8+ day backpacking trip in the Teton wilderness in May/June. Hunting(small game)/fishing possible?

[Brian Skibbe]

Brian, now just giving you an update on the local snow conditions. Here in this Jackson Hole country, it is being a winter where the snow just doesn't want to stop but keeps on going and going. I posted a reply in the winter snowpack thread, and thought I would post something here. If it keeps going like this, then in a good possibility going back to the Soda Fork Meadows in late May will be out unless one wants nothing but snow. Here locally up high, we are even beating the record year of 1996-97 up high now. And the wet spring is yet to come. Now up high above Teton Village, near 500 inches has been recorded (this morning at 494 inches) and the snow depth has passed over that 150 inch depth mark. Am beginning to think now to postpone the trip for myself (If I even do go) till early June maybe. See what the weather keeps on doing. But right now it is nothing but snow and more snow on a everyday basis especielly high up. Wishing You the Best!

Hello there!! I've been away from the forum for a few days, so I just got to this. Oddly enough, I just read your post with the percentages of snow on the other thread, before coming to this one..ha ha. Thank you for the update! It certainly seems like a soda fork meadows trip will have to be in early June now, as opposed to late May. I'm not opposed to snow-shoeing in if thats what it requires. But that being said, what's most important for this trip is to hike and camp in the wilderness, and see as much wildlife as possible...and like I'd stated...moose, elk, and grizzlies, hence choosing the Yellowstone area. (and be relatively secluded without running into outfitters or tons of hikers) I'm up to going into a different area, but if it eliminiates the chances of seeing the mentioned mammals, I could go about anywhere and backpack in the rockies...right?

Your help is always greatly, greatly appreciated!!

Sincerest regards,

Brian

 

[Kmatjhwy]

Brian, Just to let you now ... as time goes on, I am being more pessimistic and then more pessimistic towards this coming spring and summer for here as time goes on. The high country here is at record levels first. And now the current forecast is for continual precip (rain and snow down low), and snow up high for at least the next 10 days straight. This will mean more snow for the Soda Fork Meadows and area. Guess we will have a spring and summer at somepoint. But whenever it will be, it will be ONLY ONLY when this current Ice Age is Over!

And personally, I am soooooo ready for spring and summer with green grass and everything. Might have to go south to ever see it for a good good lonnnggggg while. Maybe this will be one of those rare rare years when locally we might not even have much of a summer. Hope am wrong! Now will keep you informed. Wishing You the Best!

 

[Brian Skibbe]

Brian, Just to let you now ... as time goes on, I am being more pessimistic and then more pessimistic towards this coming spring and summer for here as time goes on. The high country here is at record levels first. And now the current forecast is for continual precip (rain and snow down low), and snow up high for at least the next 10 days straight. This will mean more snow for the Soda Fork Meadows and area. Guess we will have a spring and summer at somepoint. But whenever it will be, it will be ONLY ONLY when this current Ice Age is Over!

And personally, I am soooooo ready for spring and summer with green grass and everything. Might have to go south to ever see it for a good good lonnnggggg while. Maybe this will be one of those rare rare years when locally we might not even have much of a summer. Hope am wrong! Now will keep you informed. Wishing You the Best!

I'm listening! I will continue to monitor the weather out there, and look for your updates! If I have to change my plans completely, I will. But I will keep my options open!

Thanks again!!

 

[Hobble Creek]

Brian,

Did you end up going to the Thorofare last month, or earlier this month? I'm hoping you and/or Kmatjhwy can provide an update of the snow/water conditions. Is the route to Hawk's Rest passable?

 

[Absarokanaut]

Stream flows are still quite treacherous here and in that remotest of areas almost always well into July let alone a far above average year like this. Lots of snow still visible on the southern exposures of far lower elevations of the West side of the Teton Wilderness.

I believe Brian is coming to the rea soon but knows he can't go terribly far from Turpin Pacific Creek, or Brooks Lake without packing snowshoes.

Kamathjhwy has gone to Alaska indefinitely.

 

[Brian Skibbe]

Hello, guys.

