Nature Center Events, Summer 2018

Week of July 30 - August 5

Weekly Schedule

Day Hike: Coal Creek/Phillips Pass
Time: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 7:30 AM
Difficulty: Strenuous
Mileage:  8.8 miles R/T      Maximum Elevation: 9,233'      Elevation Gain: 2,400'

Description: 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 theSki Lake trailhead on the east side of the Pass. We will drop a vehicle at the Ski LakeTrailhead 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.

Day Hike:  Mt. Ellie Hike, Teton Pass
Time: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Difficulty: Easy
Mileage:  3.5 miles R/T      Maximum Elevation: 9,279'      Elevation Gain: 850'

Description:  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.

LIVE RAPTOR PROGRAM at the Clubhouse
Time: 3:30 PM-4:30 PM
Location: Clubhouse, North Lawn

Description: Teton Raptor Center is bringing their fun, educational and entertaining live raptor program to the Clubhouse. This is an exciting opportunity to see these magnificent raptors up close, and appropriate for the all ages. We are excited to provide this exciting program in such a beautiful setting as the Clubhouse Lawn. Not to be missed.

Notes: Please note the 3:30 PM start at the Clubhouse.

Day Hike:  Ski Lake Ridgeline
Time: 9 AM – 2:30 PM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 9 AM
Difficulty: Moderate
Mileage:  7.3 miles R/T      Maximum Elevation: 9,710'      Elevation Gain: 1,880'

Description:  This is a very enjoyable hike along a well-traveled trail to the ridgeline above Ski Lake. The trailhead starts half-way up Teton Pass at the ‘Phillips Pass’ sign, with a parking area on both sides of the road. After an easy 2.5 mile hike to the lake, and depending on the snowline, we’ll gain another 980’ of elevation in 1.5 miles to a beautiful ridgeline that offers expansive views of the valley. Abundant wildflowers this time of year as well.

Bring:  daypack, food, rain jacket, sunscreen, bear spray.

Thursday, August 2

Road Cycling:  Cedron Road Loop, Victor, Idaho 
Time: 8 AM – 1:30 PM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 8 AM
Difficulty: Moderate
Mileage:  26.5 miles R/T      Maximum Elevation: 6,193'      Elevation Gain: 460'

Description:  We’ll load up our bikes at the Nature Center and begin/end this ride in victor, Idaho. This is a very enjoyable ride along the rural back roads of the west side of Victor, Idaho along the base of the Big Hole Mountains. Starting and finishing at Fitzgerald’s bike shop, we will ride relatively flat terrain with small dips and rises on a quiet road that offers continuous views of Teton Valley and the west side of the Tetons. The northern end of our route takes us through Driggs, Idaho, where we return to Victor along the bike path. Great coffee and treats at Fitzgerald’s Bike shop awaits us at the finish. Depending on how the group feels, we can continue up the Alta Road another 8.2 miles to the overlook at the 2nd hairpin turn at the base of the Targhee Road. This would add 16 miles to our day…just a thought!

Bring: bike, helmet, water bottles, warm layer, sunscreen.
Notes:  Note early meeting time at the Nature Center. Expect minimal traffic on the Cedron Road. Please stop by or give me a call if you need help preparing your bike or other cycling needs.

Friday, August 3

Birding Walk:  South Park Management Area
Time: 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 7:30 AM
Difficulty: Easy
            
Description:  Please join me for a very casual morning bird walk along the South Park levee. We will walk about 2 miles on a maintained two-track road through cottonwood and willow forest and adjacent to the Snake River-a fabulous place to see birds... We’ll focus our time detecting the most common birds in the area, discuss identification skills using bird books and the latest ‘Birding Apps’ for the IPad, and some of the best places to watch birds. I encourage all of the ‘beginner birders’ out there to join us, as my goal is simply to help you ‘See more birds’…