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Nature Center Events, Summer 2017

Week of July 24 - July 30

MONDAY, JULY 24
Day Hike: Glory Peak-Phillips Canyon
Time: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Description: Moderate
Distance: 8.9 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 2,650' Maximum Elevation: 10,085'
We begin this hike from the parking area on Teton Pass, and hike up a steep trail 1,650’ in the first 0.9 miles to the top of Glory Bowl. After a well-deserved rest, expect a mostly all downhill hike from there! We continue on a maintained trail roughly 2 miles and dropping 650’ along a beautiful high elevation ridgeline to the top of the Ski Lake ridgeline. We can either descend there to Ski Lake, or continue the next 1.5 miles of off-trail but easy hiking on the ridgeline through open timber and open grassy meadows to the top of Phillips Ridge. From here we follow the well maintained trail back to the Ski Lake parking area. Spectacular mountain landscape views along this entire hike. Shorter option descending to Ski Lake is 6 miles.
Bring: daypack, plenty of water, snacks, lunch, rain jacket, warm layer, hat, sunscreen,hiking shoes.
Notes: We will need to leave a shuttle vehicle at the Ski Lake parking area.

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TUESDAY, JULY 25
Day Hike: Crater Lake and the Big Rocks Trail
Time: 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 9:00 AM
Description: Moderate
Distance: 4.9 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 1,150' Maximum Elevation: 7,212’
We begin this hike from the parking area at the base of the OldPass Road, just past Trail Creek Ranch. We’ll hike up almost 700’ in the first 1.5 miles to Crater Lake along the ‘History Trail’, and return down along the Crater Lake Trail. Both travel through beautiful forests and open meadows along a well-worn trail, and offer a pleasant alternative to the paved ‘old pass road’ that winds to the top of Teton Pass. Once back to the bottom, we’ll climb back up about 350’ and hike a beautiful trail around the ‘BigRocks’ trail, so named for several massive boulders, or ‘glacial erratics’ that we encounter on the trail. These glacial erratics’ were transported to this location on top of huge glaciers that once filled the valley to an estimated 1,500 feet above the valley floor. Great views ofMt. Glory, mature Douglas fir forests and plenty of interesting birding.
Bring: daypack, snack, rain jacket, warm layer, hat, sunscreen, hiking shoes.
Notes: Dogs are welcome to join us!

Notes from the Field: ‘A History of Stream Restoration on 3 Creek Ranch’
Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 3:30 PM
Please join our special guest, Brian Remlinger, Aquatic Ecologist and owner of AlderEnvironmental, for an engaging talk and slide show on the history of restoration work done he has done on each of our three Spring Creeks over the past 12 years.I have been working with Brian during almost every aspect of this work, including the work we just completed this summer. Brian’s perspectives will be of great interest to all of us who have witnessed the remarkable transition of our creeks into arguably one of our premier assets to living at 3 Creek Ranch.
Notes: Light refreshments served. RSVP appreciated.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 26
Road Cycling: 3 Creek Ranch - Moose
Time: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Meet at Nature Center at 8:00 AM
Description: Moderate
Distance: 34 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 317' Maximum Elevation: 6,512'
We’ll begin at the Nature Center and follow both the pathway and roadside to the North end of town. From there we’ll enjoy a stress-free ride the entire way on the pathway toMoose. Expect one climb (250’) to the top of Fish Hatchery Hill, but we are rewarded for our work with a spectacular view of the Teton Range as we crest the hill. The next 7.5 miles will be relatively flat terrain with splendid views all the way to Moose. Coffee at Dornan’s is always a nice stop.
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.

Day Hike: Ski Lake Ridgeline
Time: 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Description: Moderate
Distance: 7.3 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 1,880' Maximum Elevation: 9,710’
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 ‘PhillipsPass’ sign, with a parking area on both sides of the road. After an easy 2.5 mile hike to the lake 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.
Notes: Dogs are welcome to join us!

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THURSDAY, JULY 27
Day Hike: Cream Puff Peak
Time: 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 7:30 AM
Description:Strenuous
Distance: 9.8 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 3,400' Maximum Elevation: 9,685'
For all of you who enjoy ‘baggin peaks’, this is one should be near the top of the list. A challenging hike, with considerable uphills many of us are familiar with…but from the top of the peak, we’ll have views of the Tetons to the north, the Gros Ventre Mtns to the east, the Hoback, Wyoming and Salt River Range to the south, the Wind River Range is visible in the distant southeast, and lastly, the Snake River range to the west. A magnificent place to really appreciate the beauty of this mountainous region we call home.
Notes: daypack, plenty of water, snacks, lunch, hiking poles if you have them.

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FRIDAY, JULY 28
Birding Walk: South Park Management Area
Time: 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 7:30 AM
Description: Easy
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... The very first step to enjoying and appreciating birds is simply to increase our awareness of them. 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’…
Bring: Binoculars, water bottle, warm layer, sunscreen.
Notes: I have two pairs of binoculars to loan for the morning. Please stop by or give me acall if I can answer any questions.

LIVE RAPTOR PROGRAM at the Nature Center
Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center
Teton Raptor Center is bringing three of their live raptor ambassadors to the Nature Center. This is an exciting opportunity to see these magnificent raptors up close, and appropriate for the all ages. This is he third of five live raptor programs we are offering this summer here at the Nature Center. Not to be missed.

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SUNDAY, JULY 30
Office Hours
Time: 10:00 AM – 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

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