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The Hole Hiking Experience

The Hole Hiking Experience

Jackson Hole Hiking, Wildlife Tours, Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing

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July Nature News: Stunning Wildflower Displays and Grizzly Bear Challenges

July 5, 2021

By the summer solstice, energy soars in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem with long, sunny days, young animals frolicking about, young birds calling from their nests, blooming flowers, and lots of curious visitors. The snow continues to melt at higher elevations fueling wildflower jubilees in alpine meadows. With over 1,000 species of flowering plants in Jackson Hole, the summer meadows are a spectacular mosaic of color. Consider hiking up into the mountains to catch the show.

This summer was foreshadowed by a dry spring season and very hot and dry conditions continue to prevail in Jackson Hole. By the middle of June, fire danger increased to high due to dry vegetation and lack of rain. 52 abandoned campfires have been reported by Teton Interagency personnel! A fire ban is now in place as dry conditions have further increased fire danger to “very high.” Please respect all fire bans.

Learn more: Campfire restrictions coming to Jackson Hole


Local — Grizzly Bears

The Grizzly Bear is an iconic and important species in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Its survival is critical to a healthy and balanced ecosystem. Habitat and territory size changes along with human interaction are creating challenges. Bear 863, fondly known as Felicia, and her two cubs of the year have just gone through a two-week hazing operation to keep them from U.S. Highway 26 and all the people who want their picture. Learn more about how you can help to ensure their survival. Remember to give all wildlife space. Maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from bears or wolves and 25 yards from all other wildlife.

Learn more: Bye, Felicia? Hazing isn’t popular or pretty, but it’s keeping celebrity grizzly away

Read more articles about the Girizzly Bear challenges here in Jackson Hole:
UPDATE: Grizzly euthanized by WGFD
Wildlife advocates protest the possibility of euthanasia for Grizzly 863

Regional — Record-breaking heat hits the West

Granted summers are typically hot in Jackson Hole, but this year the heat wave has arrived earlier and is staying longer. Over a six-day period during the middle of June, a dome of hot air languished over the Western United States, causing temperatures to skyrocket. From June 15-20, all-time maximum temperature records fell at locations in seven different states (CA, AZ, NM, UT, CO, WY, MT). Currently, a high pressure system envelops the West trapping hot, dry air.

Read more: Record-breaking June 2021 heatwave impacts the U.S. West


Spiritual

We are in the mountains,
and the mountains are in us…
Wonderful how completely
everything in wild nature fits into us…
The Sun shines not on us, but in us.
The rivers flow not past,
but through us…

-John Muir


What’s in the Woods (field notes)

6/3 mid-eighties in town, hot and dry
6/5 (Hoback) larkspur, arrowleaf balsamroot, sugarbowl, leopard lily, penstemon, clematis, Indian paintbrush, dwarf waterleaf, cow elk with new calf, western tanager
6/7 (Snow King) geranium, phlox, young ravens begging from parents, serviceberry
6/8 (Cache Creek) geranium, false salomon seal, valerian, scarlet gilia, penstemon, arrowleaf balsamroot, serviceberry, chokecherry, death camus, phlox
6/12 (Dayton, Ohio) cicadas, lightning bugs, great blue heron, bats
6/16 (Game Creek) geranium, scarlet gilia, penstemon, flax, waxwings
6/16 fire danger level raises to high on public lands
6/23 (Ski Lake) geranium, balsamroot, lupine, flax, larkspur, Indian paintbrush, hot and dry
6/23 (Snake River) Bull Moose near the river looking for a break from the heat
6/26 (Atherton Creek) evening primrose, penstomen, sunflower, pronghorn, mule deer, Moose along Gros Ventre River


Tour Suggestion

Join us for an interpretive hike to learn more about the flora and fauna of Jackson Hole. If you head out yourselves, look for mid-elevation hikes around 8,000 to 9,000 feet to enjoy beautiful wildflower displays in mountain meadows. In the Southern Tetons, Ski Lake is a local favorite. You can find lots of hiking options from this trailhead. Paintbrush Canyon is a great trail in Grand Teton Park and not as heavily traveled as some of the other canyons. You can’t beat an afternoon on the water during the heat of the day so join one of the many rafting companies to get wet. It’s quite busy on the roads and trails right now, so take a breath and enjoy the view if you get delayed.


Backcountry Tip

  • make sure to give all wildlife space
  • headache is one of the first signs of dehydration — enjoy lots of Jackson’s fresh water
  • tread lightly

Filed Under: Nature News

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Staff Pick: Sunrise Wildlife Driving Tour + Hike (full day)

We’ll start by exploring Grand Teton National Park by vehicle to spot wildlife in the early morning light. Then experience a great hike in the mountains surrounding Jackson Hole. Learn more »

 
Celebrating 33 Years of Guiding
 

COVID-19 Safety

Safety is our primary objective while sharing nature with our guests. Guided hikes will be conducted in compliance with all County, State, and Federal guidelines for COVID-19. Read more »

Experience Nature




The Hole Hiking Experience is an authorized permittee and non-discriminatory winter concessionaire of Grand Teton National Park and an equal opportunity provider and permittee of the Bridger-Teton, Shoshone, and Caribou-Targhee National Forests. Established in 1989. ©2021, all rights reserved. For information and booking: 307.690.4453 or info@holehike.com.

The Hole Hiking ExperienceLogo Header Menu
  • WINTER
  • SUMMER
    • Hiking Tours
    • Wildlife Tours
    • Backpacking
  • DETAILS
    • Clothing + Gear
    • FAQs
    • Snacks + Picnics
    • Visiting The Area
  • ABOUT
    • Meet our Naturalists
    • Nature News
    • Reviews / Press
    • Stewardship
    • Videos
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
  • Book Now
  • CALL (307) 690-4453