December 24, 2020 – Nature Update
by Cathy Shill founder of The Hole Hiking Experience
www.holehike.com
There is more to life than increasing its speed -Gandhi
Winter begins with the Solstice on December 21, 2020. The shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Sun rises at 7:53 AM and sets at 4:50 PM in Jackson Hole. The week begins warm and ends cold with snow in the forecast. Happy Holidays to all!
The pace of town increases with holiday travelers. Interesting times with the risk of Covid_19 and the bustle of town. Mask ordinance remains in effect. Following guidelines supports us all. If you need a last-minute gift, the Workshop on Deloney Street is worth a visit. It’s a local shop that supports our local artisans has easy access to parking, and very helpful staff. https://workshopjh.com/
As the pace of town increases, trails get busy. Snow is a bit thin due to the recent warm temperatures so touring on a groomed track is helpful. Game Creek near town offers a great option to explore a beautiful protected canyon. Check out the JH Nordic link for grooming schedules: https://jhnordic.com/grooming/ and Nordic Trail Report for daily trail condition & grooming updates.
If you have the time, Moose Creek in the Targhee-Caribou National Forest is less travelled and fun to cross-country or snowshoe. Teton Canyon gets busy but you can’t beat the views and this is also groomed trail. Both trailheads require a drive over Teton Pass. Makes a nice day if weather permits. May be a good week to stay away from the Granite Canyon and Taggart trailheads in Grand Teton Park.
Animals still on the move and we are seeing lots of wildlife on the tours. Always fun to learn about the animals and to join a naturalist to know where to look. Guide, Heather Mathews, grabs a Hawthorne Berry that the bears couldn’t reach. Quite sweet and tasty! The Hole Hiking Experience has been sharing this Ecosystem for over 30 years, so join us to get off the beaten track. www.holehike.com
307.690.4453
Betty Woolsey this Saturday!
Come out this Saturday for a community favorite event. The race is a mellow tour of the trails at Trail Creek in a fun, supportive environment – a perfect addition to your holiday weekend.
This event offers distances for every age and ability, 10 AM start time with 30 second interval start format. Racers can choose from 0.5k, 3k, 5k, and 10k options. There will be no laps or repeating loops to minimize racer overlap.
MASKS must be worn whenever 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained while not actively racing, and at all times when around the Cabin area. DO NOT COME to Trail Creek if you or a member of your household is feeling sick.
There will be no day-of registration, so sign up today by clicking below!
Trail Creek Nordic
Last Updated: 12/23
Saved our Bacon!
The record heat of earlier in the week had kind of done a number on many of our trails, taking our usually pristine December snow and turning it into kind of a crunchy icy mess. However this morning was a complete reversal with the 2-3 inches of fresh cold snow from yesterday thoroughly regenerating our network, possibly even better than before as our base now is definitely rock solid. If you skied yesterday morning, you’ll find a completely different experience today!
Today’s grooming was with the Pisten Bully and was mostly the Betty Woolsey Course. The first pass laid down a nice classic track with the second pass made for the benefit of skate skiers. In addition to the course, the close field was fully groomed in anticipation of a pretty busy practice schedule for the teams this afternoon. There were already several skiers out and about this morning and it promises to be a great day to ski.
Get those registrations in for the Betty Woolsey, click on the preceding link to get to the event page. Registration is online only, the race is interval start, covid protocols are required (specified on the event page), but it should be a great race. Race day forecast now calls or snow beginning around start time so that always makes a classic race super fun.
Groomer’s choice for today is to keep on skiing the Betty Woolsey Course.
Teton Co./Jackson Parks & Rec
Last Updated: 12/23
Game Creek is groomed and in good shape. May park and three creek pathway will not be groomed until more snow. The recent warm spell reduced the bases to a point where we cannot groom them with the snowmobile.
Cache Creek is groomed and in good shape. There is only one small rough area right around the two mile mark, on the steep uphill. It shouldn’t be too big of an issue for skiers. Game Creek will be done around 10:30.
Teton Pines Nordic
Last Updated: 12/19
We are open daily 9am-4pm (closed Christmas Day). We groom 16km of track each morning for both skate and classic skiing. The conditions are great right now and will continue to improve as we get more snow this week.
Please come ready to ski as we do not have an indoor area for getting ready this year. We have lots of covid protocols to keep everyone safe and healthy this season. Please check in with us at our outside window/intercom located on the southside of the Teton Pines Clubhouse. The main Clubhouse upper level/front door is closed to the public. The restaurant is closed to the public this winter as well.
We still have lots of nordic gear in our shop if you need to pick up some last minute gifts for the nordic skiers on your list! We currently have a good selection of sizes in skate gear ( skis/boots/poles) but our classic gear is currently in short supply. We are expecting a small shipment of classic skis around Jan 1. We have a great selection and supply of hats, jackets, pants, socks and gloves by Daehlie, Skida, and Swix. If you want to explore Grand Teton NP and the Jackson Hole area on xc skis, we carry the must have xc ski trail guidebook for our region in the shop: https://www.facebook.com/SkiYellowstone
Please call or email Cody for more details: (307) 733-1733 or tetonpinesxc@gmail.com
Shooting Star
Last Updated: 12/23
After an eventful week of humbling weather, it appears that conditions have finally calmed and should bring plenty of holiday joy through Friday. The surfaces are mostly smooth, but skiers may encounter icy & soft sections due to currently thin and unusual snowpack. Lastly, the Sled Hill was groomed today and we hope to touch it up again after the next snow event, which the forecast is calling for more accumulations this Saturday.
