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Nature Center Events, Summer 2017

Week of June 12 - June 18

Greetings from the 3 Creek Ranch Nature Center,

Below you will find the schedule of events for the upcoming week of June 12-18. Note that we are starting a very casual ‘Tuesday Lecture Series’ at 3:30 at the Nature Center. Our topic is common Wildflowers and Habitats of the valley. I hope you will join in and share your experiences within the various natural history topics we’ll highlight throughout the summer. Please let me know if I can be assistance as you start preparing for a summer of hiking.

Respectfully,
Roger & Murph

MONDAY, JUNE 12
Day Hike: Cache Creek to Game Creek
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:00 AM
Description: Moderate
Distance: 39.7 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 1,435' Maximum Elevation: 7,410’
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 CacheCreek, and hit our only short but steeper section of trail, gaining just 250 feet to the pas sbetween Cache and Game Creek. From the pass, we descend 1,290 feet over the next 5.5miles 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 need to shuttle a vehicle to Game Creek. Dogs are welcome.

Office Hours
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 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.

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TUESDAY, JUNE 13
Day Hike: Aspen Ridge Trail, LSR Preserve
Time: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Description: Easy
Distance: 5 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 450' Maximum Elevation: 6,800’
This is a wonderful hike through mixed conifer and deciduous forests, beautiful views of the valley and Phelps Lake. The trail varies from moderate to steep sections, but always eases back just when you are thinking of needing a rest.
Bring: daypack, lunch, water bottle, warm layer, sunscreen.
Notes: Continuing another 4 miles around the Boulder Ridge trail is always enjoyable.

Day Hike – Coal Creek to Mesquite Pass
Time: 7:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 7:30 AM
Description: Moderate / Fast Pace with Murph
Distance: 5.7 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 1,995' Maximum Elevation: 9,210’
Snow in the high country is disappearing fast, but large snow fields still exist on north facing slopes of many trails. Thus, here is a shortened version of the Coal Creek-Philips Pass Loop but still allows us to venture into some spectacular higher elevation country. Murph will be leading this hike and will begin at theCoal Creek trailhead (7250’) on the west side of Teton Pass, and end our hike at MesquitePass, a steady climb of almost 3 miles and 2,000’ of elevation. Depending on snow cover, we might venture a short way up the trail to Taylor Peak.
Bring: daypack, extra warm layer, rain shell, lunch, water bottle.
Notes: Anticipate possible snow near the pass, but expect fabulous wildflowers.

Notes from the Field – Wildflowers and Habitats
Time: 3:30 PM
Location: Nature Center
Description:
Join us for a short slide program and casual discussion of common wildflowers and habitats in the Jackson valley. We’ll discuss wildflower ID books, some of the new plant ID Apps available, and favorite locations to see flowers throughout the summer.
Notes: Cheese & Crackers, light refreshments.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14
Day Hike: Granite Canyon to LSR Visitor Center
Time: 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Meet at 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.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 15
Road Cycling: Cedron Road Loop - Victor, Idaho
Time: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 AM
Description: Moderate, 15-17 mph pace
Distance: 26.5 miles R/T
Elevation Gain: 460' Maximum Elevation: 6,193'
This is a very enjoyable ride along the rural back roads of the west side ofVictor, Idaho along the base of the Big Hole Mountains. Starting and finishing atFitzgerald’s bike shop, we will ride relatively flat terrain with small dips and rises on a quiet road that offers continuous views of Teton Valley and the west side of theTetons. The northern end of our route takes us through Driggs, Idaho, where we return toVictor along the bike path. Great coffee and treats at Fitzgerald’s Bike shop awaits us at the finish.
Bring: bike, helmet, water bottles, warm layer, sunscreen.
Notes: Expect minimal traffic on the Cedron Road. Please stop by or give me a call if you need help preparing your bike or other cycling needs.

Office Hours
Time: 1:30 PM – 4:00 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.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 16
Birding Walk in Teton Park..bring your binoculars and bird book!
Time: 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Meet at the Nature Center at 7:30 AM
Description: Easy
Join me for a casual and relaxing morning looking for birds at a few locations in the Park. To find the most diverse number of birds requires searching in the most diverse plant communities, or habitats. Thus, we’ll start at Blacktail Ponds Overlook that includes a transition of three different plant communities: sagebrush flats, willow and wetlands and coniferous forests. We can expect to see waterfowl, up to 6 species of swallows, warblers and flycatchers. We’ll move on to Antelope Flats that include remnant hayfields, sagebrush, and grasslands..all three attract bluebirds, sparrows, meadowlarks, and a diversity of raptors.
Bring: Binoculars and a bird book, snack, warm layer, hat, sunscreen, hiking shoes.
Notes: I’ll bring spotting scopes and extra binoculars.

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SUNDAY, JUNE 18
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.