March ends with near average snowfall and a 99-inch base. 409 inches of snow has fallen this season at the 9,580 foot/Rendezvous Bowl plot. Spring began on March 20 with the Vernal Equinox which is the moment the sun crosses the celestial equator. Daylight will dominate our 24-hour cycle in the northern hemisphere until the start of summer. Birds return daily and March 20 shared the trill of the Meadowlark, a glimpse of the female Mountain Bluebird, and Magpie’s nest building.
Weather varied in March with sunny 50 degree days and lows in the single digits. On March 18, the daytime high was in the teens and on March 20 mountain temperatures reached the forties. Days could begin with snow, rain or a bluebird sky. Wild species dance with the weather so move, nest build on sunny days and hunker down on stormy days.
The Jackson Home Mountain Resort closes April 3 so slow season descends on the valley with time to vacation and the start of mud season. It’s great time to read a book, play when the sun shines, and take advantage of off season specials at local restaurants. Check out the Jackson Hole Daily for what’s going on!
Happy Spring!
Today
by Billy Collings
If ever there were a spring day so perfect,
so uplifted by a warm intermittent breeze
that it made you want to throw
open all the windows in the house
and unlatch the door to the canary’s cage,
indeed, rip the little door from its jamb,
a day when the cool brick paths
and the garden bursting with peonies
seemed so etched in sunlight
that you felt like taking
a hammer to the glass paperweight
on the living room end table,
releasing the inhabitants
from their snow-covered cottage
so they could walk out,
holding hands and squinting
into this larger dome of blue and white,
well, today is just that kind of day.
Nature
By Sherine Shah
The morning sun shines so bright with its light.
The owl and moon come out at night.
I watch the birds fly high in the sky.
Oh, how I love to see them go by.
When spring comes around, butterflies flutter their wings
In happiness of fresh flowers saying,
“Yes! It’s spring.”
What’s in the woods
3/3- magpie nest building
3/3- swans flying over Wilson
3/5-magpie nest building
3/6- rain/snow mix
3/7- black-headed junco at feeder in town
3/12- Wilson, WY- robins return
3/14- wet storm/ wind
3/20- first day of spring- female mountain bluebird, meadowlark calling
3/19- freezing nights/warm days- corn snow forming
3/22-town mostly brown due to snow melt
Trail Suggestion
Hard to predict what is best to do in April. Base your decisions on the weather and keep a good book by your side. Paved bike trails will be free of mud so a great place to walk or ride. The inner park road in Grand Teton Park is closed to traffic but open to recreationists. Drive to the Taggert Lake trailhead and access the inner park road. Fun to walk, bike or rollerblade. Have fun!
