Nature Center Events, Summer 2018

Week of July 9 -July 15

Greetings from the Nature Center,

I trust everyone is enjoying  this wonderful 4th of July holiday…I am sending along the Outdoor Pursuits Schedule of Events for the upcoming week of July 9.

TOMORROW, July 6: Live Raptor Program at the Nature Center
A kind reminder that the Teton Raptor Center is giving a presentation tomorrow, 10:00 AM at the Nature Center. They will be bringing live raptors and is always a wonderful program for all ages. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or suggestions you might have. 

Respectfully,
Roger

Weekly Schedule

Day Hike: Taylor Mountain
Time: 9 AM – 2:30 PM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 9 AM
Difficulty: Sternuous
Mileage:  8.5 miles R/T      Maximum Elevation: 10,298'     Elevation Gain: 3,180'

Description: 
We will start this hike from the Coal Creek parking area on the west side of Teton Pass. We will climb about 2,000’ in the first 2.5 miles, and the final1,180’ to the summit in the last 1 and 3/4 miles. This is one of my favorite summit walks with easy access, a beautiful trail and 360’ panoramic views of the southern end of theTetons, the Wyoming range, and the farmlands and Big Hole Mountains of Teton Valley.This is a non-technical hike and we will travel on a hiking trail the entire day. We can filterwater along the way if necessary. Most of our hike will be in the Jedediah Smith WildernessArea, within the Targhee National Forest.
Bring: daypack, water bottle, lunch/snacks, rain jacket, warm layer, hat, sunscreen.
Notes: Dogs are welcome. For reference; Jackson Peak: 10, 740’, Top of Tram: 10,921’.

Day Hike:  Fall Creek Ridge Loop Hike
Time: 9 AM – 1 PM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 9 AM
Difficulty: Easy
Mileage:  3.5 miles R/T      Maximum Elevation: 6,594'      Elevation Gain: 650'

Description:  This hike is noted for easy ascents and descents through varied habitats with stands of aspen and magnificent vistas of the Tetons, Snake River and Munger Mountain. We will drive from the Nature Center, following Fall Creek Road south of Wilson to Red top meadows. We will hike the “Poison Creek and Wally’s World” loop.
Bring: daypack, water bottle, snack, rain jacket, warm layer, hat, sunscreen, hiking shoes.

Day Hike:  Wilson Canyon – Snow King
Time: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Difficulty: Moderate
Mileage:  7.7 miles R/T      Maximum Elevation: 7,888'      Elevation Gain: 2,050'

Description:  We’ll start this hike from the trailhead located behind the Lower valley Power and Light (LVPL) building, located on HW 89 across the road from The Bird restaurant. This trail gains almost 1,200’ of elevation in first 2.25 miles. We’ll hike through open meadows, thick forests of fir and aspen, with dramatic rocky outcroppings along the narrow canyon. We also hike through sections of the 2012 Wilson Canyon forest fire which burned almost 3,500 acres. The trail will wind around the back side and over the top of Snow King, then descend to the bottom where we have our shuttle vehicle.
Bring: daypack, snack, rain jacket, warm layer, hat, sunscreen.
Notes: we will need to leave a shuttle vehicle at the base of Snow King. Dogs are welcome to join us.

Thursday, July 12 

Road Cycling:  Fall Creek Road-Red Top
Time: 9 PM – 12:30 PM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 9 AM
Difficulty: Strenuous
Mileage:  24.6 miles R/T      Maximum Elevation: 6,594'      Elevation Gain: 1,107'

Description: Starting at Nora’s, this ride will be entirely on Fall Creek Road, but there is minimal traffic and vehicles are moving slow in general. We’ll start this ride at Nora’s, riding over gentle rolling hills and easy flats. At the 4.5 mile mark we encounter a short but steep (150’) hill, then travel along beautiful flats for another 4 miles to the base of Red Top hill. The last 2.5 miles to the end of the pavement just past Red Top Meadows is a challenging climb of roughly 525’. Although this is a ‘down and back’ ride, the varied terrain and beautiful scenery makes this ride my favorite ride in the valley.
Bring: bike, helmet, two water bottles, warm layer, sunscreen.
Notes: Please stop by or give me a call if you need help preparing your bike or other cycling needs.

Friday, July 13

Birding Walk:  Mt. Ellie Subalpine Zone, Teton Pass
Time: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 7:30 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 and watch for bird during our 2 mile walk to the top of Mt. Ellie. We will hike through several habitat types of open alpine meadows to sub-alpine forests on our way up the trail, and all offer an opportunity to see different bird species, including finches, sparrows, Swainson’s Thrush, woodpeckers, jays, Townsend’s Solitairs, and Clark’s Nutcrackers to name a few. This entire hike follows a well-worn trail, and offers spectacular views of the entire Jackson Hole valley. A fantastic way start to any day!
Bring:  Binoculars..daypack, extra warm layer, rain/wind shell, refreshments.
 

Office Hours ,Sunday, July 15

Time: 10 AM – 3 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.