I had planned on making a January Journal around the first of the month, but other projects always seemed to call for my time!
My new site is getting most of the “spare” time, when I am not dealing with end of the year paperwork for the bookkeeper and the accountants. After selling our house back in June, we have an additional volume of paperwork for this year’s tax returns. Wyoming doesn’t have a state income tax, but Colorado does…added time. I have also been working to close down Best of the Tetons, Inc. to develop Golden Studios here in Loveland.
Click the thumbnail image to view Mike Jackson Photography. Actually, I have been quite busy, as you will see if you visit the site. I’ve been up to Rocky Mountain National Park a few times, but spend most of the photography time exploring the Front Range here in Colorado.
Enough of that! You want to know about the Tetons!
Since I am not there, I can supply information based on my 36 years of living in Jackson Hole, and rely on a few of my friends to give me an idea of what’s happening “on the ground”.
The Monthly Overviews should give readers a solid base of information. There can be some variations during each month from year to year, but overall, things remain about the same.
You might also note that I combined January and February this time.
For most purposes, both months are about the same. For example, moose and deer have lost their antlers. Foxes normally become more visible. Bighorns are on Miller Butte. Access to many areas of the Park is restricted to just a few main roads. Other than Dornan’s, no businesses are open inside the park. You might find otters along Flat Creek and possibly around Oxbow Bend. Elk are plentiful on the National Elk Refuge. Days are short and cold. The ski resorts are always open and active. You can find cross country ski trails and find a tour company to do a snowmobile tour into several areas. Well, you get the idea!
Reports from friends:
- It sounds like wildlife photography is unusually slow through the middle of January.
- The snow pack is good this year. Landscapes shots should be good.
- A few moose have been seen along the Gros Ventre. Most, if not all, bulls have lost their antlers.
- There are lots of elk on the Refuge.
- Bighorns are generally out of the rut.
- A few bison have been seen in the Kelly Warm Springs area.
- A few foxes have been seen, but it sounds like fewer this year than last.
This page contains a quick overview for each month of the year. Hopefully, the information below will give you a feel for the weather, animal activity, access, and events for each month in the Tetons. Click the links below to see actual photos taken during each of these month
January Overview:
January, along with December, are our traditional COLD months. Many of the zones are closed for the winter, along with some of the roads. Most of the animals have either left the valley, gone into hibernation, or have moved into the southern end of Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge. Days are short, yet the sun is low allowing you to take photos all day long.
Most of the winter months offer similar opportunities for both wildlife and landscapes: Check out: The Dead of Winter: The Cold Realities and Exciting Possibilities of Winter Photography in GTNP..
Suggested January “Opportunities”: Here are my top spots to check out—especially for wildlife. Some will be a bit of a gamble, but they might also pay off in a big way if you hit it right:
- Flat Creek Observation Deck: Look for Swans Along Flat Creek, Geese, Ducks and occasional River Otters.
- Boyle’s Hill Pond: Trumpeter Swans of Boyle’s Hill: (The link includes a map)
- Miller Butte: Look for Bighorns , Elk, Pronghorns, Coyotes, Wolves, Eagles, Ravens, Bison. Bighorns will likely be seen at the end of their rut cycle in January.
- Gros Ventre River: Look for Moose , Bald Eagles, Elk, and Bison there.
- Kelly Area: Look for Mule Deer at the edges of town and around the Shane Cabins.
- Alpine Junction: Watch for Mountain Goats near the mouth of the canyon.
- Camp Creek along the Hoback River: Check out Bighorns along the road.
- Sleigh Ride on the National Elk Refuge: Best winter deal in the valley!
- Around Town: Watch for Pine Grosbeaks & Evening Grosbeaks feeding berry bushes.
Important Winter Links
February Overview:
February can start out very cold, then warm slightly by the end of the month. In many years, Mountain Goats start becoming more dependable subjects. Red Foxes and Owls seem to appear in random places during this month. As in January, access in GTNP is limited. The southern end of the valley will probably be your best bet for the large game animals and possible wolves.
Most of the winter months offer similar opportunities for both wildlife and landscapes: The Dead of Winter:The Cold Realities and Exciting Possibilities of Winter Photography in GTNP..
Suggested “Opportunities”:Here are my top spots to check out, especially for wildlife. Some will be a bit of a gamble, but they might also pay off in a big way if you hit it right:
- Flat Creek Observation Deck: Look for Swans Along Flat Creek, Geese, Ducks and occasional River Otters.
- Boyle’s Hill Pond: Trumpeter Swans of Boyle’s Hill: (The link includes a map)
- Miller Butte: Look for Bighorns , Elk, Pronghorns, Coyotes, Wolves, Eagles, Ravens, Bison.
- Gros Ventre River: Look for Moose , Bald Eagles, Elk, and Bison there.
- Kelly Area: Look for Mule Deer at the edges of town and around the Shane Cabins. Also keep an eye out for a Porcupine near the Shane cabins.
- Alpine Junction: Watch for Mountain Goats near the mouth of the canyon.
- Camp Creek along the Hoback River: Check out Bighorns along the road.
- Sleigh Ride on the National Elk Refuge: Best winter deal in the valley!
- Around Town: Watch for Pine Grosbeaks & Evening Grosbeaks feeding berry bushes.
Important Winter Links
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January / February Journal for JH and GTNP first appeared on
Best of the Tetons, Area Info & Photography.
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