September has been glorious. Days have been dominated by sun and warmth with occasional overnight frost. We have received some snow in the high country but it only remained on the north facing slopes and has basically melted. Hiking and climbing options abound with stellar clear skies, few bugs, and great mountain views. It is a great time of the year to be in Jackson with endless recreational choices, beautiful fall colors and great wildlife opportunities. But now the forecast calls for change with a predicted rain/snow mix. The last day of the month proved cool and wet.

I did summit the Grand Teton on September 17. It was AWESOME! I climbed with my husband, Rustin, and senior Exum Guide, Kent McBride. After living in the area for over twenty years it was breathtaking to see the valley from our highest peak, 13,770 feet. We climbed the upper Exum ridge and I truly recommend the experience. Learning to climb is great fun. You can’t beat the views and the excursion is challenging but doable with a great guide.

Kent McBride is a local with years of climbing and skiing experience. He shares his knowledge with grace and confidence. While teaching us the art of climbing with the focus of safety, he shared local history, made us laugh, and pointed out the mountain terrain. You can’t beat the endless places we have to explore whether climbing or skiing and Kent has the expertise to make the trip memorable and fun. If you do want to reach Kent, send him an email l. Mother Nature was kind to us and gave us a stellar day with little wind and clear skies. Fond memories were made and I will always look at the Grand Teton a bit differently after standing on the top.

Nature is definitely on the move. Birds are flocking and migrating to their winter territories. Elk and moose are mating with the evening hours filled with the eerie elk bugle. Pronghorn antelope are in harems with the buck standing majestically over his females.

The Pronghorn, Antilocapra americana, is native only to North America. Both males and females have horns and the bucks are fairly easy to pick out of the herd since they have the pronged horn. Females have unbranched horns usually shorter than their ears. The pronghorn mate in the early fall and will soon begin their long migration to southern places in the state. They can migrate over 200 miles to windswept plains and exposed sagebrush.

The sky is filled with a smoky haze since a few different fires burn in the area- some controlled burns, some lightning fires and some due to camper’s neglect. The warmer afternoon temperatures cause them to build and billow and then they dampen at night with the cool evening air. Fire is very important in our dry climate and is Mother Nature’s way of rejuvenating the forest. This is a very important process with many old trees and insect infestations. Important nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorous, are byproducts of fire so replenish the soil and spur new growth. Fire burns in a healthy way if it doesn’t get too much fuel becoming uncontrollable and wild. When you see the large dark cloud of smoke, it is important to remember the significant role fire plays to keep the forest healthy. I do know that fire is affecting road closures in Yellowstone so look for the latest update if you will be visiting this fall.

The autumnal equinox was September 22-day and night of equal lengths. The changes in light as days continue to shorten signals the upcoming season of winter. Species prepare. Change is coming.

What’s in the woods-
9/2- Pole Canyon- Stellar jay, Indian paintbrush, larkspur
9/7- Victor, ID- great horned owl calling
9/9- Darby Canyon- mature rose hips
9/11-Paintbrush/Cascade Canyon- grass of Parnassus, monkey flower, larkspur, glacier lily seed pods, clark’s nutcracker
Bald Eagle by String Lake!
9/13- Moose Creek- large Aspen tree with bear scratches covering its’ trunk and beaver browse at the bottom- cool
9/16- Garnet Canyon- picas, shrubby goldenweed, monkeyflower, raspberries
9/17- summitted Grand Teton- spectacular day!
9/20- Teton Pass- two bull moose
9/25- Yellowstone Park- fires burning, bald eagle, pronghorn, bison, elk, mule deer
9/26- Boiling River- American Dipper
9/29- Fox Creek- leafy aster, mature rose hips

Tour Suggestion-
A fall favorite of mine is a visit to the Boiling River in Yellowstone. It is a natural hot springs where the hot boiling river from the Mammoth Terraces mixes with the Gardiner River. You relax and soak where the hot and cold waters meet. It is very refreshing and natural with the feeling of touching the center of the earth. Yellowstone is geologically active with the hot spot beneath it so you are soaking in waters heated deep within the earth. It is wonderful. To reach this special spot, you drive out of Mammoth towards Gardiner, MT. As you leave the town, you wind down near employee housing, as the road turns north look for your next pull out on the right. It is a parking area with an informational sign about the hot water. You walk down the path along the Gardiner River and you can’t miss the hot water seeping out of the earth, the alluring steam, or the happy faces of fellow soakers. All you need are river shoes, bathing suit and towel. It’s a bit slippery when you climb in but there is plenty of space. This is a great fall adventure since the water is too high in the spring to enjoy safely. Have fun and listen for the elk bugle while traveling through the park.

