Wildlife Wednesdays with Ecotour Adventures
Research Revealed: A striking relationship between wolves and parasites
Written by ETA Naturalist @kels_wellington
Once a month, ETA plans to publish a new post for blog readers about new or recent scientific findings or pieces of news from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. We hope this inspires curiosity among our readers!
For the inaugural post, we are sharing a very exciting discovery from a world that is invisible to the naked eye, and its effect on a very popular mammal in the GYE. Even the most microscopic of creatures can influence its ecosystem! A new study published in the journal Communications Biology has revealed that a gray wolf infected with the parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii is almost twice as likely to become a pack leader than a non-infected wolf. Curious to learn more? Head to the Ecotour Adventures blog to read up on the exciting new findings!
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: 12/6
The Business End!
What you’re looking at in the image above is the tiller on the Husky doing what it does best, tilling up snow so that it can be compacted into some really nice skiing. The tiller is a pretty amazing tool as the speed, depth, and down pressure can all be simply adjusted with combinations of buttons, dials, and toggle switches in the cab; one of the more important components of turning out lots of great Nordic skiing.
Today’s grooming with the Husky covered pretty much every trail in the network. The Close Field, Animal Farm, Moose Loop, and Armin’s all received multiple passes and fresh classic tracks were placed pretty much universally. Snowfall was happening all through grooming this morning with up to 4 inches falling. Skiing is nice but a little soft.
Looking ahead, the high school racers are off to Laramie and the IMD racers are off to Sun Valley this weekend, which means that our local Nordic skiers will have a three day weekend with minimal training happening on Friday. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to get your ski in this weekend.
Groomer’s choice for today is the Close Field.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Grooming Today: Cache Creek, Game Creek, May Park, South Park Pathway
Last Update: 12/6
The school fields and the levee are groomed and in great shape. Stilson will be done around 11:00.
Cache Creek
Last Update: 12/2
I did a lap last night and another this morning. The trails should be in good shape for the break in the snow.
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: 12/6
Classic Track: Not Set | Fat Bike Trails: Open | Snowshoe Trails: Open
A few fresh inches in the last 24 hours with more on the way throughout the day. Colder, lighter snow sits on top of a dense layer of snow from a warmer weekend. 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: 12/6
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Randy rolled the track Monday night. Today, I plan to set classic on south loops and possibly north loops depending on conditions. Will start around 9am.
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: 12/5
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
Both Skating and classic tracks have been set before 11am Monday morning. Still some shrubbery stoking through but should ski really nice. Watch out over by school and corral as it could be a little bumpy and rocky from the fireworks zone. Walking m/single track was put in with sled but smoothed out and could use a night to set. Please watch your dogs and pick up after them. Ran over a couple of 💩
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
