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Nature Center Events, Summer 2016

Week of July 25 - July 31

3 Creek Ranch Outings are reserved for club members and homeowners.

MONDAY, AUGUST 1
Hike: Game Creek Trail
Time: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Description: Easy
Distance: 6.5 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 774' Maximum Elevation: 6,655’
This is a pleasant ‘up and back loop’ trail just minutes from 3 Creek Ranch in lower Game Creek. We will gain about 600’ of elevation in the first 3 miles to the beaver ponds, with an easy downhill return hike.
Bring: daypack or fanny pack, snack, rain jacket, warm layer, hat, sunscreen, hiking shoes.
Notes: Dogs are welcome to join us!

Office Hours
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: Nature Center
Notes: Stop by the Nature Center for a casual visit to say hello, request some help planning your next outdoor adventure, or bring your guests for a tour of the Center.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2
Hike: Coal Creek/Phillips Pass
Time: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 7:30 AM
Description: Strenuous
Distance: 7 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 760' Maximum Elevation: 7,060’
For those of you who are looking for a longer day in the mountains, this hike is for you. Our hike follows a well maintained trail with spectacular vistas of the Tetons and Taylor Mountain, as well as abundant wildflowers. We will begin this hike at the Coal Creek trailhead on the west side of Teton Pass, and end our hike at the Ski Lake trailhead on the east side of the Pass. We will drop a vehicle at the Ski Lake
Trailhead on our way over the Pass to complete our shuttle.
Bring: daypack, extra warm layer, rain shell, lunch, water bottle
Notes: Anticipate roughly 5 hours on the trail. We will need to shuttle a vehicle.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3
Road Cycling: Targhee Ski Hill Road, Driggs, Id.
Time: 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Meet at Nature Center at 7:30 AM
Description: Strenuous
Distance: 25 MPH
Elevation Gain: 2,000’ Maximum Elevation: 8,063’
Starting from Driggs, Idaho, we’ll have a relaxing start in the first 5 miles by climbing 500’, then climb 1,500’ in the next 7 miles to the base of Targhee Ski Area at 8,063’. While this might sound a bit daunting, the scenery on the west side of the Tetons is nothing short of spectacular, and the road has a wide shoulder and maintains a steady but moderate grade. For comparison, Wilson to the top of Teton Pass is 5.5 miles and gains 2,430’ of elevation gain! Great refreshments await at Pendl’s coffee shop and bakery in Driggs.
Bring: bike, helmet, water bottles, warm layer, sunscreen

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4
Hike: Table Mountain
Time: 6:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 6:00 AM
Description: Strenuous
Distance: 12.4 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 4,150' Maximum Elevation: 11,106’
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the photograph taken from the top of Table Mountain in July 1872 by William Jackson helped create the need to protect the Grand Tetons and surrounding lands in the public trust. I also cannot imagine the work this group of early explorers put into hauling all that equipment up there! We’ll start this hike in Teton Canyon, located just off the Alta Road on the west side of the Tetons. We can expect spectacular scenery as we ascend through several ecological life zones, ending above timber line with spectacular mountain vistas throughout the day. I regard the close-up views of the immense west face of the Grand Teton, Cascade Canyon, Alaska Basin and surrounding mountain landscapes to be some of the most memorable in the entire range.
Bring: daypack, extra warm layer, rain shell, sturdy hiking shoes, lightweight wool socks, extra food, lunch, water. I carry a water purifier.
Notes: Please note the early meeting time of 6:00 AM from the Nature Center. Hiking to the summit will be weather dependent. This is a non-technical hike and we will travel on a well maintained hiking trail the entire day. Could be windy on the summit.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5
Day Hike: Mt. Ellie Hike, Teton Pass
Time: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Description: Easy
Distance: 3.5 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 850' Maximum Elevation: 9,279'
We will start this hike from the parking lot on Teton Pass, hike approximately 2 miles to the top of Mt. Ellie. We will follow a ridge-top trail
almost the entire way through open meadows of wildflowers and forest stands of subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce. This entire hike follows a well-worn trail, and offers one of the most spectacular views of the entire Jackson Hole valley. A fantastic way start to any day!
Bring: daypack, extra warm layer, rain/wind shell, refreshments

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7
Office Hours
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Nature Center
Notes: Stop by the Nature Center for a casual visit to say hello, request some help planning your next outdoor adventure, or bring your guests for a tour of the Center.

Roger Smith
Resident Naturalist
3 Creek Ranch Nature Center