Nature Center Events, Summer 2019

Week of July 15 - July 21

Greetings from the Nature Center, 

I am sending, as an attachment, the Schedule of Events for the upcoming week of July 15-21. I look forward to seeing you, and please let me know if I can be of assistance in any way. 

Respectfully,
Roger

Road Cycling: Gros Ventre Junction - Jenny Lake
Time: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Difficulty: Moderate
Mileage:  26.5 miles R/T      Maximum Elevation: 6,791'      Elevation Gain: 445'

Description:  We’ll load up our bikes at the Nature Center and begin this ride at Gros Ventre Junction. We’ll start there and our entire ride will be on the bike path, gaining 100’ in the first 5.5 miles to Moose, and gain another 350’ over the next 7.5 miles to South Jenny Lake. This is a splendid ride along the stress-free bike pathway. Expect relatively flat terrain all the way to Moose, with one hill to Windy Point with the spectacular Grand Teton landscape always in view.

Bring: bike, helmet, water bottles, warm layer, sunscreen.
Notes: Opportunities exist for additional mileage if the group so desires. Please stop by or give me a call if you need help preparing your bike or other cycling needs.

Day Hike: Cache Creek to Game Creek
Time: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Difficulty: Moderate
Mileage:  9.7 miles R/T      Maximum Elevation: 7,418'      Elevation Gain: 1,435'

This is a popular hiking and mountain destination trail along a well-maintained trail. We begin this hike at the Cache Creek trailhead, maintaining a very easy and gradual uphill gain of only 700 feet in the first 3,7 miles. We then cross over Cache Creek, and hit our only short but steeper section of trail, gaining just 250 feet to the pass between Cache and Game Creek. From the pass, we descend 1,290 feet over the next 5.5 miles through beautiful aspen and pine forests to the game Creek trailhead. Every point along the way offers gorgeous vistas of open meadows, timbered stands of spruce and fir, and abundant wildflowers.
 
Bring: daypack, snack, rain jacket, warm layer, hat, sunscreen, hiking shoes.
Notes: We will shuttle a vehicle to Game Creek for our ride back to Cache Creek. Dogs are welcome.

Road Cycling:  Moose to Jenny Lake
Time: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Difficulty: Strenuous 
Mileage:  44.5 miles R/T      Maximum Elevation: 6,790'      Elevation Gain: 380'

This is a strenuous ride due to long miles, but we will maintain a gentle, 14-18 mph pace. This ride is mostly on flats with one gentle hill up Antelope Flats to mailbox corner the highest point of our ride. We’ll begin this ride from the Nature Center, ride 5 miles into town, continuing north on the bike path 13 miles and gain 315 feet of elevation to Moose, then continue north past Moose for one mile on the main highway to the North Antelope Flats Junction. From here we ride 13.5 miles around Antelope Flats back to G-V Junction, and return to 3 Creek Ranch. This is an excellent ride if you are just starting or wanting assistance learning the finer points to riding that new road bike! Expect one of the most scenic bike rides in the world. 
 
Bring: bike, helmet, water bottles, warm layer, sunscreen.
Notes: Restrooms along the way, including a good cup of coffee and snacks at the Kelly store. Please stop by or give me a call if you need help preparing your bike or other cycling needs.

Thursday, july 18

Day Hike: Monument Ridge - Bondurant
Time: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Place: Meet at the Nature Center at 7:30 AM
Difficulty: Moderate 
Mileage:  8 miles R/T (4 Up, 4 Down)      Maximum Elevation: 8,257'      Elevation Gain: 1,565'

Our hike begins 30 miles from the Nature Center up the Hoback canyon in Bondurant. The maintained trail follows a gentle but steady uphill ridgeline that progresses through sage-bitterbrush into rich forests of aspen, Lodgepole pine and Sub-alpine Fir. This along with one of the most beautiful displays of wildflowers and mountain vistas in the region. Once on the ridgetop, we’ll end up at an abandoned fire look-out tower with a USGS Benchmark dated 1946. From the ridgeline, we’ll have 360 degree views of the Snake River Range, Wind River Range, Gros Ventre Mountain Range and the Hoback Range. A hike with beautiful wildflowers surrounded by majestic Wyoming mountain ranges…what more can we ask for.

Bring: daypack, warm layer, rain shell, lunch, extra water, hiking poles if desired, lunch, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent.
Notes: Rained out last week! Notice 7:15 am start from the nature center. Expect 40 minute drive to trailhead (30.2 miles) up the Hoback. This is a maintained trail the entire way.

Friday, JULY 19

Birding Walk - bring your binoculars and bird book! Mt. Ellie Subalpine, Teton Pass
Time: 7:30 AM – 12:00 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'

We will start this hike from the parking lot on Teton Pass, hike approximately 2 miles to the top of Mt. Ellie. We will hike through several habitat types of open alpine meadows, 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 and a Bird book! extra warm layer, rain/wind shell, refreshments.
Notes: Note the early start, we will leave promptly! I have three pair of binoculars to loan for the morning. Please stop by or give me a call if I can answer any questions.

NATURE CENTER

Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Nature Center 
Notes: Stop by the Nature Center for a casual visit to say hello, relax on the front lawn overlooking Spring Creek with a magnificent Teton Range backdrop, request some help planning your next outdoor adventure, or perhaps bring your guests for a tour of the Center.

sunday, july 21

Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Nature Center
Notes: Stop by the Nature Center for a casual visit to say hello, relax on the front lawn overlooking Spring Creek with a magnificent Teton Range backdrop, request some help planning your next outdoor adventure, or perhaps bring your guests for a tour of the Center.