This report is provided by Cathy Shill, owner of The Hole Hiking Experience.
The month started with an announcement from Mother Nature that winter is not far away. I am sure that we felt the same as all the species in the valley: Not Yet! Over Labor Day weekend, we received a rain/snow mix. Clouds hung over the valley. Rain pelted the windows and we all realized that change is coming. Since that brief reminder of the upcoming winter, we have had a beautiful month. Maybe it was the signal to appreciate these glorious days since they won’t last forever.
September is when you can feel a sigh in the valley. The crowds have left. The bugs have gone. The energy of summer is waning. Birds migrate. The valley breathes a sigh of contentment. It has been another busy summer in the Tetons and now we can relax a bit. Work comes at a slower but consistent rate. People have time to greet each other, chat, and stroll on their way. It is a nice time of the year. I was able to spend a long day hiking in the Tetons.
With this seasonal change, a mosaic of color blankets the hillsides. Granted with over 1000 flowering plants, summer meadows have brilliant color but this time of the year it is softer. The colors of autumn- bronze, taupe, brick, lemon yellow, burgundy, burnt yellow- are just amazing! Fall colors are peaking in the Tetons so everywhere you look Mother Nature’s fall palette covers the hillsides.
As much as we relax and enjoy this time of the year, nature continues to pulse with life and change. If anything it will speed up as winter approaches. The bears will more actively forage to gain every last calorie before the long winter’s sleep. The elk and moose are mating so they are hormonal and quite active. As the sun sets, the sounds of the evening are dominated by the elk bugle as they vocalize their location to warn away other male competitors and to attract females. Squirrels and chipmunks become more visible as they gather cones and seeds for the upcoming winter. Snow will come and we will welcome it but for September and October it is the time to enjoy life, connect to nature and just be.
As we slow down, our thoughts go elsewhere as we plan our time away. Fall is vacation time in Jackson as we all plan adventures. I am off to Fallen Leaf Lake with childhood friends for a weekend of fun and laughter. The latter part of the October has me travelling to Africa where I will climb Kilimanjaro.
I hope the change in the season finds you refreshed and grounded as we approach our season of dormancy in the northern hemisphere.
What’s in the Woods
9/1-9/5- Leland Michigan- Ruby-throated hummingbird, Blue Jay, Bald Eagle, Cormorant
9/6- Taylor- male and female Three-toed woodpecker !, Blue Grouse
9/11- Ski Lake- bull, cow and calf moose
9/14- Gros Ventre Slide- pika, Grand Teton – elk bugling, bison
9/16- Victor, ID- some cottonwoods turning yellow
9/19-GTNP- Avalanche Canyon/Cascade Canyon- porcupine, cow/calf moose, cow moose, clark’s nutcrackers, ripe huckleberries on vibrant red bushes, mountain maple- cream yellow, mountain ash orange berries/fiery red leaves
9/22- Teton Valley, Idaho- two sandhill cranes
9/25-Snake River- Bald Eagle, numerous Canadian geese
9/25- Susan and John McCullough’s park tour- moose- cow and calf, numerous pronghorn, bison, river otters!, elk bugling!, deer, trumpeter swans, red tail hawk
9/27- Table Mountain- Blue Grouse, Bull Snake, Clark’s Nutcracker, beautiful fall colors
Trail Suggestion
With this spectacular weather, just get outside! Fishing is great in the fall and the cottonwoods make any river float spectacular. An evening drive in Grand Teton Park is great to listen to the elk. I would visit Lupine Meadows or Death Canyon to get a bit away from the highway noise. For fall colors, Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton National Park is amazing with the golden hue of the Aspen trees.
Hiking near water such as Hermitage Point and Schwabacher’s Landing will be beautiful with the fall colors. The Aspen Trail in Darby Canyon is a great fall walk. You need to drive over Teton Pass on Highway 22. Once you enter Idaho the route changes to Highway 33. You continue on the road until you see the Darby Canyon sign near the Spud Drive-in. You turn right, drive up the canyon and you will see the trail sign on the left. This trail meanders through the Aspen with great views of the Idaho valley. If you want a longer hike, continue to the end of the Darby Canyon road and hike to the Wind Cave which is about 7.0 miles roundtrip. It is hunting season in the national forest so wear orange and be prepared for cooler temperatures. Have fun!