Experience nature! Join us to make the most of your Jackson Hole visit! Our tours are educational, inspirational, and fun for all ages. Visit our web site.

Popularity: 5% [?]

It’s the last week of August. I sit at my desk and listen to the rain softly fall on the leaves and the plants below. It whispers change and possible snow in the mountains. It is soft, light as a feather, consistent and peaceful. This month has seen diverse weather. We have reached 87 degrees and snow has fallen in the mountains. It is a month of contrast. Hot days but also frosty nights. Day length shortens, change begins, geese fly in formation, blue birds’ flock…they ask, ‘should we go or stay’?

Nature continues to flourish but there are some fall colors in the plant world. At lower elevations, the vegetation is beginning to pass and turn color but you can still find fields of yampah and blooming asters. Yampah was a great food source for the local people. It has a sweet, nutty flavored root and I have fond memories of smiling boys as they dig in the soil with their new knives bought on their first trip to Yellowstone. They dig to find the treasure. You have to be gentle and massage the soil so it will release its’ grip and give you the small and tasty tuber.

I would classify August as berry season. I have tasted succulent huckleberries, service berries, choke cherries, gooseberries, currents and thimble berries. Tasty treats as you hike along. Since we have had so much moisture, we also have great berries. Huckleberries are found in the lodge pole pine forest. The bush grows about 1-5 feet tall with thin, bright green, ¾-2” long, finely toothed leaves that turn red or purple in the fall. They are a great source of vitamin C and tasty! You can also eat the leaves. They are similar to blueberries and you have to decide which you like better.

I did get the excitement of running into a black bear. He or she was walking with a purpose and certainly was enjoying the freedom of the trail. We stopped and it kept coming. We moved off the trail but couldn’t get that far since the bear was walking at a consistent clip. Before it crossed our path, it jumped off the trail and went around the opposite side. It was interesting to watch because it did ensure its’ “personal space”- the distance it needed between us. We did have our bear spray out but it wasn’t needed. The bear had its’ plan. We shared the trail and off it went. It happened so fast- here one minute and gone the next. We warned the approaching hikers but my guess is the bear was long gone.

I did hear about a small bear in the String Lake area. The rangers are trying to protect the bear from all the people who were grilling hamburgers and leaving bags of chips lying around. I am sure you have heard of the saying, “a fed bear is a dead bear.” Most bears are naturally afraid of people but if they get fed, they lose that fear with the desire for hamburgers. I hope the bear survives. We all need to be extra careful in bear country to keep our food safely stored so they don’t get a reward and become habituated.

I also saw the cutest pine marten!  They are carnivores and in the weasel family. They might be cute but they are also feisty!

July and August have been busy months in Jackson. With our wet June, the summer season took time to start but these last two months have been hopping. Our visitation is down, but business’ seem to be doing alright. People do come to visit the parks and you can’t beat this area with all the protected land, wild animals, and fun things to do.  September will mean cooler temperatures, fall colors, the mystical elk bugle, and a slower pace in the Tetons. I am ready for the change.

What’s in the woods-
8/1- fresh huckleberries
8/8- Moose Creek- fields of yampah, Indian paintbrush, berries,
8/9- snow in the Tetons
8/10- grey, cool, overcast
8/11- Shadow Mountain- fields of yampah, harebell, geranium, ripe serviceberry, fireweed, bull moose
8/14-Grand Teton National Park- pipsissewa, female mule deer, james saxifrage, monkey-flower, golden eye, townsendia, moss campion
8/15-Pole Canyon- monkshood, white angelica, cone flower, erigeron, leafy aster, red squirrel, chickadee, nuthatch
8/17- Highway 22- bald eagle in power pole
8/19- Jackson, WY- Geese flying in formation, cool, overnight frost
8/20- Victor, ID- flock of mountain bluebirds
8/21- Ski Lake- ripe huckleberries, yampah, yarrow, horsemint, Indian paintbrush, Hot- 87 degrees
8/22- Paintbrush Canyon- huckleberries, grass of parnassius, elephant head, monkey flower, englemann aster, thick stem aster, black bear!
8/23- Victor, ID- rabbit brush
8/25- Blue Miner Lake- thickstem aster, lupine, pine marten!, bear tracks, clark’s nutcrackers

