Pines Nordic pass or membership).
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
