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Nature Center Events, Summer 2016

Week of August 15 - August 21

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

MONDAY, AUGUST 15
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 to join us!

TUESDAY, AUGUST 16
Hike: Ski Lake and North Ridge
Time: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Description: Moderate
Distance: 6 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 1,520' Maximum Elevation: 9,270’
This is a favorite hike of mine along a well-traveled trail. The trail starts at the Philips Pass trailhead about half-way up Teton Pass. We will gain about 1,000’ feet in the first two miles to Ski Lake, then we’ll continue around the north side and gain almost 600’ to a beautiful ridgeline with classic mountain vistas.
Bring: daypack, food, water, rain jacket, warm layers and hat, hiking shoes.
Notes: Dogs are welcome to join us!

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17
Road Cycling: 3 Creek Ranch – Teton Village
Time: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Meet at Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Description: Moderate
Distance: 26.5 MPH
Elevation Gain: 335’ Maximum Elevation: 6,308’
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. A stop for a cup of coffee at the village or Aspens Market is always an option!
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.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18
Hike: Cache Creek to Game Creek
Time: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Description: Moderate
Distance: 9.7 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 1,435' Maximum Elevation: 7,410’
This is a popular hiking and mountain biking 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: Dogs are welcome.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19
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.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21
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