Trail Suggestion-
One of my favorite summer hikes is Table Mountain in Teton Canyon. You do have to drive over Teton Pass to access the trail but it is well worth it. The entire distance is 12.8 miles round trip with 4100 feet elevation gain. The hike has beautiful meadows and forested areas with a few stream crossings. It is a great area to explore whether you summit the mountain or not. The summit is directly across from the Grand, Middle and South Teton so you can’t beat the views. To access the trailhead, you drive up and over Teton Pass on Highway 22 and continue north to Driggs, Idaho. The highway number does change to Highway 33 as cross the state line. When you reach Driggs, you turn right at the lighted intersection and drive to Alta, WY. After you drive through Alta, you will see the sign and the right turn to Teton Canyon. You drive 4.4 miles to the trailhead. The first climb is a bit steep but then the trail mellows so it does suit all abilities based on how far you want to go. Have fun, be prepared and enjoy the time in this magnificent country!

Experience nature! Join us to make the most of your Jackson Hole visit! Our tours are educational, inspirational, and fun for all ages. Visit The Hole Hiking Experience.

Popularity: 8% [?]

July. A spectacular month with sunny days, occasional showers, fields of wildflowers, and healthy wildlife. It is truly perfect in every way. You can’t beat waking to cool forty degree temperatures with the warmth of the sun on your face. You know by mid-afternoon temperatures will be in the eighties as the sun warms the earth. As the day draws to a close, the sun sets late in the evening as the coolness envelops the land once again.  Oh, the mountain life. After 20 plus summers in the area, I have to admit this month has been a spectacular one. The rain in June has made the vegetation flourish so by the end of July, the mountains are a mosaic of color and outdoor adventures are filled with endless wildflowers, possible wildlife sightings, blue azure skies, and vibrant energy.

July would be considered the peak month for wildflowers. It is the time of the season that the snow releases its hold on most mountain aspects so the new blooms can mature and flourish. Granted we do still have more snow in the mountains this summer than most, but alpine flowers are growing at tree line and blooms can be found at all elevations. Soil is a main deciding factor as to where flowers will grow. They also need sufficient sunlight and moisture. As you hike, you will see meadows of different species as conditions permit a particular plant to grow and flourish.

Seeds can remain dormant on the forest floor until conditions are right for germination. Since we are having such a perfect summer with afternoon showers and normal temperatures, seeds are sprouting everywhere! I have seen a lot of spotted coralroot which is an orchid that grows well in wooded sites. I have also seen glorious mountain hollyhocks, fields of columbine, cushion mats of moss campion at treeline, alpine sunflower, and endless osha/fern leaved lovage (ligisticum filicinum). Osha is a western species with anti-viral properties. At every turn on the hiking trail, colors abound, butterflies float, birds feed, and maybe the moose stops to watch you as you come to share her meadow.

Mushrooms are also present this summer. I have seen so many varieties and need to get better at identifying them. It amazes me how an invisible branched web called a mycelium can produce a fruiting body, a mushroom, when the perfect conditions permit. It takes just the right amount of moisture and sunlight for the mushrooms to emerge. Our red squirrels enjoy the mushrooms and many tree species are dependant on this fungal part of the forest.

The birds are a bit quieter now that the young have fledged. To fledge means acquiring the feathers and wing muscles necessary for flight. I have seen robins learning how to forage and fend for themselves. I also saw our resident house wrens vocalizing at one of their chicks. I am unsure what the young one did, but it certainly had the attention of its’ parents J.

