December 7, 2022 Nature Update
Provided by Cathy Shill founder of The Hole Hiking Experience
https://www.holehike.com/
“To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake, it is necessary to stand out in the cold.” -Aristotle
What a start to the season! The amount of snow and skiable terrain is awesome and hasn’t been like this for quite some time. November was cold and snowy which set us up for a great start. Wet, cold weather continues with current precipitation above average. Town is quiet making early December a wonderful time to play and explore.
As we begin the ski season, remember to recreate responsibility. On December 1, winter wildlife closures began to protect habitat for wintering animals. Make sure to respect the closures. For information, https://www.tetonconservation.org/winter-wildlife-closures. When you see an animal give it space and try not to make it move away from you. Change your plan to minimize disturbance and stress during this hard time of the year.
Full moon this week and in December it is known as the “cold moon.” This moon shines over the horizon longer than most full moons. It’s a frigid time of the year and near the start of winter so nights are long. Clear skies predicted so enjoy.
Great chance to see wildlife near town as they settle onto winter territories. A true benefit of being in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the diversity of life and the potential to see amazing wildlife and nature. I saw an ermine, Mustela erminea, while skiing the other day. It is a member of the weasel family and known as a short-tailed weasel. They adapt to winter by turning white to help them camouflage. They are hunters but their small size also make them prey for something larger. Each day holds wonderful surprises.
Join our team of naturalists to explore the beauty of winter and learn about all the animals that call this valley home. Give a call to discuss options or check us out on the web. www.holehike.com 307.690.4453
We Want to Hear From You!
Now that there are many Nordic options available we at JH Nordic are hoping that you are getting out to enjoy all of the winter trails while recreating responsibly. We would love to highlight your adventures and your photos in trip reports. If you’re willing to share your thoughts and photos please email your stories to info@jhnordic.com. And don’t worry, you don’t have to share locations if you’d like to keep your favorite spot to yourself.
Trail Creek
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 12/7
Bright and Sparkly Day!
There’s lots of sunshine beaming on to our bountiful snow today, creating a myriad of sparkles to delight any lucky enough to make it out for a Nordic ski. The weather is about as good as it gets from the Nordic perspective with all that sun and an 11:30 AM temperature of 24ºF. A smile will surely cross your face if you can get in a ski today.
We have had a bit of a hiccup in the grooming department at Trail Creek. Yesterday after grooming all the trails and just beginning to do an initial grooming for the year of the East Fields, our Husky developed several fault codes and proceeded to shut down. As of report time a technician is on his way and hopefully a speedy resolution of the issues can be found allowing the Husky to promptly be returned to duty.
For today’s grooming the roller and Ginzu were dug out of the snow and brought into service. Almost every trail did receive Ginzu grooming with multiple passes on all of the private property in addition to Olympic and Animal Farm on the National Forest. Fresh classic tracks were also set in the Close Field today while most of the tracks in the woods are in pretty good shape. All in all the Ginzu did a pretty good job and you should find plenty of joy if you get in a Nordic ski today.
Groomer’s choice is to explore the beginnings of “what is to be” in the very sunny East Fields.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Grooming Today: Emily’s Pond Levee, High School Fields
Last Update: 12/7
Game creek is groomed and in good shape. Three creek pathway will be done around 1.
Cache creek and May park are groomed and in great shape. Game creek will be done around 11.
Cache Creek
Last Update: 12/6
The trails should be in good shape for the next few days but wow that is some champagne powder out there, I would go skiing instead 🙂
Teton Pines Nordic
Grooming Daily
Last Update: 12/3
Perfect conditions and full sun today at the Pines!
Shooting Star
Grooming Schedule: Sunday, Monday, & Saturday
Last Update: 12/6
Grooming will be ongoing through 10am or later this morning as will be taking advantage of recent drifting and harvesting snow. Trails will likely be gone over 3 times and the classic tracks may not be completely set until 10am. Trails will be very skiable at 9am, however the classic tracks may not be set it all locations as these are set during our last loop. These early season “growing pains “ are needed as what we’re doing will set us up for long term success…aka your dues at work!
Grand Teton National Park
Last Update: 12/2
Granite canyon Moose-Wilson road closed until Dec 16th
The portion of the Moose-Wilson Road, south of Death Canyon junction and including Granite Canyon Trailhead, remains closed due to construction activities. The road and trailhead will open to over-snow winter recreation December 16. The northern section of the Moose-Wilson Road remains open.
Taggart to Signal – closed to vehicles, not yet groomed. GTNP will begin grooming from Taggart to Signal Mtn on Friday December 16th. This groomed opening is to coordinate their “start to winter recreation” when the south entrance on the Moose-Wilson Road opens (Granite Canyon trailhead area) (skier track trail to LSR preserve and Phelps Lake ) .
