March Nature News: Snow, snow, snow!

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LOCAL

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March began with a big snowstorm…within 24 hours, over 30 inches of snow fell in the Tetons and over a foot of snow blanketed the valley. The heavy snow and strong winds created a high avalanche danger, once again. February was a very wet month and snowpack is currently about 90% of average. We have a similar snow depth to last winter, which was one for the record books. The dryness of December and January feels like ancient history.

Spring officially begins on March 19, 9:06 PM Mountain Time. Our local community transitions to spring with the closing of national park roads and local ice rinks and the end of grooming for cross-country skiing. Make sure to check local grooming schedules since each trail has different end dates. 

As days lengthen, the natural world responds with buds on the trees, bears emerging from dens and birds returning to the valley. I have yet to hear the Redwing Blackbird but imagine I will hear that shrill any day now. 

Lean more: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-winged_Blackbird/sounds

Enjoy the start of spring by noticing the daily changes.

Cathy Shill
Founder, The Hole Hiking Experience

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REGIONAL

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Launches Wolf Recovery Plan

The subject of wolves is controversial and seems to draw a distinct line for most people, whether in support of this apex predator or not. Regardless of our feelings about them, wolves balance nature and play an important role in the United States. It has been proven that the lack of wolves negatively impacts the environment since ungulates, cloven hoofed animals, move less without the influence of predators. If they don’t move, they stay in a preferred location, overeat the plants so they cannot grow, and spread disease among the herd.

In February, the US Fish and Wildlife Service determined the importance of wolves and launched a National Recovery Plan.

Learn more:

• Service Announces Gray Wolf Finding and National Recovery Plan
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Initiates Effort for a National Dialogue Around Working Landscapes and Gray Wolves and Thriving Communities and Cultures

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SPIRIT

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“Can words describe the very breath of spring?”

— Neltje Blanchan

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Field Facts

• Due to the mild start to the winter, fewer elk are on the feed grounds and the National Elk Refuge will not feed the elk this winter. This means the animals are foraging on their own and won’t mass together, which minimized the spread of disease.  
• As daylight lengthens, bears will respond to the increased light and emerge from winter dens. The first bear is usually spotted in Yellowstone in March.

Backcountry Tips

• Moose have been seen on the pathways near the town of Jackson and near the groomed road in lower Cache Creek. Animals use trails and groomed pathways to conserve energy. Be vigilant since they can charge at high rates of speed.
• Snow melts around trees as temperatures warm so be extra careful near tree wells. Large pockets can form with the change of temperature so it is easier to collapse the melting snow.

Trail Suggestions

Lots of new snow to enjoy! Head out to the groomed trails before they begin to close with the change of season (generally around March 15).  Check out JH Nordic for latest updates and current grooming reports. I really enjoy cross-country skiing up the Hagen Trail then down the road in Cache Creek. I join the trail above Bridge 2 to miss the steepest section of that trail.

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