Watching the house wrens has certainly been a summer highlight.  Both adults tend the nest and the young are born immobile, downless, eyes closed and dependant on the adults for food. This degree of development upon hatching is referred to as altricial. I was continuously buzzed by an adult as they raced from the nesting box to catch the next insect and feed their calling chicks. In about two weeks the chicks fledge and leave the nest but they are still near our yard and fun to watch.

Mid-summer…what a glorious time to be outdoors. Take the time to walk barefoot in the grass, connect to the earth, and feel Mother Nature. She supports us from the ground up. Breathe big, into the blue sky, fill your being, feel the support. From above and below, nature supports us. Take time to walk, clear your head, be present.

What’s in the woods-
7/2- house wren chicks fledged
7/4- robin chicks fledged, maybe second brood
7/5- Sleeping Indian- alpine forget-me-nots, alpine sunflower, moss campion, big horn sheep in alpine environment
7/7- Munger Mountain- flowers peaking between 6400-7500 feet- osha, parrot’s beak, lupine, geranium, hellbore, scarlet gilia, Indian paintbrush, sunflower, mule’s ear, common blue, fritillary, wood satyr, swallowtail butterflies.
7/11-Atherton Creek- evening primrose
7/13- Victor, ID- young hawk returned to nest
7/14- Victor, ID- sego lilies! in sage flats
7/19- Munger Mountain- American white pelicans
7/20- Shadow Mountain- bull bison, white crowned sparrow, flax, geranium, gentian,
7/21-Grand Teton Park- black bear and two cubs
7/22-Grand Teton Park- about 70 cow elk and calf coming off river and moving to forest
7/24- Teton Canyon- glacier lily, columbine, osha, lupine, geranium, parry’s primrose, fields of wildflowers!, moss campion, old man of the mountain sunflower, cow moose
7/27-Ski Lake- Indian paintbrush, hollyhock, cone flower, mountain cicely, horsemint, lousewort, geranium, sunflowers
7/28-Shadow Mountain- bull bison, mountain bluebird
7/31- Victor, ID- bald eagle on connie’s pond

Tour Suggestion-
Right now the flowers are amazing at 8000 feet and above. The ridge walk out to Black Canyon overlook is spectacular. It is easy to moderate and you drive to the top of Teton Pass on Highway 22 and start on the trail south of the road. You can walk out to Mt. Elly and it is about 3.0 miles round trip with about 600 feet elevation gain. If you are hiking in Grand Teton Park, I would explore the LSR preserve which is beautiful and limited with the number of people. It has many hiking options with varying lengths and you can even continue into Death Canyon after visiting Phelps Lake. The LSR preserve is on the Moose-Wilson Road north of Teton Village. If you want to do a longer hike, you have endless options- some of my favorites are Lake Solitude, Amphitheater Lake, Holly Lake and Granite Canyon. These are all in Grand Teton Park and you can obtain directions and information at the Moose Visitor Center. Have fun, be prepared, and enjoy this glorious season!

Experience nature! Join us to make the most of your Jackson Hole visit! Our tours are educational, inspirational, and fun for all ages. Visit the Hole Hiking Experience.

Popularity: 7% [?]

morels

Nature News-
June has been a wet month and is our third wettest on record.  We have received 3.75 inches of rain with 1.65 inches being average. Some species thrive in wet conditions and some have challenges. Morels seemed to like the mix of rain and sun. We do have fewer flying insects so fewer swallows.  Vegetation has been and continues to be glorious so herbivores are happy. The endless rain made it tough on visitors, farmers, boaters and other recreationists but now the sun is shining and the trails are clearing of snow.

At this time of the year, you can witness the transition of the plant world. As you go higher in elevation, you can physically see the change from a winter landscape to a blooming summer meadow. The foothills and sage habitats are filled with flowers. As you begin to ascend into the montane zone (between 6800-9000 feet), you still come across some patches of snow and a mix of blooms. You might see the first flowers- the buttercups, spring beauty and yellow bell lily and also some of the earlier summer blooms -lupine, larkspur, geranium, and nine-leaved desert parsley. The subalpine and alpine zones (9000 feet to treeline) are still mainly snow covered but each day of warmth brings change. The rivers are still high with sediment found in the streams. Peak water is occurring now.

camas and wyethia

I had the opportunity to explore the Squirrel Meadows area on the Reclamation/Grassy Lake Road north in the valley. It was a main route to the Yellowstone Area during the early 1900’s. It goes from Ashton, Idaho to the Flagg Ranch area in Yellowstone. Visitors would take the train to Ashton then travel on a stagecoach to get to the park. The land is now mainly protected and supports many of the larger predators in the area, specifically the Grizzly Bear.