Skiers are welcome to ski on the Teton Park Road on the ungroomed road between Taggart, Jenny Lake, and Signal Mountain prior to the groomed opening. If you ski with a dog, remember to stay on the road at all times, and on leash. Please pick up after your dog, too!
We encourage you to support grooming in Grand Teton National Park, one of Jackson Hole’s most beautiful Nordic trails, by donating to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, underwriter of Nordic grooming: GTNPF.org/donate/ -and note “Nordic grooming”. Our community and visitor support make grooming possible!
Please support TVTAP winter trail grooming on your favorite TV winter trails by purchasing a TVTAP Trail sticker Please remember to manage your dogs and respect dog and wildlife closures. Buy a dog trail sticker, too!
Grand Targhee
Grooming Schedule: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
Last Updated: 12/7
Classic Track: Not Set | Fat Bike Trails: Open | Snowshoe Trails: Open
Expect temperatures in the teens with visibility improving throughout the day. Fat Bike trails last groomed 12/3. Nordic trails last groomed 12/6.
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: 12/7
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Reset both classic and skate tracks this morning. Track is starting to firm up and conditions are good.
Driggs
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 12/6
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Yay! New snow! Skate should setup nice overnight. Classic is still a bit chunky but should be okay.
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 12/7
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
There are still some areas that have thin cover and some sticks and bushes are coming up in areas. Over by the horse arena there is some pretty thin cover so watch it there. The vast majority of the track is in great shape and is super skatable and the classic track is setting well. As a reminder please pick up after your dogs, I did run over 3 piles while grooming. There is a mutt mitt station over at the ice rink parking and at the dog park. If you don’t want to pick up the poo while you are out on the trail, taking your dog to the dog park first for a few minutes to let them do their business can be a great way to have an uninterrupted ski. Great day to be out enjoying the trails, have fun!
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Last Updated: 12/6
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Tuesday pm: Canyon received about 4 Inches of light density snow this afternoon. Wednesday morning, after cold night, plan to use the Ginzu to set classic and skate tracks. May be a bit soft, but with forecast of sun and temperatures in upper 20s, tomorrow should be good day for Nordic skiing.
Trail Etiquette: Please keep your dogs leashed in the parking lot and be sure to clean up after them!
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday & Sunday
Last Updated: 12/5
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
Groomed and reset the classic and skate track on campground and yetis loops. It should set up well. Enjoy the glide. The parking lot has been plowed.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Reserve Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Thursday & Saturday
Last Updated: 12/5
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Monday evening Teton reserve got a groom. Reset both the classic and skate tracks. It should firm up overnight and make for excellent conditions. Enjoy the glide.
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/5
Singletrack: Set
Groomed NEMO GRUMPY UPPERHILLBENDER LOWERHILLBENDER POWERLINE 4 passes each Go get some!
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Mark your calendar so you don’t miss out on all the wonderful events coming up! Explore the highlighted events below or find more events on our website at https://jhnordic.com/events/
Murie Cookie Swap & Open House
December 11, 2022 | 1:00PM – 4:00PM
Murie Ranch, Moose, WY
Join us for a Murie-inspired Cookie Swap out at the Murie Ranch on December 11th. What’s a cookie swap, you might ask? Bring a couple dozen of your favorite cookies and a Tupperware container and the swapping will begin. You’ll leave with an assortment of everyone else’s best cookies and a very happy heart!
Nordic Masters Clinics
Thursdays – from Mid December to late February
First Clinic (Classic) – Thursday, December 15
Teton Pines Nordic Center
Join us this winter season to increase your ski speed, stamina, and strength. Work on your technique and form with professional tips and exercises from USSA certified coaches. Stay and ski all day with your clinic ski pass at Teton Pines Nordic Center or Trail Creek Nordic Center (we will ski at both locations through out the winter to provide a variety of terrain and technique).
Betty Woolsey Classic Race
December 26, 2022
Trail Creek Nordic Center
Come work off your Christmas feast in style! This community event offers distances for every age and ability, 10 AM start time with a mass start classic format.
Racers can choose from 0.5k, 3k, 5k, and 10k options.
JH Nordic Alliance 5th Annual Free Ski, Fat Bike, & Snowshoe Day
Sunday, January 8th, 2023 | 9:30AM – 3:00PM
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Fun, Free Community Day – with Raffle benefiting local Nordic Alliance non-profit. Free trail pass, Free skate & classic XC ski demo gear, Free fat bike demos, free Nordic ski lessons, Free BackCountry Nordic Ski & Snowshoe tours, Kids Corral (2-5 yr olds), Bridger-Teton USFS wildlife and wilderness info, Kates Bars, Lunch, snacks, hot & cold drinks.
Sponsored by the JH Nordic Alliance members. Family. Friends, visitors, dogs (on leash) welcome. Bring your own skis and bikes recommended to use between free demos and tours.
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