I just got into the area Thursday night, as my vacation plans got delayed. However, I camped at the Turpin Meadows Campground last night, and hiked to the Sodafork Meadows, and ran back out(workout/training), just to check the area out before I backpack in for a few days. Based on what I saw, maybe others can give you recommendations relative to the conditions I witnessed. That first crossing at Clear Creek was about knee-high. When I got to the north end of the soda fork meadows and observed the confluence of this soda fork and the Buffalo, they were both full, and running briskly. As far as snow goes, it looks like it's receded quite a bit, and appears to be just on the tops of the surrounding mountains, maybe higher than you were thinking, Absaro..

I'll be heading back in there tomorrow, to camp at the north end of the soda fork Meadows. (unless the outfitters are set up where I want to be, as they have one site set up at the north end of the Meadows already, and I passed two heading in when I was coming out this morning)

 

[Hobble Creek]

Thanks Brian and Absarokanaut. That's helpful information. Looks like we might need to have some flexibility in our plans.

 

[Hobble Creek]

On Monday, June 26 we stopped into the ranger station to see whether there was any new information we ought to know before heading out to Hawk's Rest. When we told the rangers we were going to Hawk's Rest he said, matter of factly, "No you're not." He proceeded to show us a recent aerial photo of the Yellowstone Meadow showing it to be completely flooded. He estimated the depth of the water and told us it was -- I swear he said 50 feet but it must have "only" been -- 15 feet deep. Fifteen or fifty, it was too deep to ride or hike across.

He suggested we might find good fishing along the Soda Fork, so we headed for there. We probably camped in the same spot Brian camped -- on the hill just above the outfitter camp on the north end of Soda Fork Meadow. It was a beautiful setting. From there we took several day rides. We had hoped to ride up the Soda Fork but the water in North Buffalo Fork was still too high.

None of us were particularly dedicated fishermen, and we didn't have any success. We fished near our campsite Tuesday, on the south end of North Fork Meadow on Wednesday, and in Divide Lake on Thursday. Friday we rode up to Parting of the Waters and back to camp -- around 24 miles round trip. That was a big day! Upon our return we were treated to a bear siting in the meadow. That explained the missing elk herd!

I'm guessing that by now the water is much lower, the fishing much better, and the area much more accessible. Definitely worth a trip!

 

[Brian Skibbe]

On Monday, June 26 we stopped into the ranger station to see whether there was any new information we ought to know before heading out to Hawk's Rest. When we told the rangers we were going to Hawk's Rest he said, matter of factly, "No you're not." He proceeded to show us a recent aerial photo of the Yellowstone Meadow showing it to be completely flooded. He estimated the depth of the water and told us it was -- I swear he said 50 feet but it must have "only" been -- 15 feet deep. Fifteen or fifty, it was too deep to ride or hike across.

He suggested we might find good fishing along the Soda Fork, so we headed for there. We probably camped in the same spot Brian camped -- on the hill just above the outfitter camp on the north end of Soda Fork Meadow. It was a beautiful setting. From there we took several day rides. We had hoped to ride up the Soda Fork but the water in North Buffalo Fork was still too high.

None of us were particularly dedicated fishermen, and we didn't have any success. We fished near our campsite Tuesday, on the south end of North Fork Meadow on Wednesday, and in Divide Lake on Thursday. Friday we rode up to Parting of the Waters and back to camp -- around 24 miles round trip. That was a big day! Upon our return we were treated to a bear siting in the meadow. That explained the missing elk herd!

I'm guessing that by now the water is much lower, the fishing much better, and the area much more accessible. Definitely worth a trip!

Hello there!

I'm positive you camped at the same site that I did as well, by your description. Such an incredible view, eh?! I was there three days, but ended up coming out, as my primary reason for heading into the Teton Wilderness was for the wildlife viewing, which I surmised that I missed by a week or two. (i.e. elk herds, moose, etc....) I ended up spending alot of time hiking in Grand Teton NP, and I fulfilled my desire for wildlife sightings. (four black bears, multiple moose and elk, antelope, mule deer..) I spent a fair amount of time in Jackson as well, familiarizing myself with that gem of a town.

I really need to do a trip report, but I have so much going on right now. (Colorado next week for a full week of backpacking in the Aspen-snowmass wilderness) I have some great photos of all around Jackson Hole.

Safe travels!!

Brian

 

[Absarokanaut]

Brian! Sorry I missed you on your way out. When are you coming back?