June Trail Report
-Edwin Curran
Hello friends, the summer solstice and longest day of the year is around the corner. It is hard to believe that in a few days things begin to shift back towards winter, lucky for us it is a long transition. Enjoy those lengthy summer days, we’ve got many ahead of us. Today while my windows were wide open I was contemplating the differences between summer and winter. How I love the magic of winter; the quiet time to renew and restore, and opportunities to glide over snow! But summer brings another kind of magic: easy weather, abundant energy, birdsong and FLOWERS! I hope this newsletter finds you well and inspires you to get out and look closely at all of the curious things summer delivers.
At a Glance
• There’s a Tom Petty song for this…
• Bear Spray, a bare necessity
• Partner Spotlight and an event tomorrow in Teton Valley
• E-Bikes at Grand Targhee
• Community Shout Outs, You People are Incredible!
You Belong Among the Wildflowers…
Wildflowers are abundant this time of year, turning the valley floors, forests and hillsides into gorgeous bouquets. Regularly getting out on trails allows you to watch the blooms go through their entire life cycle of budding, flowering, and going to seed. A fun challenge, should you choose to accept, is to pick a trail and commit to getting out on it at least bi-weekly to look for the subtle changes that occur through the summer season. Some flowers make a quick appearance, like western spring beauty, while others are around for much of the season, like sticky geranium. Every flower will bloom and eventually go to seed, affirming that change is the only constant. Be on the look out for edible berries which is a flower gone to seed. Wild strawberries should be ripening about now. Get outside and get to know the local flora, it is enchanting!
The photos above are to illustrate the life cycle of Prairie Smoke, also known as “old man’s whiskers”. I prefer the name prairie smoke because of the story that goes along with the name. In the first photo the flowers look like embers and as they go to seed they transform into what could be imagined as wisps of smoke.
As the Tom Petty song goes, “you belong among the wildflowers…” The floral display never disappoints at Bradley and Taggart Lakes in Grand Teton National Park. If you want to bring your dog while “sniffing the roses” check out the trails off of the Cliff Creek Road south of Hoback. And for those looking to see the music of the ground in Teton Valley, check out Moose Creek.
Bear Spray, Why You Need it, Where to Get it
Last week I went for a hike in the Buffalo Valley. I was walking my dogs on the Bridger-Teton National Forest when all of a sudden a small grizzly bear went bounding across the trail in front of me. My dogs were off leash and I called them back immediately while fixing my eyes on where the bear had gone. I slowly backed back down the trail, dogs at my side, my hand on my bear spray. In the meantime I heard a loud sniffing sound from where the bear had come. I never saw another bear but my instincts told me there was another one nearby. My scalp became tingly as the small bear came running back towards where it had originated from. Thankfully that is the whole story: I saw a bear, I called my dogs back, we quickly turned around, chose a different route for the day, and I never had to use the bear spray I was carrying with me.
When carrying bear spray, it’s important to remember that it is a weapon. It is not meant to be used on well-behaving bears just doing “bear stuff.” The encounter above was startling but never threatening.
There are a few of situations where deploying bear spray would be appropriate. The most obvious is a charging bear. Another may be if a bear in the area you are hiking begins acting in a predatory or threatening manner. A third would be a bear that has invaded your campsite looking for food and other goodies during a camping trip.
Bear spray has been shown to be 92% effective in deterring bear attacks. In fact, 98% of people carrying bear spray who got into close encounters with bears were uninjured. (Consequently, firearms are only 55% effective in deterring bear attacks.) (Smith et al., 2006)
Partner Spotlight: Westside Ski and Cycle, Event Tomorrow!
Westside Ski and Cycle has moved and are open daily from 10am-6pm all summer. They offer efficient and affordable bike service and repair, diverse retail bike and accessory sales, high quality rentals + their signature delivery service and expert guided tours and coaching on public lands. Plus you can look forward to a full service ski shop this winter!
Happening Tomorrow, Thursday, June 18: Community Open House
Join Westside Ski and Cycle for an Open House 4-6:30 PM before Music on Main! Check out their new location (255 South Main St. Victor), enjoy a bevvie and get a free safety check!
E-Bikes at Grand Targhee
Grand Targhee will be allowing the use of e-bikes on select terrain at the resort. This summer, Targhee will welcome pedal assist bikes (no-throttle) in the Rick’s Basin area and trails west of the parking lots (see map for details). E-bikes WILL NOT be permitted on any of Targhee’s downhill trails, or on the trails south of the resort heading towards Mill Creek. Please review the map and heed on-mountain signage for information on directional trails in Rick’s Basin (More Cowbell, Perma-Grin & Quakie Ridge).
To bring your e-bikes on the Targhee trail network, they ask that riders sign the waiver found on the “E-Bike Policy” page on their website.
Grand Targhee is proud to be among the first resorts to encourage responsible cross-country e-bike access. By riding with courtesy and awareness, you help ensure these trails remain welcoming for everyone. BE SMART. RIDE RESPECTFULLY.
Cool People Doing Cool Things
Shout outs!
To Rob Murphy and Mark Newcomb for getting after it on roller skis!
We spied Rob from our car window in his high viz pink shirt double poling up the grunt of a hill on the bike path from Wilson to Trail Creek. Strong Work!
And Mark brought his roller skis over the pass and took the opportunity to ski on the paved pathway from Trail Creek Campground to Mike Harris and back. He reports some strategy, taking his skis off to walk back down the steepest hills on the return to Trail Creek Campground. Smart Work!
To all the folks who worked on Save Teton Pass Trail!
Which brings us to the entire crew leading the charge and contributing support to the Save Teton Pass Trail! There was a short ceremony in late May at Trail Creek Campground to celebrate this incredible community collaboration effort to extend the pathway from Trail Creek Campground towards Coal Creek. Thank you to the many folks who have been working diligently to make this happen – Excellent Work!
Have you been on an adventure this summer you’d like to share with our community? Or have you spotted a Nordie in the wild this summer? If you’re willing, take a picture and share with us at [email protected] to be featured in future shout outs of cool people doing cool things!
Go have fun outside!
Connecting people and trails with community support.
