December.
It was an interesting month in regards to weather. We spent the beginning of the month with some snow in the mountains but barely any in the valley. We had warmer temperatures with some rain. We all know that rain isn’t good for the snow pack.

With a big winter predicted, we all looked out our windows like the Cat in the Hat hoping the rain drops would turn to snow so we could play. Well, our wishes came true and the week of December 17 brought snow to the valley. As I look out my window on Dec. 21, we have a fresh foot of snow. What a solstice gift!

For me, the winter solstice is a winter highlight: the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. At this time, the light of the sun is furthest away from the earth. I went skiing to celebrate the solstice. It was perfect with 13 fresh inches of snow. I skied beneath the spruce sentinels shrouded in fresh snow. It was peaceful and quiet. I could hear the ravens and saw a raptor playing on the thermals. It was perfect. The solstice is a celebration of light. Days begin to lengthen as the sunlight returns to the northern hemisphere.

In ecological terms, the snow world is called the nivean environment. All species that winter in Jackson Hole pass this season living in some contact with the snow. Some are denned deep in the ground under the winter blanket. Some live within the snow pack called the subnivean environment. Some dig dens. Some live on south and east facing slopes to find more exposed vegetation. Some have coats that turn color as the season changes. Regardless of the species, you can look at nature and realize they have evolved to live with winter. With this season of darkness and cold, species try to survive. They survive knowing the light will return with the warm, upcoming spring.

By the end of the month, snow finally blanketed the valley. This is important since snow is our winter insulator. It insulates the ground so once we have 6 to 10 inches of snow, ground temperatures will stay at 30 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

What’s in the woods:

12/2: A few inches of snow in the valley. Bradley-Taggart Lake: Ermine with a caught mouse.

12/4: Rain in the valley.

12/10: Elk Refuge: Elk, Coyote.

12/11: 50 inches of snow at 9,000 feet!

12/15: Grand Teton National Park- Three Moose. Elk Refuge- Elk near fence, Bald Eagle.

12/16:Victor, ID: Two immature Bald Eagles, Ravens and Magpies feeding on carcass. Taggart Moraine: Cow Moose.

12/17: Snow! Victor, ID: Sharp-tailed Grouse.

12/21: 13 inches of snow!

12/22: Teton Pass: Bull Moose.

12/25: Victor, ID: Gray Partridge.

12/27: Victor, ID: Male and female Downy Woodpeckers.

12/28: Antelope Flats: seven Moose (five bulls).

12/29: Fall Creek Road: Great Grey Owl, Two Moose.

Trail Suggestion:

Phelps Lake is a great place to ski tour in Grand Teton National Park or you can also just enjoy a nice snowshoe tour through the forest and forego the Phelps Lake destination. There is some rolling terrain as you approach the lake so it is more of a moderate tour. But, options really are endless and for a more level outing you can explore Whitegrass Ranch.

To reach the trailhead, drive to Moose north of Jackson. After the visitor center, you will turn left onto the Moose-Wilson Road and the trailhead is about three miles down the road. The parking lot is on the right. The ski to the lake is five miles roundtrip. It is about 1.5 miles to the summer parking area and this part of the tour is fairly level. For beginners this three-mile tour might be perfect. Have fun. Be prepared and remember to stop and listen to the sounds of winter.

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.