New views

We have started revisiting some of our favorite hikes amid all the snow.

Only a few are still accessible, though. Taggart Lake's parking lot is clear and we've taken advantage of the packed trail with our hiking boots. Others cross-country ski, or snow shoe. Hiking with snow boots makes for a longer walk. Each step is a cautious track searching for stable snow. The piles are three to four feet high in places so we keep to the groomed tracks. 

Sled Dog Race

The International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race 2009 kicked off in Jackson on Friday night. It is the largest sled dog race in the lower 48 and features teams from all over the world with various skill levels, including one musher who has won the Iditarod 4 times and has logged over 100,000 miles on a dog sled! 

For more on the race visit www.wyomingstagestop.org

In preparation Jackson road crews trucked snow back into the town and packed it down on local streets, much to their chagrin I'm sure.

The teams were a surprising mix of breeds and ages with some teams comprised of many pups from the same litter. 

There was one constant: all the dogs were incredibly anxious to run. While waiting to start dogs barked nervously and lunged against their harnesses. You might also notice that the dogs in this photo are wearing little booties to protect their feet from sharp ice and frostbite.

Mushers were men and women alike and rode on different types of sleds. Perhaps a new career for Traci???

Teams left in 2 minute intervals with a crowd of several hundred people cheering them on in single digit temperatures.

Deconstruction of a Beard

Alas, the time had come. And just like that I dusted off the clippers and sheared off 4 months of true mountain man authenticity. The beard had run its course and mustaches are not compatible with a bad head cold, if you catch my drift. Of course I couldn't resist the urge to try out several new looks. I had promised TMA several days of me sporting a mustache, but I think she'll be more pleased with this brief photographic evidence. She has suggested I start shopping for scarves. 

I think the handlebar mustache turned out quite nice. 

The carnage was great and I spent quite a bit of time cleaning the bathroom, but it's good to be semi-respectable again.

Tough Hiking in the Snow

Most of Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) is closed to vehicular traffic during the Winter. A few areas of the Park are still accessible and we have taken to hiking these frequently. Moose-Wilson Road, which connects GTNP & Teton Village and provides access to the new Rockefeller Nature Preserve, is such an area. The closed road is a popular cross country ski and snowshoe path because of it's flat surface and scenery. 

As we hiked we stayed to the packed paths; to do otherwise left our feet deep in the snow. Eventually I got curious and measured the snow pack. This photo shows how far down I dug to get to what I believe was ice atop the asphalt. 

The entrance to the Rockefeller Preserve off Moose-Wilson Road shows only cross country ski and snowshoe tracks. Each step across this meadow was a surprise as at times we sank up to our thighs in snow. 

Once we made it to the trailhead by the visitor center Traci discovered the trail guide box which holds maps and normally stands about 3 feet off the ground. 

Of course our hard work was rewarded with amazing views of the mountains. Clouds rolled in and out occasionally obscuring the peaks and dropping more powder. 

Wildlife visit The Lawn

With deep snow covering the higher elevations wildlife wanders down into the valley to forage. Hundreds of elk now populate the Elk Refuge. Mule deer have been sighted all over the butte out our front door, but I was finally able to get some good pictures of them close-up on the lawn in the daylight. Mule deer are a big breed characterized by their large ears. 

Shredding fresh pow-pow

Avalanche bombs blasting in the background was the music to our first snowboarding experience. 

We headed to Teton Village, or the "Ville," as our friends call the ski resort. The Teton range, of which the resort is connected, has received more than 50 inches of powder in five days. Avalanche warnings are at extreme levels with locals saying it's the most dangerous conditions in 20 years. A 31-year-old skier from nearby Wilson died in a "slide" of snow higher in the mountain yesterday.

We were safe on the smaller slopes with other ski school students. We had a terrific instructor, who managed to balance our different learning styles. Jason was methodical and perfected the toe-heel turns. I enjoyed the speed and openness of some of the runs when I could try turns. We both are popping aspirin and giving thanks for helmets. 

It was a gorgeous day amid heavy snowfall and we're scheming to try the town "hill,"  less-crowded Snow King, soon.

Merry Christmas!

Warmest greetings from our white Christmas! A large storm moved in early Christmas morning and has already dropped 7-8 inches in the Valley. The snow is supposed to continue all day and into the night; at least a foot is expected in town with more falling on the mountains. In fact the ski resort has closed about half of the mountain to skiers and stopped the tram completely; a rarity during the busy ski season.

 

Here's a shot of Flat Creek out our back door. Ice has narrowed the running water significantly, but water fowl still feed and play there.

Traci stands in the fallen snow on the lawn. We had a fun time playing on the local playground equipment in 18 inches of powder.

Frozen beards are fun, but pulling the ice out is not advised!

Trumpeter swans have established themselves on the creek and seem unphased by the cold temperatures.