Please see the Following Nordic Restrictions:
- Dog Loops & All Nordic Skiing Trails OPEN
- Sled Hill OPEN (Will be Groomed Again once more Snow Returns)
- Classic Tracks SET
- Snow Shoeing Loop CLOSED UNTIL MORE SNOW
- Casual Walking Not Permitted
- Early Season Conditions
- Grooming is currently via snowmobile and Pistenbully
- **SKI W/Caution!!… Current Depths and Coverage are Very Deceiving
Next Update will be this Saturday 12/26. Soak up the sunshine and Enjoy!
Teton Village Pathway
Last Updated: 12/23
Teton village pathway – from Lake Creek Bridge north to the end of bike path/GTNP south entrance groomed today. Thanks to JHMR for the grooming and Teton Village Association for making it happen!
Grand Teton National Park
Last Updated: 12/23
Due to Christmas and New Year’s Day falling on a Friday this year, Grand Teton Park Foundation has provided the following modifications to the grooming schedule for Teton Park Road:
Friday 12/25 — No grooming
Sunday 12/27 — Grooming to 4 passes x4 miles Taggart to south Jenny
Tuesday 12/29 — Grooming to Signal Mountain AND 4x to South Jenny
Friday 1/1 — No grooming.
Sunday 1/3 — Grooming 4x to South Jenny
Tuesday 1/5 Grooming to Signal Mountain AND 4x to South Jenny
[Back to regular schedule after 1/5]
Remember that dogs must be on leash, and are only allowed on the groomed trail in the section of GTNP.Please consider making a donation to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation for funding winter grooming -one of our most iconic trails. Note “Nordic grooming” on your donation.
Turpin Meadow Ranch
Last Updated: 12/22
Our trails are shaping up perfectly! We’ve received quite a few inches of snow this afternoon and expect more overnight. This will fill in all remaining trouble spots nicely. We will groom with the Pisten Bully this morning (12/23) and all trails should lay down nicely with the new snow. We expect the trails to firm up nicely with colder temps on the way. We groom trails everyday. Come out to Turpin to escape the crowds! Bring your dog!
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. To keep an eye on live conditions, check out the webcams here.
Grand Targhee
Last Updated: 12/23
XC OPEN (Last groomed 12/22/2020) 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: 12/23
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
I smoothed out the skate lanes after yesterday’s wind and drifting. There was about 1″ of drifted snow which I packed down with the ginzu. I tried to set the classic track, but with mixed results. In some spots it looked good, in others there wasn’t enough new snow over the crust to reset it.
Please do not park in the library parking lot.
Driggs
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Last Updated: 12/23
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
Groomed out better than expected with the thaw early this week. Some grass remains and maybe a rock here or there.
Sherman Park
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Last Updated: 12/23
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
Rolled the skate track. Not enough snow to set classic track. Some sage and grass poking through. Nice firm surface. Could probably have a pretty good ski out there today.
Teton Canyon
Grooming Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
Last Updated: 12/23
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
A few inches of cold snow should groom out nicely this morning. Plan to reset both skate and classic tracks. Finish by 10am.
Southern Valley Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
Last Updated: 12/22
Skate: Set | Classic: Not Set
Groomed campgrounds and yeti’s loops. I was not able to reset the classic track today. Enjoy the glide!
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Teton Springs Nordic
Grooming Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
Last Updated: 12/21
Skate: Set | Classic: Set
The snow is melting rapidly 😞 Dirt and grass is starting to become visible. We did set a new classic track, but watch out for the brown spots.
No dogs allowed.
5th Street Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/17
Singletrack: Set
Late Thursday – Twas a week before Christmas when all through the 5th St. the ditches were filled and checked off his list, so St. Nick took his sled and gave us a groom. Then I in my post work haze did arise and rode in laps until the demise of my thighs. On Friday go ski out some powder then go grab your bike! It’s the best that it’s been before the Holidays strike!
Southern Valley Singletrack
Grooming Schedule: As needed
Last Updated: 12/21
Singletrack: Set
Derrick and I plan to head out this evening after 5pm to groom the singletrack trails. Please be aware of machinery on the trials and allow time for them to setup. Happy hour, Powerline and Sherman Springs access have been groomed with the V plow. All other singletrack trails we’re groomed four nights ago and are now rider packed. Enjoy the ride!
No dogs December 1 – April 15.
Betty Woolsey Classic Nordic Race- 0.5k, 3k, 5k, 10k
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26th | TRAIL CREEK
Register with the JH Ski Club. A community favorite, honoring Betty Woolsey of Trail Creek Ranch. All ages welcome, interval start. Come dressed to ski and wear a mask!
JH Nordic Recreation Masters Clinics
THURSDAY, JANUARY 7th | TETON PINES
The third of eight in the clinic series featuring classic XC ski. Sessions run bi-weekly from 11:00am – 12:30pm through March 18th, alternating between skate skiing and classic cross-country.
CANCELLED
JH Nordic Alliance Annual Free Nordic Ski, Fat Bike, Snowshoe Event
Based on our goal to Recreate Responsibly, the JH Nordic Alliance has decided to cancel this season’s Annual Free Winter Trails Nordic, Fat Bike and Snowshoe Event. Stay tuned for January 2022! In the meantime, we encourage you to get out safely, responsibly, wear a mask, keep your groups small, and space out!
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
