Posts Tagged ‘wildlife’

Elk Bugling and Wildlife Viewing

Posted on: September 17th, 2019 by thcAdmin No Comments

With the coming of Fall, animals in Jackson are on the move in while readying for the coming winter. It is a great time of year for catching the elk bugling and wildlife viewing from Jackson North through Yellowstone National Park. The elk are in rut, the distinct shrill of the bull elks mating call can be heard in their attempt to lure  mates. Bulls are courting their harems throughout the valley by “bugling.” Early mornings and evenings are best for wildlife viewing.

Guided tours are available, an experienced local guide can be the key to a successful safari. Sunrise or Sunset wildlife safaris are available and last about 4 hours. Geology and local history of the area are incorporated into the tour.  Participants walk away with a greater understanding of the valley and the forces that shaped it.

sleeping indiadn moose fall jackson hole grand teton

Early morning balloon flights can be another way to take in the herds that are moving along the West bank of the Snake river in the Teton Village area. You can observe the elk herds from above, while comfortably floating in a hot air balloon. The foliage only adds to the experience once the colors begin to change throughout the valley.

Wildlife Tours

Posted on: August 21st, 2019 by The Hole Concierge No Comments

Expert guides will lead you on the adventure of a lifetime. Their local knowledge is key to finding the wildlife and understanding how these animals move throughout and relate to this vast and varied ecosystem. These tours will also touch on Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, depending upon which type of wildlife tour you choose.

elk refuge winter 2

The best wildlife viewing can be found in the early mornings and evenings. One can anticipate seeing elk, moose, bear, eagles, big horn sheep, buffalo, coyotes, swans and pronghorn antelope. The guide generally chooses a tour route based on their knowledge of recent wildlife sightings and the groups interests.

yellowstone national park bison

Tours will additionally cover some of the areas history and geology to round out this educational opportunity.

Concierge’s Tip

Some local transportation services do have guides that can tour people through the valley for an hourly private driver fee starting at about $90/hr. This is great for people short on time. One can always combine a short tour with airport transportation to fill the void on your travel day. If you have a 1pm flight or later, get a guide for a few hours on the way to the airport. The Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park are on the way after all.

General Information

Pricing for the various trips range from around $100 a person for adding onto a group tour up to $200+ a person for private full day tours. Some guides supple snacks and water, for full day adventures lunch is usually included.

For more information on wildlife and other activities in Jackson Hole, please contact us.

Alive @ Five

Posted on: August 8th, 2019 by thcAdmin No Comments

Alive @ Five occurs on the Teton Village Commons and is a free program. An all ages event. This summer series provides both an educational and entertaining element to evening in Teton Village. Programs run from 5-5:45pm throughout the summer. The Village Commons area is just around the corner from the Aerial Tram and Mangy Moose.

Tuesdays-“Raptors” is an engaging program. This interactive educational presentation on the wildlife and ecology of Jackson Hole. This is an excellent way to further your knowledge of the area while exploring the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

birding wildlife

Wednesdays-“Winged Wednesdays” with the Teton Raptor Center. Come see live hawks, falcons, eagles, and owls. Learn about unique adaptations that make them the unparalleled hunters of the sky. See birds of prey at arm’s length and flying freely overhead.

Thursday-“Wild Things of Wyoming” looks at Wyoming specific species. An interactive and engaging experience. Learn more about the animals that make their home in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

A pre-dinner program to take advantage of if you are in the area. Teton Village continues to grow and provide a dynamic vacation destination. The entire family can entertain themselves is a quaint village atmosphere with plenty to do all day long. If you are not staying in the village, make the trip out and explore the area. There are also a number of free concerts in a series called “Concerts on the Commons,” which occur on Sunday Evenings.

 

Snowshoe Sampler

Posted on: March 9th, 2019 by thcAdmin No Comments

The Snowshoe Sampler Tour offers a unique glimpse at Grand Teton National Park. A professional guide will lead a short excursion introducing you to our local ecosystem. Tours depart from Teton Village, after a short drive up the road to the national park you will gear up and begin your adventure. The two hour foray is an excellent alternative for the non-skier(s) in the group or for those looking for a day activity off of the slopes.

snowshoe tour hole hiking

The experience will generally offer wildlife viewing opportunities and scenic views of the valley, especially on clear days. Grand Teton National Park and the Jackson Hole valley are part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which is the largest intact ecosystem in the lower 48 states.

sleeping indian winter 4

Snowshoeing is as simple as walking, the adjustable poles assist in balancing. Opportunities to learn about the local geology, flora and fauna while perhaps doing a little tracking abound. Bring a camera.

animal tracks in snow

Your guide will provide snacks and water along with the necessary gear. If you do not have a a national park pass the entrance fee is $5/person. Dress in warm layers, mittens or gloves, hat, and warm boots. Sunglasses or ski goggles are recommended on sunny and/or windy days. We would be happy to help you arrange a tour. Cost is $75/person.

 

 

Yellowstone National Park Winter

Posted on: January 15th, 2019 by The Hole Concierge No Comments

Yellowstone’s Winter Season is mid-December thru mid-March

During the winter months the majority of roads within the park are closed to automobiles. Snowmobiles and snowcoaches are really the only two ways to explore the park. Check out the snowmobile and snowcoach pages for further information.

