April 2021 Daily Journal For GTNP & JH

Welcome to April!

The JH News and Guide Daily newspaper reported today that GTNP purchased the Snow King lift and will be installing the chairlift to the top of the Grand. It was part of the April Fool’s edition, but I didn’t catch it right away.

April is a month of noticeable changes

The Snake River Bottom is now open for foot traffic north of the Moose Visitor’s Center. This gives us access to Schwabacher Landing, though it takes a 3/4 mile hike each direction.
Antelope Flats Road was still closed as of April 1st, but I expect it to open to vehicular travel soon. I saw the snow plows working the area this morning, but the gates were still locked. You can still hike in.
The Elk Refuge Sleigh Rides are still in operation, though on rubber tire wagons. There are still around 2000 elk on the Refuge, but I didn’t see a lot of antlers in the group.
Most Bison are still on the north end of the Refuge, but I expect them to head north soon.
The roadway between the Taggart Lake trailhead and Signal Mountain is open to hikers and bikers. It will open to vehicles on May 1st.
It’s Spring Break for the kids here in Jackson, but based on the amount of people I see downtown, it must be Spring Break for other areas.
Hibernating animals are beginning to reappear. That list includes Bears, Ground Squirrels, Marmots, & Chipmonks.
Migrating birds are on the move. Some of the wintering birds, like Trumpeter Swans and Rough-legged Hawks, will be heading north. Other birds, like Sandhill Cranes, Bluebirds, Robins, and Meadowlarks are moving in.
Currently, the “snow line” is from Moose Junction north. South of that line, much of the snow has mostly melted. This is holding some animals in the southern portion of the park.
Moose are moving out of the river bottoms and back onto the sage flats. Of course, none of the bulls have much in the way of antlers.
Grizzly tracks have been seen in GTNP, but actual sightings have been almost non-existent. They are expected to appear within the next two weeks.
Mountain Goats in the Snake River Canyon have been essentially a “no show” this year. 79 were reported killed inside GTNP and 29 more are targeted for this year.
The four Gray Wolves that wintered on the National Elk Refuge have been recently seen in the Kelly area.

March 24, 2021April 19, 2021

Wish You Were Here! Vintage Jackson Hole Post Cards & Maps

Post Cards Home Page

Decades of history preserved a few cents at a time!

Postcards, when combined with period area maps, are invaluable resources. They can reveal the evolution of tourist destinations in a way few books can. Publishers of both postcards and maps are always “in the moment”, supplying the most current information to the traveling masses as they visit parks and tourist destinations around the world. As the years and decades roll along, the once topical information becomes 10¢ “windows into the past”. Tourists buy postcards for two primary reasons. First, they purchase them, fill them out while on the road, and mail the colorful cards to their friends and relatives. Inscriptions on many postcards include the lines, “Having a great time. Wish you were here!” Second, tourists purchase extra cards to document their own trip. They take them home and store them in a folder, scrapbook, or journal. Those postcards are often unused and beautifully intact. Years later, both genre of cards show up, giving them a second life for nostalgic collectors. The postcards unwittingly document ever so slight changes in the area they represent. With its majestic mountains as a backdrop, Jackson Hole has always attracted tourists, artists, photographers, and poets. It’s only natural they would want to document their trips, and with that, many publishers catered to them with colorful postcards, books, guides, and pamphlets! Continue reading

March 16, 2021March 19, 2021

Mormon Row: Mid-March Access and Tips

Until the gates are opened, access is only a 3/4 mile easy hike over an asphalt road.

On the day I took this set of photos, southern Wyoming and much of Colorado was getting hammered with a huge late season winter storm. Jackson Hole, on the other hand, was being bathed in early spring like warm temperatures and beautiful blue skies. In a few months, Jackson Hole will be experiencing another busy year — possibly a record year — with tourists flocking to Wyoming’s wide open spaces. Interestingly, I made the short hike to the Mormon Row barns and, until I returned to my vehicle, I didn’t see a single person.

A Short Window of Solitude

March 1, 2021March 4, 2021

March 2021 Daily Journal For GTNP & JH

Welcome to March!

March often ushers in a few changes, or cracks in winter’s stronghold on Jackson Hole. As I write this first entry on March 1st, the early morning temperature was 3°F in the park. By the end of the week, forecasts call for highs in the mid-40s. Some of the wintering wildlife may begin to move around, especially by the end of the month. I might also expect to see a few colorful Mountain Bluebirds moving back for the summer. With that said, it’s still winter here and many of our park roads and access points are closed (See Map near the bottom of this page). During any particular week, another winter storm could blanket the region with fresh white snow again. March “can be” a tough month for wildlife photographers, while it can be excellent for landscape photographers. I like both options, so I simply go out and try to capitalize on whatever presents itself. Photos in today’s entry should give you an idea of how any particular day can offer up a variety of surprises. As always, you NEED to check back on this page regularly throughout the month March. I will be loading it with new photos, maps, links and comments.

February 2021 Daily Journal For GTNP & JH