When to Visit Jackson Hole

March 31, 2015/in Uncategorized /by barker ewing

One of the main questions we get from travelers is “when is it the best time to visit Jackson Hole?” In reality, when isn’t the best time to visit Jackson would be a better question. Besides the off-seasons (April-May and October-November), our little town has a lot to offer visitors year round.

Contrary to many beliefs, Jackson during the summertime can be even more fun than visiting the winter wonderland that it’s best known as. Hiking, horseback riding, camping, biking, trail running, swimming, rock jumping, When to Visit Jackson Hole - Hiking in Summer tubing, paragliding…and the list goes on. Jackson offers endless activities in an outdoor paradise. It also doesn’t hurt that our neighbors are two of the most beautiful national parks in the United States.

One of the best and most popular activities during the summer here in Jackson Hole is rafting on the Snake River. The Snake River is home to two different types of trips: calm, scenic stretches where you can spot all types of wildlife, and our class II/III whitewater trip for adventure seekers. No matter which trip you choose, you are bound to have a great time.

On the flip side, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort boasts over 116 trails and record snowfall. Teton Village, located about 20 minutes from Jackson hosts the globally recognized resort known for its challenging terrain, vertical drop, and aerial tram. Whether you are interested in learning how to pizza or dropping into Corbets Couloir, JHMR has something for everyone in the family!

When to Visit Jackson Hole - Skiing in Winter

Wintertime in Jackson isn’t just limited to downhill skiing and snowboarding at the resort or the town ski hill, Snow King Mountain. Jackson Hole has tons of groomed nordic skiing paths and places to snowshoe. In addition to the winter wildlife safaris, be sure to check out the estimated 7,000 elk wintering in the National Elk Refuge.

Jackson is a great place to visit and offers travelers a variety of activities depending on the season. There’s always something going on- it’s just a matter of choosing what you want to do!

Wildlife you might see on a river trip…

January 17, 2015/in River News /by barker ewing

Often we get the question what kind of wildlife might we see on our river trip… we live in such a special place and are surrounded by nature! General rule of thumb is wildlife is more active in the early and latter part of the day. During the heat of the day, often they are less likely to be seen….

The opportunities are seemingly endless. Throughout the Snake River corridor, the bird life is phenomenal! We see Bald Eagles, Osprey, Red Tail and many other types of hawks, Sand Hill cranes, Great Blue Heron, song birds galore, many species of ducks, woodpeckers, and don’t forget my favorite, the amazing little hummingbirds! Perhaps we will see a beaver busying his/herself on their never ending workload; or an otter family playful, shy and curious in the current, a great treat indeed!

Then we move to the land dwellers! Deer, Moose, Mountain Goats (specialty of the Snake River Canyon) Elk, Coyote, Fox, Bear, Wolf, Mountain Lion…. listed from more common sightings to a rare gift. I have been lucky enough to see all these creatures great and small while on the Snake River here in Jackson Hole! The thing about wildlife is we just never know! The more time you are able to be in the field, the better your chances will be!

Jackson Hole Wildflowers on our Overnight River Trip

June 1, 2014/in River News /by barker ewing

All the beautiful Jackson Hole Wildflowers on our Overnight River Trip and Breakfast Combo Trip are a sight not to be missed! We were just at our private campsite along the Snake River doing our Combo Trips “shakedown” a couple nights ago. While Janet trained the new camp staff on all things kitchen & cookin’ and Jason rallied the new guides to put the finishing touches on the trail and the tent cabins, I took a walk. The wildflowers are starting to go off, and you do not want to miss your chance to see the beauty of our Pine Creek Camp this time of year! The first day of our Breakfast Combo Trip is Tuesday, June 9 and our Overnight Trip kicks off that week as well.

Barker-Ewing is TripAdvisor’s #1 Adventure in Jackson Hole!

May 7, 2014/in River News /by barker ewing

There’s no better way to feel confident in who you book with for your Jackson Hole trip of a lifetime than checking out review sites such as TripAdvisor. We’re thrilled to announce that Barker-Ewing Whitewater is rated TripAdvisor’s #1 adventure in Jackson Hole. If you’re curious about any of our river trips and want to see what types of experiences our guests have had, click here and take a look on TripAdvisor! We always love talking to you as well, but we do understand the value in receiving honest, unbiased guests’ reviews in the various public forums. A trip to Jackson Hole is truly not the same without a Whitewater Rafting Adventure or Scenic Float Trip on the Snake River!

Diary of a Jackson Hole Rafting Guide

March 21, 2014/in River News, Staff Stories /by barker ewing

I live in Jackson, Wyoming and work at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort as a liftee (not one who lifts but one who stands by lifts). Well, I’d like to believe I lift spirits as I greet skiers. Even when it’s cold out, I’m happy because I probably got fresh tracks on the way to work that morning. I’ve skied 73 days so far this winter. It’s turning out to be an epic snow year for Jackson Hole! I have 3 sets of skis, a road bike, a mountain bike, a kayak, a 14′ raft, a harness, a 1979 Subaru and a dog named Teton. In another month or two (a balmy low of 30* in Jackson Hole this morning), my skis will go back into the shed, and my paddles will see the light of day. I’m a river guide for Barker-Ewing Whitewater in the summer. I guide Jackson Hole rafting trips and scenic float trips on the Snake River. Soon enough, it’ll be time to work my arms instead of my legs; succumb to chaco tan lines over goggle ones; and, trade in my bad ski jokes for better river jokes. I can’t wait.

