• Most black bears have entered dens for the winter, even in low snow years.
• Most grizzly bears will enter dens during November during average snow years.
• Regardless of snow conditions, the bighorn sheep rutting period begins.
• All hibernating small mammals that were active in October, such as chipmunks, are now hibernating.
• Rough-legged hawks return from Arctic nesting grounds for their winter in Jackson Hole. 
• Migrations of trumpeter and tundra swans bring higher numbers of swans to the valley.
• Most deer and elk will migrate from summering areas to wintering areas, but timing and migration rates will be influenced by snow. 
• Most pronghorn will leave the Jackson Hole valley, bound for winter ranges south of Pinedale in the Green River Basin.
• Adult bald eagles with nesting territories in the park remain year-round and will prey on a higher number of waterfowl, as fish become less available under ice.
• Long-tailed weasels and snowshoe hares will turn from their brown summer coats to winter's white pelage (coat).
• Beaver activity will be strongly influenced by ice conditions as they continue to stash willow and other cuttings under the ice for a long winter's food supply.
 

MICHELIN DONATES GREEN TIRE PRODUCTS  

FOR USE IN GRAND TETON  

Through a recent partnership with the Foundation, Michelin has donated green, energy-saving tire products to Grand Teton National Park for use on the park's maintenance vehicle fleet.  The tires will help the park achieve its mobile sustainability goals, while allowing Michelin to monitor the performance of its tires in extreme terrain and weather conditions. 

Michelin's partnership with Grand Teton National Park is a win-win for both organizations," said Steve Miller, field engineer for Michelin America's Truck Tires.  "Michelin's fuel-saving tires help the park reach its sustainability goals and, in return, we get to test our tires in one of the most grueling and demanding environments imaginable."

Michelin met with park service maintenance personnel in 2011 to determine their truck tire challenges.  Michelin's tires now outfit the park's most rugged and heavily used vehicles including refuse, dump and plow/sander trucks which maintain the 110 miles of roads within the 310,000 acre park. These vehicles operate year round in temperatures ranging from 93 degrees Fahrenheit to minus 66 degrees Fahrenheit and in an environment that presents challenges with altitude, dry and wet weather, and variable surfaces such as sand, snow and off-road. During the peak tourist season in summer, the maintenance crew hauls asphalt and other road surface products so visitors can get to their hiking, camping and fishing destinations within the park. In the winter months, the crew plows and sands the roads that are kept open throughout the winter. In addition to tires, Michelin is providing training to GTNP's mechanics for proper tire maintenance, care and monitoring. Michelin field engineers regularly consult with the park's maintenance crew to review the performance of the tires and make adjustments as needed.

We thank Michelin for their longtime commitment to environmental responsibility and for their help in promoting sustainable mobility in Grand Teton!

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, conditions permitting.  They are offered daily at 1:30 p.m. and last two hours, ending at 3:30 p.m.  

Reservations are accepted beginning on December 1, 2012.  A $5 donation is suggested for the rental of snowshoes (provided during the ranger program), but the program is free. Please wear appropriate winter clothing (e.g. hat, gloves, snow/wind pants, boots, etc.) and don't forget your sunscreen and sunglasses.