January brought winter storms, wind, sun and rain. Typical weather except the thin snow pack on the valley floor. Playing in the mountains becomes a challenge when you have to navigate through the thick vegetation at lower elevations. This year, the temperatures are warm enough that the valley snow continues to melt so the usual white landscape is missing. … [Read more...] about January: winter storms, wildlife, thin valley snow
Nature News
Enjoy monthly nature insights and information from the founder of The Hole Hiking Experience, Cathy Shill. Cathy is a biologist, expert guide, and acclaimed leader of the natural world. She created The Hole Hiking Experience in 1989 to inspire others though nature.
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December: Solstice, Christmas Bird Count, Elk on the move
The month of December begins with white peaks and a brown valley. The warm temperatures in November melted the valley snowpack so the month starts with biking and hiking at 6400 feet. By the third week, the Solstice brought winter back to Jackson Hole and over a foot of snow fell in the mountains and the valley landscape changed. Due to the low snow … [Read more...] about December: Solstice, Christmas Bird Count, Elk on the move
November: record temperatures, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort opens, month of gratitude
November has been a warm month with record temperatures. The beautiful weather has kept birds in the valley and they flock to my feeders. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort opens for ski season with warm temperatures, high avalanche danger and rain. November is the month of gratitude as we celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s also the time to comment as the federal … [Read more...] about November: record temperatures, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort opens, month of gratitude
October: Indian Summer, RAY of warmth, animal migration, wolves hunted
October brought Indian Summer. Temperatures reached the sixties with cold nights. The air carried a sense of warmth and the whisper of winter. The month was quite pleasant. Animals migrate. Morning frost covers the meadows. Off season descends on the valley. After a cold September, the month of October brought time to play, time to finish outdoor … [Read more...] about October: Indian Summer, RAY of warmth, animal migration, wolves hunted
September: local earthquakes, smoky valley, RAY of change- fall arrives
The month of September brings seasonal change, smoke in the air, local earthquakes and snow in the high country. September begins smoky with reduced air quality. No big fires burn near Jackson Hole but the western United States is experiencing the worst fire season ever. 74 major wildfires burn in eight western states. Oregon has fires burning the size … [Read more...] about September: local earthquakes, smoky valley, RAY of change- fall arrives