We enjoyed a day of spring flowers and saw fields of Blue Camas and white Wyethia. Blue Camas was a main food source for the native peoples in this area. They would roast the bulbs preserving them for winter. A favorite camping spot was the shores of Jackson Lake. We even saw the carnivorous plant- the sundew, Drosera rotundifolia. It is a tiny, insect eating perennial herb and also used to treat respiratory tract problems.

June 20 was the summer solstice which is the longest day of light. We align with light to celebrate summer. We align with nature. Time is something we have instilled in our lives so it is nice to live with the light. Rise at dawn, and go to bed at dusk. When we align with the solstice and recognize summer, it does increase the support of nature. Energy is high. Step outside and breathe and you will feel it. Nature supports us. To delve a bit deeper, focus on your breath, quiet your mind, and feel the spaciousness.

Happy summer to all…..

What’s in the woods-
First week of June- young hawks in nest, robins feeding young, magpies on nest,
6/3- Victor, ID- vetch
6/8-Gros Ventre Slide- clematis, gromwell, twinflower honeysuckle
6/8 Victor, ID- swainson’s hawk, mountain bluebird, calliope hummingbird, long leaved phlox, stemless goldenweed, larkspur
6/8- week of… rainy and cool
6/9- Moose Creek- about 30 orchids!- calypso bulbosa, glacier lily, clematis- virgin’s bower, geranium, forget-me-nots, bluebells, arnica
6/9- Victor, ID- cottonwoods found morels!
6/12-Darby Canyon-lazuli bunting, hummingbird
6/13-Grove Creek- clematis, bluebells, serviceberry, chokecherry, black hawthorn, hoary balsamroot, arrowleaf balsamroot, lomatium, lupine, larkspur
6/16- Reclamation Road, Loon Lake, Squirrel Meadows- sundew- carnivorous plant, wyethia, camas, glacier lily, leopard lily, buttercup, lomatium, buckbean, leathery grapefern
6/19- house wrens actively feeding chicks
6/20-summer solstice- rainy and cool
6/26- teton Village- striped coralroot, flax, scarlet gilia
6/27-Victor, ID- salsify, toadflax, scarlet gilia, green gentian
6/28-Palisades Reservoir- bald eagle, osprey, western grebe, mules ear, geranium

carnivorous sundew

Trail Suggestion-
Options are certainly endless at this time of the year. Park trails are well marked but can be a bit crowded. I really like to explore the national forest since the areas are spectacular and less crowded in July and August. Snow is still an issue but it is quickly melting. A few favorites are Taylor Mountain up Coal Creek in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Ski Lake in the southern Tetons, and Goodwin Lake in the Gros Ventre Range. Both Ski Lake and Goodwin Lake are in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. If you want specific directions or insight on a particular hike, let me know. Have fun and remember to be prepared. Summer storms can come in fast and furious.

I did receive the rainfall information from Mountain Weather. It is a great resource for the weather in our area.

Experience nature! Join us to make the most of your Jackson Hole visit! Our tours are educational, inspirational, and fun for all ages. Visit our Web site.

Popularity: 6% [?]

May. It is typically our wettest month with almost two inches of moisture and temperatures ranging from an average high of 67 degrees Fahrenheit to a low of 31 degrees.

It is also THE month of visible change in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Old man winter releases his grip and the spring maiden comes forth. The changes occur almost instantly with one day being brown and silent and the next bursting with greenery and sound. It really amazes me how quickly spring comes and if you don’t watch closely the change has occurred and all of a sudden you think, wow, it’s noisy, green and spring!

