Wildlife Wednesday with JH EcoTour Adventures
Ravens are widely considered to be the smartest bird in the world. In fact, research published in late 2020 revealed that the common raven may be as intelligent as apes and chimpanzees. Researchers hand-reared 8 ravens and subjected them to a series of cognition tests that were originally developed for testing great apes and human children. At four months old, the ravens had mastered most tasks! These results compared similarly to those of adult chimps and apes! Something to ponder the next time you see a raven eyeing your lunch!
Mountain bluebirds are one of the first migrating songbirds to return to the valley in spring. It usually doesn’t feel like spring until we start seeing these bright blue birds! Have you seen one yet?
Favorite Late season Nordic and Fat Bike Trails
– Trail Creek Nordic
– Teton Canyon
– Grand Targhee Nordic and Fat bike trails
– Other Teton Valley Nordic and fat bike trails – TVTAP groomed
– Rosie’s Ridge – Togwotee Pass
– Grand Teton National Park – crust cruising north of Taggart trailhead out and back to Jenny Lake, crust cruising Signal Mountain south to the Potholes (Note: you may need to walk on the road for the first 1/2 mile)
– Pine Creek Pass, ID
Planning Your Next Spring Ski Adventure
As the winter winds down and spring weather warms up our snowpack, there are still many options for un-groomed trails and crust-cruising! To find the latest information on which trails are still open, when they are groomed, snow conditions – check the JHNordic Trail Report. Posts will occur daily until April 2nd at JHNordic.com/trail-reports/ or subscribe via email (your choice which day(s) to receive it). You can also check the Jackson Hole/Teton Valley Grooming Schedule page, to see which days each trail is groomed and which trails have finished grooming for the season.
Things to consider before heading out:
Elevation – higher elevation will have more snow, melt later, thus start later in the morning.
Overnight and day temperatures – make sure that there are a few hours overnight below freezing to ensure firm snow to start.
Aspect – noting that the east facing trails will warm first, then following the sun, south then west. North facing trails stay cool longer, but when ambient temps rise to into the 40s or 50s, even the north and shady trails will soften.
Sun – direct or shade
Morning firm crust will convert quickly to midday slush with current warm temps – so limit your time and plan to get back to the trailhead before the snow over-softens.
Recreate Responsibly! – Leave No Trace, follow dog management rules for leashes, closed trails, pick up your dogs poop, please! Respect wildlife, and wildlife closures. Give wildlife generous space. Know Before You Go. Make a plan, find out local info from an expert.
West Yellowstone Rendezvous Nordic Trails
If you’re craving machine groomed Nordic trails and a change of scenery check out the Rendezvous trail system in West Yellowstone. You could even make it a multi-sport event and go for a bike ride in Yellowstone before or after your ski.
Saturday, March 26 The trails in West Yellowstone that are still being machine groomed: Rendezvous, Deja View, Biathlon Range, Biathlon Purple, Wolverine, Tele Hill, Sheppard’s, Drewski, Spencer, Jerry’s, Doug’s Doodle, In and Out and Purple Haze.
Biking into Yellowstone on the park road is happening…. hope you can get our there and ski, run, bike. Call the West Yellowstone visitor center for more information about biking 406-646-7701.
Trail Creek
Grooming Tuesday and Thursday evenings
Last Update: 3/27
Still Hanging In There!
While billions of our snowflakes are melting into oblivion daily with the blazing March temperatures we’ve been recently experiencing, the good news is that there are still trillions and trillions more snowflakes, waiting in the depths, ready to jump into their roles as Nordic ski trails. You still have a few more days to get your skis on and have a fun Nordic ski.
Today’s grooming began after the sun had begun to soften the fields a bit and covered almost every trail. Double passes were made on Close Field, Moose Loop, and Olympic with fresh classic tracks everywhere. Conditions are a bit variable with a few spots getting quite thin or even melted, but all in all with a little common sense you can still have a great ski. There was even a moderate sized crowd out this morning, all wearing smiles about being able to ski in shirt sleeve weather.
The forecast calls for rain or snow Tuesday with cooler temps Tuesday night, so the next grooming will happen Tuesday evening with the call to proceed beyond that made in that grooming report. Hopefully we can still get another grooming or two in before the end of the month, but we’ll have to see how well those trillions of snowflakes hang around.
Groomer’s choice is sunny trails in the morning and shady trails in the afternoon.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Grooming is finished for the season.
Last Update: 3/26
March 26 was our last day of parks and rec grooming for the season. Thanks for another great year and see you out on the trails next season!
Cache Creek Fat Bike Trails
Last Update: 3/13
I did a pass on all the Cache Creek trails this evening. Things are holding up well but as the temps get above freezing try to avoid using the trails in the late afternoon.
