As soon as the snow melts, new shoots and leaves burst forth with life. The valley and lower hillsides are bright green as plants begin to grow and photosynthesize — the process in which plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to make oxygen and energy. The chlorophyll produced in the leaves is what makes […]
hiking
August Nature News: Epic Wildflower Displays, Fire Danger and Reforestation
What a magical summer here in the Tetons! It’s been a season of clear blue skies and, due to the abundant spring rain, the alpine meadows appear endless with brilliantly blooming wildflowers. There are 1,000 varieties of flowering plants in our region and with blooms at all elevations, there’s lots to admire right now. Find peak […]
July Nature News: The Sweetness of Summer in the Tetons
You can’t beat summer in the Tetons. Summers are short but certainly sweet. With our cool, wet spring, the wildflowers are thriving and the valley is green, green, green. Summer began on June 21 and the crisp, clear mornings and blue skies make Jackson Hole an idyllic place to be. Snowpack still limits trail access […]
June Nature News: A chilly and wet spring will deliver a peak display of wildflower blooms
Due to the unseasonably cold weather of April and May, spring has been slow to arrive in Jackson Hole. We are about two weeks behind our typical spring bloom. Most days have been wet and depending on elevation, you may experience some rain or snow. A winter weather advisory was posted for Memorial Day weekend. The good news is our mountain snowpack is close to normal. Just a bit of sun and warmth will encourage the flowers to “pop” into bloom. We are on the cusp of amazing color with sunny and warmer weather arriving by the end of the week.
May Nature News: Cool Spring Preserves Snowpack
Late season snowfall and cooler temperatures have helped preserve the snowpack. Melting snow is crucial to keep the summer meadows moist and blooming as well as keeping wildfire risk at bay. After a mild winter, the cool spring has been a welcome change. Water content in the Teton snowpack is currently about 70-80% of average. […]
