Looking for Teton Pass Closure Updates and Information? Teton County has an engage page with current news and links in English and Spanish. Or visit JH News & Guide or Buckrail for the latest news.
The Solstice is Coming!
Although the summer solstice is almost here, the energy from a memorable winter of US Skiing success is still high. There is a saying among the racing crowd that “fast skiers are made in the summer.” We are giving a shout out to the strong work and caliber of coaching at the Jackson Hole Ski Club contributing not only to fast skiers in our local community but to the greater Nordic community in the region and across the nation. The National Nordic Foundation (NNF) sponsors a series of elite training camps (known as REG) in partnership with US Ski and Snowboard. “The U16 National Camp, which has successfully expanded on this REG model to reach more skiers at a younger age group, brings the best young skiers in the country to train together for the first time ever, and this year will be held at Jackson Hole, Wyoming… bringing skiers together around fun development opportunities as a national ski community.” Well done, coaches, JHSC leadership, athletes, parents and community!
And if you are not under 16, and not compelled to plan a summer of training to compete with the top Nordic racers in the region, you can still boost next winter’s enjoyment on your skis with a few summer activities:
• for the super-motivated – try bounding, or hiking with trekking poles
• for the pretty-coordinated – the paths in Jackson and Grand Teton National Park are some of the best anywhere for rollerskiing. There are many useful videos on YouTube if you want to explore rollerskiing.
• and for everyone – basic balance moves or toe raises while you brush your teeth are still valuable for building muscle memory.
Learn more about summer training tips in our blog: How to Train in the Summer.
June Nature News: Discover Renewal and Rebirth in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Provided by The Hole Hiking Experience
June is a time for brilliant hues of green in Jackson Hole. As the trees leaf out and plants begin to grow, it’s fun to watch the mosaic of greens climb up from the valley floor and into the mountains to meet the snow line. New leaves are their brightest shade of green before the protective cuticle, or outer layer, forms. Spring flowers are filling the meadows at lower elevations while snow still dominates the landscape at higher elevations. It’s birthing season: young ravens can be heard calling from their nests, bluebirds are laying eggs, Chickadees are mating, wobbly young bison and moose are suckling, elk and deer will be calving soon, and it’s mating season for bears. Nature is abuzz with renewal and rebirth.
Trail Suggestion
Snow and muddy trails will limit options in the higher elevations. Hiking at the base of the Tetons around Jenny Lake or the Taggart/Bradley Lake area is a great early season option. The Valley Trail travels along the base of the Tetons as well. I like the Death Canyon to Granite Canyon stretch. You can run a car shuttle with your hiking partner. For another option, consider heading south to Byron Flats/Willow Creek to find dry trails to enjoy. Happy hiking!
Summer Activities in the Tetons
HIKING?
Even though the there is no snow, you can still use all of the GPS maps, directions and descriptions on our Trails pages to inspire hiking ideas! In early summer, aim for lower elevation, south facing trails. Search out dry trails, and if you encounter mud, try to stay on the existing trail instead of walking around the edge, which can widen a trail over time. A few early season favorites:
Phelps Lake -from Death Canyon trailhead
Shadow Mountain
Bradley and Taggart Lakes
For summer-specific ways to bring good trail habits with you as you explore, head over to Friends of the Bridger Teton or the GTNP Foundation. You can also check out LNT.org for a 45 minute online course to support backcountry travel and camping practices for any region you may visit this summer. Recreating responsibly is a year-round good idea.
BIKING?
Head over to the new community resource of Velo22.org for info on road, gravel and mountain biking fun. Spearheaded by a local lover of all things biking, there are pages for events, group rides and local routes.
You can also find trail ideas and conditions for biking (hiking and horse riding too!) on the Friend’s of Pathways Trail Updates page.
WORKING IN THE GARDEN?
Remember your sunscreen (we love using local favorite, Trilipiderm) and visit Teton County Weed & Pest Resources for information on which native plants might thrive in your yard or ideas on decreasing the opportunities for mosquitoes to thrive.
We are already starting to populate the winter calendar with events, https://jhnordic.com/events/, and right around the corner is the Skinny Skis – JHSC 4th of July 10K Run.
Come celebrate the 50 year partnership of Skinny Skis and JHSC!
This race is for all ages and abilities with timed 10K and 5K runs and an untimed 5k walk. This race has a participant limit and will sell out, so don’t delay in signing up. What a great way to start off your holiday!
Proceeds from this 4th of July community run benefit the Jackson Hole Ski Club.
