Tag: bison

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.