LOCAL
A snowy February draws to an end and March begins with sunny, bluebird days. During the month of March, we typically experience all types of weather from sunshine to cold rain, wind and snow. Light powder days become fond memories as warming temperatures create big, wet snowflakes. Spring is a dance of changing weather. Male Grizzlies will soon emerge from their winter dens. They seek dead carcasses to gorge on for much needed protein and calories in order to regain strength. The call of the Red-winged Blackbird will soon be heard along with the flash of blue of the Mountain Bluebirds. Returning birds brighten the month with their brilliant colors and songs contrasting the brown landscape of the encroaching mud season.
Longer days and brighter sunlight also signify the arrival of spring. It’s interesting how our bodies can sense it. Light encourages us to lift our faces to the sun. Take the opportunity to pause and take it in with a few deep breaths. The pulse of the Earth and the daily changes at this time of the year are welcome after the dark days of December. All parts of nature respond to this change.
Spring officially begins on March 20, 2025. It’s a fragile time for many animals as they recover from the harsh elements of winter. Elk, moose, deer, bison and pronghorn are all in recovery mode, so make sure to minimize any disturbance. Early snow melt helps the animals by encouraging the growth of green leaves.
Enjoy this season of change,
Cathy Shill
Founder, The Hole Hiking Experience
REGIONAL
Trump’s Mass Firing and Budget Cuts
Teton County is so unique and special because 97% of its land is protected public land with roughly 22 million acres of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem beyond. Sadly, public land is at risk and wildlife will suffer. It’s time to pay attention. Large pieces of land in the western United States are National Forests with old growth forests. The Trump Administration has appointed Tom Schultz to manage our forests. He has no prior experience managing public land and is a proponent of logging. Budget cuts will affect the management of all federal lands in Jackson Hole and with millions of expected visitors this summer, the livelihood or our public lands is certainly at risk. The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce is encouraging the public to reach out directly to congressional and state representatives.
In other sad and shocking news, the government is currently dismantling the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). If the NOAA were to disappear, the United States would experience a loss of vital weather and climate information, which could lead to increased danger and economic hardship. We have witnessed increasingly drastic weather each year with record-breaking heat waves on land and in the ocean, drenching rains, severe floods, years-long droughts, extreme wildfires, and widespread flooding during hurricanes. The government is crippling the agency that studies and predicts changes in the environment.
Learn more:
- https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-02-27/mass-firings-noaa-national-weather-service-ignite-fury
- https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/27/politics/noaa-federal-workers-firings/index.html
SPIRIT
“God asks no man whether he will accept life. That is not the choice. You must take it. The only choice is how.”
—Henry Ward Beecher
Join a naturalist and truly discover the wonders of nature in Jackson Hole!
Find serenity in nature while snowshoeing or wildlife viewing with a naturalist guide. We offer tours for all activity levels, from our snowshoe sampler tour to wildlife driving tours to full-day snowshoeing tours in the backcountry. Find your speed and choose a tour to explore with family and friends. Head to our website to learn more.
Nature Awaits You!
Backcountry Tips
- Spring is a fragile time for wildlife. Winter wildlife closures continue until May 1.
- As days get warmer, snow will begin to melt around trees, rocks and bushes so be aware of rotten snow and air pockets as you move through the landscape.
Field Facts
- Bald Eagles, Ravens and Great Horned Owls are early nesting birds and will be found on their nests in the spring and may be incubating eggs as March begins.
- Pups will be born in March/April so wolves, coyotes and fox spend time near denning sites.
Tour Suggestions
Enjoy the temperature fluctuations. Cold mornings and sunshine make for great corn snow and crust cruising, which makes it easy to cover more distance. Try to seek out areas less traveled to find smoother surfaces. Maybe a ski tour around Timbered Island in Grand Teton Park? Grooming around the valley will end in March so make sure to check out the latest updates at JH Nordic and enjoy that while you can.
