October.
Sleet, rain, snow, and sun.
The month’s weather was a mix.
Rain and snow combined to dominated the first week. Fall colors prevailed. The hills were covered in golden light with a dappled mix of red and burnt orange and the green of the conifers.
By the second week, it was warm again. I could smell the dampness, the quietness of the forest. After the moisture, the plants began to break down. It is time.

Squirrels cached lots of cones. A La Niña year was predicted, which usually brings above average snowfall in the Tetons.

On the sunny days, the clouds would part and the snow-covered peaks would emerge to stand over the valley: white peaks stark against the blue sky.

During one snowy stretch, I was in Granite Creek and the fresh snow fell in blankets with big wet flakes. It was magical. Time spent in the hot spring with nights serenaded by the wolf howl.

Other thoughts:

This season makes me understand how wolves could be frightening. If you were a homesteader, a large predator would have been intimidating. Instead of realizing their need for survival and necessity to hunt, we killed them to protect the elk herd and our livelihood. If the philosophy was to coexist with this great animal, the inherent fear we have today would be nonexistent.

It boils down to the simple belief of living “with” other species. We are all dependant on the basic elements: earth, water, fire and air. Who is to say that we, as humans, have a greater right than others? Granted there are bad wolves and some do kill livestock but there are also bad people who kill others.

I truly hope within my heart that we wake up as a species and learn to live with all creatures. It would be a sad day if the wolf howl was heard no more.

Experiences:

I had the joy of spending time with a nice woman visiting from New Zealand. It was such fun to share in her excitement about squirrels and chipmunks. So many of us look over those small animals without any acknowledgement and she saw them for the wonderful creatures they are. It is interesting how our perceptions are shaped by where we live. Of course she saw the bison, moose, elk and deer, too, but she found true joy in a small creature that her country doesn’t have. This time of year has them busy as beavers as they gather and cache their food stores.

At the end of the month, I had the opportunity to spend the weekend at The Murie Center in Moose, Wyoming. As I sat in Olaus and Mardy Murie’s cabin, I could feel the energy generated within those four walls. Guidelines were set for the wilderness act and protecting of wild lands such as the Artic National Wildlife Refuge. As the walls whispered the stories, I felt the strong connection to the land.

Final Reflection:

Mornings are covered in frost. Elk are on the move. Snow covers the high country. The ermines have molted and now white coats. And so, the season changes.

What’s in the woods:

10/5 Victor, ID: Two mature bald eagles near nest by Trailcreek.

10/6 Grand Teton National Park: Three bull moose. Bison, pronghorn, great-horned owl. Snowy, overcast.

10/7 Darby Canyon: Snow on the Tetons. Two ruffed grouse.

10/9 National Elk Refuge: Beautful fall day. Ravens and bald eagle playing on thermals.

10/12 Munger Mountain: Ruffed grouse, downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, lots of cached cones by red squirrels.

10/15-10/21 Granite Creek: Cold and snowy. Wolves howling, coyotes, belted kingfisher, red squirrels, lesser chipmunk.

10/24 Victor, ID: Beautiful and sunny. Oregon junco, magpies.

10/26-28 Murie Center, Grand Teton National Park: White ermine, bull and cow elk, stellar jay, male and female pine grosbeak, oregon junco, red squirrel.

10/29 Highway 22: Red tail hawk.

10/30 Fish Creek: Cool and rainy. Belted kingfisher.

10/31 Teton Village Road: 30-40 elk.

Trail Suggestion:

As long as the trails are clear, go hike! Visitors are few, so go enjoy the pulse of Mother Nature and the solitude found outdoors. I like to hike near water, so some of my favorite water trails are Teton Canyon which is in the Jedediah Smith Wilderness area on the western slope of the Tetons. It is in the Targhee/Caribou National Forest and you access the trailhead right after you drive through Alta, WY.

Granite Canyon and Taggert Lake in Grand Teton National Park are great places to explore. Also, Pole Canyon is a great uphill hike right outside of Victor, ID in the Snake River Range.

Water is sensory, so take the time to stop, listen and relax into the sound. Snow can come any day so enjoy these beautiful days and the time outdoors.

Biologist Cathy Shill has always been passionate about nature, so to act on this passion, she started The Hole Hiking Experience in 1989. She has been hiking the hills ever since, and continues to be awed by Mother Nature and the majestic beauty of Jackson Hole. Join her and her staff to connect, slow down and experience this amazing ecosystem: www.holehike.com.