LOCAL
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As March begins, winter feels like a brief whisper of cold and snow. Old Man Winter has blown gently this year. We’ve seen other warm winters with little snow in the valley, though fortunately the mountains around Jackson Hole are currently close to average for snowpack. Much of the state and the broader region, however, remain quite dry.
March, April, and May can still bring welcome moisture. Mountain flowers depend on a steady, melting snowpack to grow and thrive. As we each work to change our imprint on the earth and reduce our impacts, we can help Old Man Winter blow strong again.
Learn more:
Wyoming wraps up its warmest winter ever, surpassing Dust Bowl records
As the season shifts, the sounds change with the arrival of birds and the start of snowmelt. We can feel the brightness as the days lengthen, announcing that spring is on its way. I heard Red-winged blackbirds along Flat Creek in late February, and yesterday I heard the call of a flicker. The ravens outside my office are busy at their nest.
Spring is joyful, full of new life and change. I am ready for it, with the hope that it will be a wet one.
Happy Spring,
Cathy Shill
Founder, The Hole Hiking Experience
REGIONAL
The Largest Climate Deregulation in U.S. History
In 2009, our government determined that greenhouse gases are a pollutant. Sadly, in February 2026 the Trump administration ended this protection, rolling back climate regulations and weakening the Environmental Protection Agency. It represents the largest deregulation in U.S. history. The earth will suffer, and ultimately so will the species that depend on it. I am always perplexed that we, as a species, struggle to recognize how essential the earth is to our own survival. Each country must rise to do its part. I grow weary of comparisons to what other countries are doing. We, as the United States, must do our part. This is not a regional issue but a global one. The science is clear: greenhouse gases heat the atmosphere.
Learn more:
- Trump revokes landmark ruling that greenhouse gases endanger public health
- President Trump and Administrator Zeldin Deliver Single Largest Deregulatory Action in U.S. History
SPIRIT
It may be
that some little root of the sacred tree still lives
Nourish it then
that it may leaf and bloom and fill with singing birds.
—Black Elk
Nature Awaits You!
Backcountry Tips
- With thin snow and more bare ground, remember that wildlife closures remain in effect until May 1, 2026. March and April are especially challenging months for wildlife, so please give them space.
- As trails begin to open, avoid recreating on muddy sections. Both footprints and bike tires can damage the trail. This is a great time to stick to bike paths and let the trails dry.
Field Facts
- Early nesters in Jackson Hole include ravens, eagles, great horned owls, and mountain bluebirds. Enjoy the change of season!
- Lack of valley snow has kept elk moving, so fewer have been on the National Elk Refuge. As they begin to drop their antlers in March and April, the reduced number of elk on the Refuge will mean fewer antlers available for the Boy Scouts’ spring antler auction. Most of the proceeds go back to the care and feeding of the refuge elk.
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Find adventure or serenity in nature while snowshoeing or wildlife viewing with one of our top-rated naturalist guides.
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Tour Suggestions
With temperature changes, the snow can solidify, creating a crust—perfect conditions for crust cruising. As the season warms, corn snow may form: a rough, granular surface that lets you glide on top of the snow. This happens when the top layer of snow loses its delicate snowflake structure and becomes tiny balls of ice.
Crust cruising in Grand Teton National Park is always a treat. You can park at the Taggart Lake trailhead, put on your skis and go. Downhill or backcountry skiing is great fun when the snow changes to corn, also. When recreating in the valley, be mindful of muddy trails to reduce impact, making bike paths a great spring alternative. Enjoy the start of spring.