Grooming by Friends of Pathways.
Teton Pines Nordic
Grooming is finished for the season.
Last Update: 3/20
Sunday March 20 was our closing day. Thanks for a great season!!
Shooting Star
Grooming is finished for the season.
Last Update: 3/27
Sunday (3/27) was the final grooming of the season. Be advised that no classic tracks were set due to the icy & shallow profile. Record warmth combined with one of the least snowy winters on record have caused our snowpack to call it a year. Thanks to all the skiers and staff for another great Nordic season at Shooting Star. Fingers crossed that we’ll have a big winter next season!
GCM will begin snow removal on the cart paths beginning Tuesday (3/27) focusing on holes 15,5,16, & 17 which will assist us getting access for several upcoming spring projects. In addition to snow removal via snowblower, we will also be applying black sand to certain areas on the trails to promote melt until we can mechanically remove snow. Skiers are welcome to venture onto the trails Monday and throughout this week but will likely encounter us working and rough conditions from the sand, spring melt & no more grooming. Again, thanks to everyone for all your help with this past Nordic season!
Snake River Sporting Club
Grooming is finished for the season.
Grand Teton National Park
Grooming is finished for the season, the park road is now open for non-motorized recreation.
Grooming is sponsored by the GTNP Foundation and generous donations from our community.
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Grooming is finished for the season.
The lodge is closed for the season and grooming has come to an end. Thanks to all who came out and visited the ranch this winter! The lodge and restaurant will be open for summer activities mid-June.
https://www.turpinmeadowranch.com/the-ranch/live-conditions
https://www.turpinmeadowranch.com | 307.543.2000
Trail Etiquette: Please keep your dogs leashed in the parking lot and be sure to clean up after them!
Grand Targhee
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday
Last Updated: 3/28
Cross Country 15k: XC OPEN
Fat Bike Trails : Open
Snowshoe Trails: Open
Targhee’s Nordic trails are groomed Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sat/Sundays. Fat bike/snowshoe trails are groomed regularly but not on a set schedule – the groomer usually waits until after a storm cycle to groom the single track.
Trail day passes are $20 this winter.
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: 3/27
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Last groomed Friday evening, holding up OK as of Sunday morning. Plan to wait for colder temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday and see if additional grooming is possible. Still skiable other than a few areas on the south facing hill sides.
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 Done for the Season
Last Updated: 3/28
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
We’re done grooming this venue for the season. Thanks for the support, see you next year.
Sherman Park
Grooming Done for the Season
Last Updated: 3/28
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
Going to let it ride from my midday groom yesterday. More people/dogs are walking on the track than We are finished grooming this venue for the season. Thanks for your support. See you next winter.
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Last Updated: 3/28
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Light freeze last night should allow skate track to groom out and ski well this morning. Classic in fair shape from Saturday evening groom.
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday & Sunday
Last Updated: 3/28
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
Another 60 degree day, we haven’t groomed past week. Track still covered and skiable at right time of the day. Once colder weather returns, may groom again but probably done for the season. Thanks for your support. See you next winter.
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Reserve Nordic
Grooming Done for the Season
Last Updated: 3/21
Skate: Not Set | Classic: Not Set
We are done grooming at Teton Reserve for the season. We pulled a bunch of trail stakes last week and it snowed yesterday more than anticipated. We don’t want to groom blind and risk damaging the golf course. Thanks to everyone involved with making this track a reality this winter. We hope you enjoyed the new venue.
No dogs allowed.
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 3/18
Singletrack: Set
Friday evening I was able to groom and set the singletrack on powerline to the top, Nemo, upper and lower Hillbenders. Please ride these trails in the early a.m. and later p.m. when the temperatures are coldest. The forecast has an outlook for incredibly warm temperatures that will not be conducive to riding singletrack mid-day. If you’re leaving a rut turn around. Thank you for your support.
Happy Hour (aka Mike Harris to ID/WY state line)
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Darby Canyon
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 3/16
Groomed to Pinnacle TH only.
Rammell Mountain Road
Grooming Done for the Season
Last Updated: 3/16
Grooming is done for the 21/22 season.
South Leigh Road
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 3/17
Groomed 3/17.
Take Photos of Your Spring Adventures before the Snow Melts!
Submit your best photos of your winter season and your photo could be on the 2022-23 JH Nordic buff. This unique buff is manufactured by a local company, Avalon 7.
The first-place winner will receive 10 of the new buff (value $200) and prizes from JH Nordic Alliance members like Stio, Kate’s Real Food, Friends of Pathways, JD High Country Outfitters, The Hole Hiking Experience, Trilipiderm, Skinny Skis, and more!
Contest deadline: May 1, 2022.
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
