Nature Center Events, Summer 2018

Week of August 13 - August 19

~ Kindly RSVP if you plan on attending an event ~
Greetings from the Nature Center,

A few Notes:
-Although signs of the approaching fall are not conspicuous, I have noticed a few leaves turning color at higher elevations.
-Huckleberries are in a banner year in certain canyons of the Park and around the valley.
-Hummingbirds. Broad-tailed, Rufous, Calliope and their young are abundant right now, frenetic in their efforts to gather nectar.  If you have hummingbirds at your feeders, ensure that you keep them filled and clean.. Kindly RSVP if you plan to attend any of the weekly events. I look forward to seeing you this coming week. 
Respectfully,
Roger

Weekly Schedule

Day Hike: Phillips Pass – fireweed display
Time: 9 AM – 1:30 PM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 9 AM
Difficulty: Moderate
Mileage:  8 miles R/T      Maximum Elevation: 8,932'      Elevation Gain: 1,520'

Description: We’ll start at the trailhead to Ski Lake, accessed from Teton pass. At the 1 mile mark, we’ll bear right and follow the trail sign to Phillips Pass. We will be hiking through beautiful stands of fir, spruce, aspen and open meadows, with wonderful views throughout the entire hike. One of our goals of this hike is to catch the fireweed in full bloom over expansive subalpine meadows in the last mile or so to the Pass.

Bring: daypack, plenty of water, delicious snacks, rain jacket, warm layer, hat, sunscreen, hiking shoes.
Notes: Dogs are welcome.

Day Hike: Game Creek Trail
Time: 9 AM – 12:30 PM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 9 AM
Difficulty: Easy
Mileage:  6 miles R/T      Maximum Elevation: 6,655'      Elevation Gain: 774'

This is a pleasant ‘up and back loop’ trail just minutes from 3 Creek Ranch in lowerGame Creek. We will gain about 600’ of elevation in the first 3 miles to the beaver ponds, with an easy downhill return hike. Bring your binoculars as

Bring: daypack, snack, rain jacket, warm layer, hat, sunscreen, hiking shoes.
Notes: Dogs are welcome to join us! 

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 theClubhouse. This is the final program of the season, and an exciting opportunity to see and learn about these magnificentraptors up close. Appropriate for the all ages. We are excited to provide this exciting program in such a beautiful setting as the Clubhouse Lawn. Not to bemissed.

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

Day Hike: Taylor Mountain
Time: 7:30AM – 2:30 PM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 7:30 AM
Difficulty: Strenuous
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, Big Hole Mountains and the farmlands of Teton Valley. This isa non-technical hike and we will travel on a hiking trail the entire day. We can filter water along the way if necessary. Most of our hike will be in the Jedediah Smith Wilderness Area, 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’

Thursday, August 16

Road Cycling: 3 Creek Ranch – Teton Village
Time: 8 AM – 12 PM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 8 AM
Difficulty: Moderate
Mileage:  26.5 miles R/T      Maximum Elevation: 6,308'      Elevation Gain: 335'

Description: With the new bike completed along HW 22, we will ride along the pathway the entire way from 3 Creek Ranch to Teton Village. This is a straight forward ride, gaining roughly 335’ of elevation gain over 13.2 miles.

Bring: bike, helmet, 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, August 17

Birding Walk: Schwabacher’s Landing, Teton Park 
Time: 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 7:30 AM
Difficulty: Easy
             
Description: We’ll spend the morning walking along flat terrain in the mature Cottonwood and Spruce forest and small channels of the Snake River. This is a very pleasant location to spend a few hours bird watching, providing an intimate look into bird life in classic riparian zone habitat. We will meander at will, discuss the importance of the river bottom to wildlife, and hopefully have time to stop at Dornan’s for a cold lemonade on our way home. Schwabacher’s landing is 4 miles north of Moose, about 16 miles from town.

Bring: Binoculars! Bird field guide, water bottle, snack, rain jacket, warm layer, hat, sunscreen.

Office Hours, Sunday, August 19

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.