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Nature Center Events, Summer 2016

Week of July 18 - July 24

MONDAY, JULY 18
Hike: Darby Canyon-Wind & Ice Caves
Time: 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 7:30 AM
Description: Moderate
Distance: 7 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 2,410' Maximum Elevation: 9,400’
This is an ‘out and back’ hike to a pair of interesting caves in Darby Canyon, located on the west side of the Tetons. We’ll begin with a drive over Teton Pass, drive about 5 miles past Victor, Id., to Darby Canyon Road (E 300 S). The trail begins with gradual hills then enters a more sustained uphill climb through a series of switchbacks for next 1.5 miles to Wind Cave. We have the option to continue another mile to the base of Ice Cave and includes a beautiful walk through the sub-alpine environment. Hiking on the West side of the Tetons offers a new perspective on the geology and story of the mountain building process that shaped this remarkable region.
Bring: As with all longer hikes with considerable elevation gain, please take the time to come prepared with sturdy hiking shoes, a daypack with an extra warm layer of clothes, quality rain gear, lunch, water, sunscreen.

TUESDAY, JULY 19
Hike: Granite Canyon to LSR Visitor Center
Time: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Description: Easy
Distance: 7 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 760' Maximum Elevation: 7,060’
This ‘Valley Trail’ courses through beautiful rolling hills of
mixed aspen and coniferous forests and across several small creeks as we travel along the foothill moraine of the Tetons. This trail gets its name from the early days in Jackson when a handful of popular dude ranches existed along the base of the Tetons. Guests, on horseback, would often visit one another using what is now called the valley trail.
Bring: daypack, lunch, water, sunscreen
Notes: We will need to shuttle a vehicle to the LSR Preserve Visitor Center.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20
Road Cycling: Gros Ventre Junction-Jenny Lake
Time: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Meet at Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Description: Moderate
Distance: 26.5 MPH
Elevation Gain: 445’ Maximum Elevation: 6,791’
We’ll load up the bikes and drive north to 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.

Naturalist Notes: Bears & Bear Safety
Time: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Location: Nature Center
Notes: Please join me and our special guest Steve Cain, Senior Wildlife Biologist, GTNP (retired), for an informal but thorough discussion
on bears, bear safety, and the use of Bear Spray. Collectively, we will bring over 50 years of experience studying, handling and teaching about grizzly and black bear behavior and ecology. We will focus our program on recreating safely in bear country and the proper use and handling of bear spray, including the opportunity for everyone to practice using actual bear spray with INERT Training Canisters. This is a great opportunity to gain real experience firing bear spray, and hopefully get answers to questions you might have about hiking in bear country.

THURSDAY, JULY 21
Hike: Jackson Peak Summit
Time: 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 7:30 AM
Description: Strenuous
Distance: 11 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 2,680 Maximum Elevation: 10,741’
If you haven’t been on top of Jackson Peak this year, this is your chance!! Jackson Peak is a true landmark in our valley and is remarkably close to downtown Jackson. One of my all-time favorite, yet challenging hikes, this trail leads us through wonderful stands of aspen, Douglas fir, open meadows and grand vistas of the Gros Ventre Wilderness and the Teton Range. We will pass Goodwin Lake on our way to the summit. Remarkable views in all directions, guaranteed to be a memorable hike for all.
Bring: daypack, water bottle, lunch/snack, rain jacket, warm layer, hat, sunscreen
Notes: Please note the early meeting time of 7:30 AM at the Nature Center. Hiking to the summit will be weather dependent. I recommend bringing extra food. I have a water filter so we can refill water bottles along the way. This is a non-technical hike and we will travel on a maintained hiking trail the entire day.

FRIDAY, JULY 22
Day Hike: Cabin Creek-Dog Creek Loop
Time: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Description: Moderate
Distance: 5.5 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 1,100' Maximum Elevation: 6,910'
We will begin this hike at the trailhead to Cabin Creek
located roughly 5 miles south of Hoback Junction, and about a half mile south of where Fall Creek road connects to the Snake River Canyon road. We follow a maintained trail through the bottomlands filled with numerous active beaver ponds. We gain almost all of our elevation in the first 3.5 miles to a beautiful forested saddle, then drop down through mature spruce/fir forests to the trail junction along Dog Creek. We then have an easy hike down Dog Creek to our vehicle. We will need to shuttle a vehicle about 2 miles to the Dog Creek Trailhead.
Bring: Daypack, lunch, water, sunscreen
Notes: Dogs are welcome.

SUNDAY, JULY 24
Office Hours
Time: 1:00 PM – 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.