July Nature News: Grand Tetons Display Rainbow Mosaic of Color

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LOCAL

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The swift pace of summer has arrived to our small valley of Jackson Hole. The Wyoming Department of Transportation did an awesome job rerouting and opening Highway 22 over Teton Pass over the past two weeks. A landslide destroyed part of the road in early June closing one of the three main routes in and out of the valley. As we reach the height of summer tourism, it’s great to have all the roads open again. July and August are the two busiest months of the year as people travel in to enjoy wild nature and experience the beauty of this amazing ecosystem during the warmest and longest days of the year.

With over 1,000 species of blooming plants in the region, the rainbow mosaic of color along hiking trails and into the backcountry is breathtaking. Snow continues to dot the higher elevations but is quickly melting off. June was a bit warmer and drier than normal so recent afternoon showers are welcome to help the blossoms and keep the dust of the trails.

Enjoy summer out on the trails,

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REGIONAL

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Birth of Wakan Gi, the Auspicious White Buffalo

A white buffalo (bison) calf was born in Yellowstone in early June. This is a sacred totem to the Lakota people. The birth signifies hope and a sign that more needs to be done to protect the earth. It was named Wakan Gli. It’s quite an auspicious sign indeed. We all need to listen and continue to care for our precious home and its resources.

Learn More:

• A Rare White Buffalo Calf Arrives in Yellowstone With a Message
• Tribes honor the birth of a rare white buffalo calf in Yellowstone and reveal its name: Wakan Gli

Management Challenges in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is approximately 22 million acres of wild nature that connects the web of life in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. This dynamic ecosystem requires continual management to balance the needs and ensure the survival of all the precious creatures that call this land home. Managers from local, state and federal agencies collaborate to make these decisions and coordinate efforts around resource decisions. Let’s all help to ensure the safety of all the species that call the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem home.  

Some tough question are being asked currently about predator management and which agencies are to be held responsible. It was reported about recently in WyoFile‘s Steeper Penalties were available in Wyoming wolf torment case.  

Also in discussion is how will we balance the size of deer, moose and elk herds and the threat of Chronic Wasting Disease? Should we continue to feed elk in the winter? Check out this ongoing study about Chronic Wasting Disease and a Wyoming deer herd, also reported by WyoFile, A Wyoming mule deer herd is so riddled with CWD it could nearly vanish.

Invasive aquatic species are a huge concern in the GYE. Each summer, boats are inspected to ensure clean, safe water for native species. You can read more about that via the Wyoming Game & Fish Department’s article, Aquatic invasive species prevention.

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SPIRIT

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Field Facts

• Lots of baby birds around flying awkwardly and calling to the adults for food with a continual “chirp” or a “caw” if crows or ravens.
• Enjoy the flowers and identify with field guides — one of our favorite’s is Plants of the Rocky Mountains by Kershaw, MacKinnon, and Pojar. Many flowers are medicinal, some edible and a few poisonous, so use caution. Peak flower time is approaching when they can be found at all elevations.

Backcountry Tips

• Hiking etiquette: uphill hikers have the right of way and downhill hikers should yield and step off the trail cautiously so as not to trample vegitation.
• More people get hypothermia in July than in January! Be prepared for varying mountain conditions. High winds make it significantly colder at higher elevations.

Trail Suggestion

July and August are a great time to explore the subalpine/alpine trails. 90% of the snow has melted in the Tetons making it the best time to hike in the high country. Taking the aerial tram in Teton Village is a wonderful way to easily reach 10,450 feet and access the southern trails in Grand Teton National Park. Marion Lake is an incredible hike from the tram. Death Canyon is a favorite of ours. You can choose to hike at the base or journey up to the alpine meadows. Enjoy, prepare properly and travel lightly.

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