Seasonal changes affect all parts of nature. Waterways begin to flow with new force. Birds mate and build nests. New buds burst open daily. You can watch this cycle of change move from south to north, lower elevations to upper. You can measure changes with altitude and latitude according to Hopkin’s Law (A.D. Hopkins-1918). This law states “ as a rule of thumb, the date of peak flowering of a certain plant species moves northeastward at the rate of 1 degree of latitude every four days and upward at the rate of 100 feet (30 meters) of elevation a day.” This is a great law to use when you are seeking that particular plant species or just curious when trails might be free of snow.

At this time of year, I certainly have my spring favorites. Watching the red tail hawks return to soar in the sky and establish their nesting territories would be a highlight. These beautiful birds do migrate. Some south to Mexico and beyond while others stay in the state leaving snowy Jackson to more wind swept plains and more food. Their return signifies spring. I also love the first spring blooms. Spring Beauty, Claytonia lanceolata, is an amazing plant. It comes with a white to pinkish bloom with pink veins on the petals. Of course, it is a food source because Mother Nature wouldn’t have her first blooms be anything but helpful to all life. We can eat them. Bears and rodents like the roots and elk, deer and sheep eat the whole plant. Other spring blooms that are edible and support life are the violets, the edible leaves of strawberries, orogenia, nettles, dandelions, yellow bell lilies, sorrel, and numerous more. Nettles are a great spring green full of iron and a great help to allergies. Nettles are best cooked but the others make a great spring salad.

Spring is also birthing time for the larger animals. They have evolved to give birth at this time of the year so the young have the summer months to gain strength to survive the winter. During the months of May and June most young are born. In May, the young bison and moose are often spotted. In June, you might see the new born elk, pronghorn, big horn sheep or mountain goats. Deer will give birth in June and July so a bit later than the other species.

The month ends with high water and melting snow. We have rain showers predicted this week and all this precipitation means beautiful flowers and a vibrant start to the season.  Our hiking season has begun and this summer celebrates 20 years for The Hole Hiking Experience! We are sharing our favorite spots and giving hikers the ability to participate with nature. Join us to connect to the landscape!

What’s in the woods-
5/1-5/8- Ohio- blooming trillium, salomon seal, maple, a lot of pink family, rose-breasted grosbeak
5/10- Mud Lake- first start of Aspen Leaves in Teton Valley, Idaho, buttercup, yellow bell  lily, spring beauty
5/12- bullock’s oriole returns to our yard- just in time for the hummingbird feeder
5/15-backyard feeder- male and female crossbills, male and female goldfinch, male and female evening grosbeak, pine siskin, two chipmunks, raven, magpie, robins, male and female cassin’s finch
5/17- house wrens building nest in our bird house!
5/18- Aspens in Teton Valley are leafed and cottonwoods have male catkins.
5/19 Munger- shooting star, woodland star, yellow bell lily, spring beauty, dwarf waterleaf
5/20- Mud Lake- arrowleaf balsamroot
5/22-5/24- Boulder, Wyoming- trumpeter swans, turkey vultures, red tail hawks, downy woodpecker, house wren, nine-leaved desert parsley, balsamroot, arnica, shooting star
5/26-Shadow Mountain- sugarbowl clematis, yellow violet, green gentian-starting to grow, numerous meadowlarks, white-crowned sparrow
5/27-Aspen Trail- clematis!, sugarbowl, serviceberry, black-headed grosbeak
5/30-Fox Creek- arrowleaf balsamroot, Oregon grape, serviceberry, sticky geranium

Trail Suggestion-
A few of my spring favorites are Dog Creek south of Astoria in the Snake River Canyon and the valley trail at the base of the Tetons. Two Idaho favorites are Mud Lake outside of the town of Victor and the Aspen Trail at the base of the Tetons in Teton Valley, Idaho. Snow King in the town of Jackson is also a great hike and in the spring, you might see pasque flower! Let me know if you need directions. Always remember to be prepared when you head into the mountains and make sure somebody knows where you are. For current trail conditions, it is always worthwhile to visit the Moose Visitor Center in Grand Teton Park or the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center on North Cache. Have fun and happy hiking!

Experience nature! Join us to make the most of your Jackson Hole visit! Our tours are educational, inspirational, and fun for all ages. Visit our Web site for more information.

Popularity: 7% [?]