Jackson Hole Hiking & Wildlife

By Cathy Shill of the Hole Hiking Experience
Nature News: Decemeber - January

November. As the month draws to a close, Jackson Hole has its’ winter coat. Snow has settled into our valley home.

I spent the beginning of the month in India visiting a friend from Bhutan and working on a fall trip to that part of the Himalayas. Trek details to come.

India is an amazing country: crowded, smelly, busy, but culturally exciting. I really enjoyed the history, the forts, palaces, Hindu philosophy and life’s pulsation as so many try to survive. My senses were often overwhelmed but I never felt uncomfortable. The people seemed to respect space when possible. The begging was tolerable. Parts of India are just crowded and personal space is hard to find.

At the end of the month, my heart yearned for the Tetons. My favorite trails, the solitude. When I returned, I just stood and listened to winter: the whisper of the wind, the crackle of the fall grass, the gurgling stream. My heart fills with joy as I come back to center. Back home. Back in the mountains.

Before each tour, a common question is “will we see wildlife?” The majestic animals: the moose, elk, black bear, wolf, grizzly, pronghorn, and big horn sheep. Being in this ecosystem with such wildlife diversity is awesome and seeing the animals is always a highlight. For us, an exciting part of each day is the unknown of what you might see.

Well, on November 23, we were given a gift. After snowshoeing beneath the Teton peaks, we started for town. Within a mile, we saw dark shapes on the road. My first thought was bison, but we weren’t near their territories.

On the road walking north was the famous Grizzly sow, 399, and her two cubs. She was sauntering up the road with cubs in tow. They were amazing. All muscle and moving with intention. She was heading north into snowier country. Coming back to her denning site? Following her nose to a carcass?

Regardless of her motivation, it was a true gift when the universe aligns in that moment, that day to share such a wonder. It reinforces why I live here and so many come to visit. The wildness and rawness of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem truly touches and shares wild nature. You can’t beat it!

The bears are still active. The fall hunt has given them a steady supply of gut piles. They will soon begin their winter slumber.

Winter is a special time in the Tetons and the quiet valley of Jackson Hole.

What’s in the woods-

11/1-11/17- India- delhi, varanassi, rajasthan- hot, busy, crowded, exhilarating

11/19- East Gros Ventre Butte- bald eagle, bull elk, cow/bull moose, rough-legged hawk

11/20- cold and snowy

11/21- Park road- sow grizzly-399 with her two cubs

11/23- Taggert Lake- cow/calf moose

11/26- elk refuge- four bald eagles, ravens and magpies feeding on carcass

11/27- porter ranch, south of town- two coyotes mousing

Tour Suggestion-

Since snow is still accumulating, recreating north in Grand Teton Park is a nice option. The park road and Taggert/Bradley have enough snow to snowshoe or ski. Journeying north in the park (past Moran) to Signal Mountain accesses the northern park road and a fun place to explore. Fewer people take the extra time to travel. Have fun and be prepared for cold winter weather.
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