Posts Tagged ‘tours’

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.

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.

 

 

Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve

Posted on: November 1st, 2016 by thcAdmin No Comments

A recent trip had me traveling Florida’s Gulf Coast between Naples and Tampa. A stop in Cape Coral led to a paddle in the Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve. I able to access the water at a shop located along Pine Island Road called Gulf Coast Kayak. The staff was very helpful. You can put on the water just behind the shop for a $5 fee, and the signing of a waiver. There is a generous parking area adjacent to the shop.

gulf-coast-kayak-shop

Gulf Coast Kayak provides tours of the area, if you are looking for a guided experience. You can rent and go on your own. SUPs are also available.  If you have your own boat you can access the parking via the $5 fee mentioned previously. The shop is well stocked with everything you might need. As I was getting ready to launch one of the guides gave me a quick overview of the area.

gulf-coast-kayak-shop-interior

I set out from the shop heading North, skirting to the inside of the islands avoiding the choppier open water. Eventually, I ran across a creek with a decent current emerging from the mangroves ahead. Following this creek brings one to Thirsting Lake. I did not have the opportunity to paddle further on and access the creek feeding into the lake from the North East. I would suggest completing the paddle, it is not much further, once you look at a map. The current provides a gentle pace back to the open water, one hardly needs to paddle. The solitude drifting back through the mangrove was delightful. Plan on 3-4 hours to complete the tour.

matlacha-birding

Upon my return, I was able to talk to some folks who were just getting off of the water from their guided tour in a different area of the Preserve. They thoroughly enjoyed their tour and had nothing but compliments for their guide. It being late October, there were not a large amount of birds in the area, but we all saw a variety of species. I did have the opportunity to observe a number of Eagles harassing Osprey for their catch, some amazing flying was going on.

matlacha-paddling

The Great Calusa Blueway paddling trail runs throughout the area as well. The trail system looks well worth exploring.

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***