Once inside the park you can snowshoe and cross country ski from various lodges. Yellowstone is truly awesome in the winter time. With the varied geothermal feature’s steam accented by the crisp winter air. Animals are often found clustered in small herds throughout the park. There are far fewer people in the park during the winter season, making tours much more unique.

Do not miss out on this remarkable adventure. It is an encounter with nature on a level rarely seen or experienced in the lower 48 states.

Be prepared for a long day. Tours usually pick up between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. Breakfast and lunch are often included. The return time really depends on the weather, most tours generally arrive back in Jackson between 5 and 6 p.m.

Multi-day tours are also available through some vendors. These tours will venture into more areas of the park than the day tours. There is a much greater ability to see, know and understand this ecosytem and its inhabitants.

General Information

Be prepared. Dress warmly. Costs for these tours can be $300 or more per person, with peak season rates over $400.  National Park Entrance Fee – $20 per snowmobile.

Drivers in Yellowstone National Park must have a valid Driver’s License.

Bring your camera and enjoy.

For more information on wildlife and other activities in Jackson Hole, please contact us.

Dinner and Elk Viewing

Posted on: March 1st, 2018 by thcAdmin No Comments

Combine a dinner sleigh ride with elk viewing at the Mill Iron Ranch. Taking a horse drawn sleigh ride to view the elk is awesome. A short sleigh ride which incorporates viewing of a resident elk herd, will be followed by a hearty Wyoming dinner.

After an active day nothing beats a great meal combined with some Western hospitality. There is a resident elk herd in the area of the ranch which can often be viewed during the sleigh ride. Always a unique dining experience.

Dinner sleigh rides are one of the more popular activities during the winter season, so book early. The intimacy of the ranch and the authentic Wyoming experience offered by the crew at the Mill Iron is unsurpassed. I recommend working this experience into your schedule while  visiting the area.

Head South of town and hop into a sleigh at the Mill Iron Ranch, if you would like further information and/or reservations, contact them directly at 888-808-6390 or 307-733-6390.

String Lake

Posted on: September 26th, 2017 by thcAdmin No Comments

String Lake is located in Grand Teton National Park. The trail head is accessed at the south end of String Lake via the String Lake parking area. The trail provides access to Jenny, Leigh & String lakes, Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, Cascade and Paintbrush canyons. The lake is located at the base of Mount Saint John, and connects Leigh Lake to Jenny Lake. You can branch out, if you want, and create various loops by linking different segments of trail to thoroughly explore the area’s entire trail network.

string lake mount moran

Circling String Lake itself provides a hike of just less than 3.5 miles with just under 600′ in elevation gain. The trail’s elevation gain occurs along the backside of the lake. As the trail meanders west along the very base of the Tetons, wonderful views of the area abound. The water tends to be fairly warm due to the lake’s shallowness. Bring a swim suit and a towel so you can take a dip. The water’s clarity is unsurpassed. The lake is quite shallow.

String Lake has always been a great place to kayak or canoe on calm waters. In recent years the lake has become quite popular with Stand Up Paddle Boarders. You can rent watercraft at at Dornan’s, located near the Moose visitors center. Inner tubes are fun to take out as well. On the weekends it can get a little crowded, locals come out in good numbers.

string lake

To get there, turn west off the Teton Park Road at the North Jenny Lake Junction and continue roughly 1.5 miles to the String Lake Trailhead. There is a large parking area, it will fill up at mid afternoon during peak season.

Phelps Lake

Posted on: August 5th, 2016 by thcAdmin No Comments

Phelps Lake in Grand Teton national Park can provide for excellent day hiking. Many will choose to only go to the overlook and return to the comfort of their vehicles and touring of the park. Those looking for a little more can choose to circumnavigate the lake or explore Death Canyon. Phelps Lake serves at the gateway to Death Canyon.

The area is beautiful. Once you get beyond the overlook the crowds will disappear. Pack some lunch, making it a day hike up Death Canyon provides dramatic contrast.  The canyon walls tower above you. At the top of the hike there are sweet views of the Teton Shelf.

Trails lead to the lake from the Laurence Rockefeller Center as well. You can add a couple miles to your adventure and see the center as well.

Grand Teton and Yellowstone Open

Posted on: May 4th, 2015 by thcAdmin No Comments

The South entrance to Yellowstone National Park, which is the nearest to Jackson Hole, is ready to accept visitors. Spring is an adventurous time of year to visit the area. Weather can be unpredictable, but wildlife is on the move! The melting snowpack provides a beautiful contrast to the local mountains.

elk refuge sleigh ride jackson hole wy

Most animals in the area will follow the receding snow  line into the high country surrounding the valley. Elk in particular migrate in large number in and out of Yellowstone, wintering here on the National Elk Refuge. You may see large numbers of animals still on the refuge or just a few stragglers, depending upon the snowpack.

yellowstone national park bison

 

Birding for Beginners

Posted on: January 1st, 2015 by thcAdmin No Comments

On Thursday, January 8, the National Elk Refuge will offer a Birding for Beginners program at 9:30 am. The program will include a 20 minute presentation at the visitor center on birding basics and a field session on the refuge to practice identification skills. Participants should be appropriately dressed for the outdoor outing, which will last up to 1.5 hours. Naturalists will have binoculars and field guides to share, but guests are encouraged to bring their own supplies if available. Reservations are recommended. The class, offered free of charge, is limited to 16 participants. The class will be offered again on Saturday, January 31.

