Jackson Hole Hiking & Wildlife

By Cathy Shill of the Hole Hiking Experience
Nature News: April - May

Nature News-

April. The month was a mix of weather. Days of howling winds, blowing snow, pelting moisture followed by blue bird days with warmer temperatures, receding snow pack, active bird life and some animal migration. We now have 625 inches of snow in the mountains. We ended the ski season breaking all previous records. Depending on spring temperatures, it might be quite awhile before we hike in the high country.

April is the start of noticeable change in the Tetons. We begin to see the valley floor as the snow recedes. Many bird species return. Nature is awakening. Buds swell on the Aspen branches. Some birds begin to build nests and males sing to defend territories. We might not have Daffodils, Lilacs and Tulips for quite awhile but change is occurring.

It is a great time of the year to look for bears. They have just emerged from their winter dens and our actively in search of food. As always, if you see one, give it lots of room. You can imagine how cranky you would be if you hadn’t eaten for six months and lost almost half your body weight. Their main food in the spring is winter kill and with our deep snow, they are probably finding plenty of carcasses. They will basically set up camp near a carcass and feast on the meat. They will cover it with soil/snow to claim it and usually they are not far from their food source. A female Grizzly with three cubs has been seen near the Oxbow Bend and the Jackson Lake Lodge area in Grand Teton Park. She seems to fairly visible. Be careful, she did charge a man last summer that got too close to her food source.

Nature is awaiting the melting snow, the warmth of the sun, and moisture to burst forth in all her glory. I have heard of a few flowers that you might see. Some of our first are Orogenia or Indian potato which was a prized spring food source for native peoples and Sage Buttercup which is a beautiful yellow flower beaming within the sage flats among last years’ brown vegetation. Some flowers begin to photosythenize under the snow so as soon as they emerge they will bloom. As temperatures warm up, changes will be noticed daily.

I heard six wolves were shot the first week they were managed by the individual states: Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. The consensus is the wolves are smart and might be smarter then some of the hunters J.


What’s in the woods-
4/1-4/6- numerous raptors seen throughout the valley- mostly red tail hawks, but also swainson’s and kestrels
4/5- South Fork of Snake River- 3 bald eagles
4/8- Trail Creek- Female Moose
4/9-Victor-ID- bald eagle on power pole near Pole Canyon
4/11-Victor, ID- robins have made it back to town!
4/13- Jackson, WY- Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterfly
4/14- Victor, ID- numerous birds returning- juncos, flickers, robins
4/15- three inches of snow in our yard
4/16-Victor, ID- red tail hawks building nest
4/17-Victor-flock of Gray-Crowned Rosy Finches!
4/20-snowy, blowing snow, cold
4/23- Victor- 30 or so Gray-Crowned Rosy Finches
4/24-Bald Eagles feeding their chick(s)
4/26- off to New Orleans in search of sun and great music

Trail Suggestion:
In April, it is hard to predict the best places to play. It really is a day to day decision based on temperatures and weather. If we have snow in the valley and temperatures are freezing then skiing or snowshoeing is great in the mornings before the snow softens. As the snow melts, the Gros Ventre Mountains and the southern parts of the valley will begin to have some hiking options. Truly, April is the time of the year that we leave and enjoy our quiet off seasons outside of the valley. I snuck away to the Jazz Fest in New Orleans to enjoy music, sun and 80 degree temperatures. We have a two week spring vacation so majority of families head south and the valley is quiet. If you are here, it is fun to notice changes, have a good book so you are prepared for time indoors. You can always get latest weather and trail condition updates at the Visitor Center on North Cache in downtown Jackson or the Moose Visitor Center in Grand Teton Park in Moose, WY.

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