Jackson Hole: More great riding and the ultimate fix for faulty Pike forks

Thanks Rockshox!

I had heard snippets about the riding in Jackson Hole (the area surrounding Jackson), however as usual it’s very difficult to find good reviews on the internet.
We arrived after a short drive from the Grand Teton NP and promptly stocked up on food supplies on the local supermarket. That afternoon it was time to ride as there was rain forecast the next day. It was up over 1000ft to the top of the local ski hill, Snow Mountain. The views north back over the Tetons were amazing. Riding off the back of the hill it felt like a back country ride immediately. What followed was another classic alpine singletrack descent, then a climb through colourful aspens back  over to the Cache Creek Valley and Hagen
Trail that runs back into Jackson.

Top of Snow Mountain.

There's a bear and antler theme in Jackson.

The rain had set in the next day and I hopefully phoned the local bike shop (Hoback Sports) so see if they could service my Rockshox Pike forks that were feeling very ordinary. Luckily the mechanic (Brendan) seemed to know what he was talking about and (rare it seems) had regularly serviced Pikes. Being the end of season he could service the forks that morning. The good news stopped an hour later when he phoned back reporting that he was unable to get the forks apart to service them and looking inside the forks wasn’t a pretty sight. I dropped by the shop to have a look and discuss options including sending the forks to Rockshox with a two week turnaround. Brendan contacted Rockshox, 20 minutes later the news was a new pair of forks were being sent under warranty! Smiling more than Daniel Ricciardo after a F1 win, I did the short walk back to the RV in disbelief wondering if the 2 to 3 day delivery time would be longer. I shouldn’t have worried, less than 24 hours later the forks arrived from Indiana. Full credit to Rockshox and to Brendan for organising it all.

Stuffed animal anyone! Notice how big the wolf is, not to mention
the bear of course.

While the weather was bad we did a tour of downtown Jackson. Jackson has quite a few famous ‘residents’ (for at least three months a year) including Harrison Ford, Sandra Bullock….. The shops reflect the wealth and there are multiple galleries to wander around. Some of the art is fantastic, just add money. Taxidermy is alive and well here, just name the American stuffed head you want on the wall, then add money.

Park in centre of town

The weather cleared the next afternoon and with new forks it was off on a family ride up the Cache Creek Valley. We rode down the Putt Putt Trail enjoying some traversing but gradual downhill singletrack. There were a few technical sections with rocks and tight downhill switchbacks. To my surprise Symi and Fiona rode everything, their MTB skills seem to have gone to another level. There were a few short tough climbs on the descent, at the top we took the opportunity to rest and enjoy the amazing autumn colours. While the rain has become more frequent the advantage has been amazing trail conditions, apparently Jackson can be a dust bowl this time of year and the recent rain has been unseasonal.

Climb on Putt Putt Trail

View down to Jackson from Putt Putt Trail

With clear skies and no wind the next day it was time to explore Teton Pass. There are enormous riding opportunities here including one of Wyoming’s premier rides Black Canyon. First is the 2000ft climb to Teton Pass helped by using the Old Pass Road which is closed to traffic. From the pass it’s another 900ft climb to Mt Elly. On the climb to Mt Elly the views east across the Tetons and Jackson Hole are stunning. The descent was awesome. Initially black rated, fast and steep with switchbacks there would be a price to pay for running off line here. After the trail mellows to a blue rating as it descends into forest. There was plenty of speed in the lower sections and still being in grizzly country it wouldn’t be pleasant to surprise one on this descent. The bears use the trails to travel on, not worth thinking about too much sometimes. After a rest back at the RV it was time for a family ride, up the Old Pass Road then down the Crater Trail. It was another classic fast flowing singletrack blast.

View from Mt Elly (9274ft). Old and new Teton Pass
 road can be seen. Town on the flat
below is Wilson, RV parked near there.

Crossing Teton Creek, Grand Teton in view

Next day we left Jackson to drive over the pass to Driggs. However on the way I couldn’t resist another run down Black Canyon, it’s that good. Teton Pass is a perfect hill to shuttle, there are so many options that I didn't explore, maybe next time. After the ride it was the steep and slow drive up to Teton Pass, the RV earning it’s keep. It was then down to Driggs, Idaho and out to Teton Canyon. We found a free camp spot on Teton Creek. That afternoon Symi and I did a local singletrack ride across the river enjoying the stunning views from the west of the Tetons.

Jackson (in the valley centre left) from Teton Pass

The classic ride in this area is Mill Creek that ends just near where we were camped. First however is the 60 minute road climb to Grand Targhee Resort. From the resort it’s another 30 minutes up to the high point of the ride. The mountain views from here are beyond words as was the descent. Sitting at the high point you can see fantastic singletrack snaking down the hill, I eventually realised that is the first part of the descent called Colter’s Escape. At the end the trail meets Mill Creek. The whole descent is full throttle as it’s only a blue rating, huge fun.

Looking down on Colter's Escape

That afternoon it was time for another lap and I agreed to shuttle Symi and Fiona to the resort, then ride up to get the RV at the end. I wasn’t sure where I would find the energy for the hour climb at the end but with rain on the way the next day and a descent to die for, no wasn’t an option. Just as we were about to leave our neighbour Mike dropped by as he had promised to teach Symi how to use a flint to make fire. He is a real bushman and loves practicing the skills that have been largely lost today. Luckily he was going to Driggs and offered to give us a lift up to Grand Targhee on the way. The descent this time was more stop start however I was amazed at the relatively short waits for Symi, who seems to be leaving Fiona behind more and more on the downs!

Top of Colter's Escape

Learning how to use a flint with success

That night we enjoyed cooking lamb (hard to find in the USA) on our campfire. Our campsite was clay and I planned an exit strategy if the rain hit as it would be easy to get bogged getting out.  Sure enough the rain started heavily during the night. We woke at 7am and promptly left while we could. The RV successfully drove out but not without some sliding around. It was time to head east towards Boise.

Mill Creek descent

All Symi's work