Ranger Guided Snowshoeing

Posted on: March 6th, 2014 by thcAdmin No Comments

Join a ranger for an educational and fun hike through the snow. Rangers offer guided snowshoe hikes from the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center.

Programs begin on December 26th and run through mid-March, snow depth permitting. The snowshoe walk lasts 2 hours. Beginning at 1:30 each day and ending at 3:30.

Reservations are required, call (307) 739-3399 for more details and to make reservations. Reservations are accepted beginning on December 1st. A $5 donation is suggested for the rental of snowshoes (provided during the ranger lead program). Support your national Parks. The program is a free service of the Ranger Programs from Grand Teton National Park.

Please wear appropriate winter clothing (e.g. hat, gloves, snow/wind pants, boots, etc.) and don’t forget your sunscreen and sunglasses.

Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival

Posted on: September 19th, 2013 by thcAdmin No Comments

September 23-27, 2013

The Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival is now in its third decade. This biennial 6-day conference  draws nearly 700 leaders in science, conservation, broadcasting and media to celebrate the world’s finest nature films. An unmatched international industry event.

In alternating years, JHWFF hosts a Science Media Symposium targeting over 300 science media stakeholders. The object is to recognize excellence in media that illustrate the wonders of science and its far-reaching impact on our daily lives.

In 2013 we will see the launch the first Jackson Hole Conservation Summit. The inaugural 4-day conference, produced in partnership with the United Nations Great Apes Survival Partnership and the Arcus Foundation, puts its focus on the world’s Great Apes.

Jackson Hole is an amazing place. In a world facing unprecedented global environmental threats, JHWFF believes in the power of ideas and the power of media to inspire wonder and catalyze change through personal action. Beyond its industry conferences, JHWFF is equally committed to creating multidisciplinary educational and community enrichment opportunities. By integrating year-round programs that coordinate photography and digital media with art, science and nature.

I would strongly suggest checking out the list of events and attending whatever may peak your interest.

Big Red Tours

Posted on: September 3rd, 2013 by thcAdmin No Comments

Big Red Tours  is an open top double-decker bus now offering tours of Jackson Hole. The experience is awesome. Sitting in the open air upper deck gives one a fresh new perspective on the world. Big Red allows tour participants to concentrate on the the beauty of the park and the surrounding environment by never having their views interrupted by oncoming traffic. You would never think of this, but with the elevated you do not really observe other vehicles on the road resulting in reduced stress levels which enhance the overall experience exponentially.  Wildlife can be easily spotted at a distance and observed from the upper deck, while the lower level provides an enclosed experience with large viewing windows giving participants shelter from the elements.

big red tours jackson hole

Sit back and take in the sites with Big Red Tours. They are available for group events, weddings and other special occasions as well. Honestly, after living in Jackson for over 15 years, this is one of the most enjoyable times I have ever had touring around the area. I highly encourage taking advantage of this new and unique way to experience Jackson Hole. Since the upper deck is open air, it provides an excellent platform for photos.

New from Hole Hiking

Posted on: February 8th, 2013 by thcAdmin No Comments

New Winter 2012-13 Nature Excursions

I have just received an update from The Hole Hiking Experience about some new tours that they have to offer. You can turn your day into a true Jackson Hole adventure, by combing tours together into a single package The valley has a lot to offer, let their team of professionals make your day a memorable one. They have put these two new tours together to help you make the most of your time here and experience the beauty of this magical place. If either of these options  look like they are for you, book the tour with them directly to reserve your space today.

Winter Wildlife and Snowshoe

Trip Length- four hours
Rating- all abilities
This unique expedition begins at 8 AM and combines wildlife viewing with a snowshoe tour through Grand Teton Park. Spot wildlife in their natural setting as your local naturalist shares the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Visit habitats of bighorn sheep, elk, moose, deer, eagles, Trumpeter swans, and much more. After time spent exploring mixed habitats with optics, you will journey into the forest to look for animal tracks and sign and connect to the landscape on snowshoes. Snowshoe outing is about an hour of experience.

$125 per adult, $95 per child (12 and under), based on two or more people.

Snowshoe and Sleigh

Trip Length- approximately 8 hours
Rating- all abilities
Combine a snowshoe tour in Grand Teton Park with lunch at historic Dornan’s in Moose. End the day with a horse- drawn sleigh ride on the National Elk Refuge as you travel through the majestic elk herd. Your naturalist guide will share winter ecology, adaptations, geology, wildlife behavior, and natural history of this amazing area. Transportation, lunch, snowshoe rental, sleigh ride and optics provided.

$210 per adult, $175 per child (12 and under), based on two or more people.

***these tours do not include the park entry fee***