-RG

It’s Easy To Be Green

March 17, 2014/in River News, Staff Stories /by barker ewing

We strive to be the color of a leprechaun on St. Patty’s Day here at Barker-Ewing Whitewater! Here are just a few ways we aim to be a “green” company: We keep our offices ship-shape and buses tidy with Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day and Simple Green earth-friendly cleaning supplies. Our Barker-Ewing team players ride their bikes to work to cut down and help reduce our carbon footprint. Every vehicle is maintained to run efficiently and with the least amount of emissions possible. We print our whitewater rafting brochures on recycled paper, and we try to save trees additionally by opting to use online reservations and bill pay. Anything we can recycle, we do! Instead of paper products, we serve our scenic float trip meals on plate and silverware. From participating in the Snake River Clean Up volunteer day each summer to awareness in Jackson Hole’s Reduce Reuse Recycle program, we strive to do our part in keeping Jackson, Wyoming, the Snake River, Teton County and the environment at large in our minds and in our hands. Here’s to being GREEN today, tonight and every day moving forward.

Barker-Ewing is voted Best of JH’s 2014 Best Outfitter silver medalist!

March 14, 2014/in River News /by barker ewing

Barker-Ewing Whitewater is voted Best of JH 2014’s silver medal winner for Best Outfitter! Thank you for all your support over the last 51 years to all our friends, family, guests, supporters and colleagues. We appreciate YOU! Thanks for voting us one of the best outfitters in Jackson, Wyoming. We wouldn’t be here without YOU! Come join us for a Snake River whitewater rafting adventure or scenic float this summer in Jackson Hole! Celebrating 51 Years | 1963 – 2014

Whitewater Rafting Is The Coolest Thing You’ll Do All Summer!

February 5, 2014/in Adventure Handbook, River News, Uncategorized /by barker ewing

Summer vacation planning? If you’re looking for an adventurous family vacation or a cool family reunion idea, Jackson, Wyoming is a great place to put at the top of your list! The perfect summer activity in Jackson Hole is whitewater rafting on the Snake River… a must! All of us at Barker-Ewing Whitewater invite you to celebrate 51 years on the Snake River with us this summer. We’d love to take you whitewater rafting in the Snake River Canyon or guide you on a relaxing scenic float with views of the Tetons. The great thing about a long winter in Jackson Hole is the amount of snow that accumulates and melts into big, fun whitewater rapids on the Snake River. While we enjoy seeing the snow fall for our favorite winter activities like downhill skiing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, skate skiing and snowboarding, we can’t help but daydream about the river season to come. Whitewater rafting on the Snake River is the coolest thing you’ll do all summer!

Barker-Ewing Whitewater WINS Silver Medal for Best Outfitter in Best of Jackson Hole 2013!

March 11, 2013/in River News, Staff Stories /by barker ewing

This is a huge honor, and we are so grateful for the recognition! From horseback to fishing to biking outfitters, we were voted by locals and beyond for 2013’s Best Outfitter Silver Medal. Thank you to everyone who participated! We are Celebrating 50 Years this summer, so this just adds icing to the cake. We appreciate your loyalty and your confidence in us as a river outfitter and hope you’ll jump on board a raft and celebrate with us this summer! Ready. Set. Go… Rafting! 1963 – 2013

Maria Wyllie’s “Staycation”

August 23, 2012/in River News, Staff Stories /by barker ewing

Following graduation from the University of Virginia in May of 2012, I immediately packed up the car and headed west. What was initially intended as a four month summer break before entering the so called “real world” has now become a 14-month break– a little something I like to call “staycation.”

It’s safe to say my parents have been a little concerned about my line of work out West– cleaning toilets, folding t-shirts and handing out wetsuits does not require a college degree (so they like to remind me). I keep explaining to them that I am fully aware of this and that I am simply working to support my staycation before I commit myself to a full time career.

This summer I’ve gone on staycation with both locals and tourists, allowing me to experience a wide variety of summer activities. I kicked the summer season off with a moonlight rafting trip down the Snake River (ask our guides why it’s called that). I unsuccessfully went fly-fishing in Kelly, successfully jumped off the cliffs in Kelly, went for a not so refreshing dip in the Granite Hot Springs, tubed down Flat Creek, did some disco dancing at the Coach and some bluegrass dancing at the Wort, hiked to Goodwin Lake for a quick dip, got down at Targhee Fest, sailed on Jackson Lake, drove over the Pass for a huckleberry milkshake, kayaked on Lake Yellowstone, played disc golf in the Village, poached a hot tub or two, went up the Gondi for some margaritas and fried mushrooms, and enjoyed some tasty wild rice pancakes with my mom followed by a ride through the Big Kahuna on Barker-Ewing’s scenic/whitewater Breakfast Combination trip (my personal favorite). While my list might seem long, these excursions are just a sampling of the many activities Jackson has to offer.

Being endlessly enthused about the place you live and being able to go on so many adventures without having to travel far is a wonderful thing. This past winter, for instance, I went paragliding off the Tram during my lunch break. I don’t think most people can admit to having done something as cool as that in the middle of their work day. Every season continues to offer new challenges for even the most experienced athlete. However, regardless of expertise, the impressive Teton Range physically and mentally challenges hikers, climbers, and skiers ranging anywhere from novice to expert. So, even if this is your first time in Jackson, I hope you will not be fearful of exploring these beautiful, humbling mountains.

I won’t be here forever, but I’m not ready for my staycation to end yet– there are too many mountain trails and ski slopes that I have yet to conquer. I hope you enjoy your time here in Jackson amongst the river rats and ski bums, and I invite you to keep coming back, as there will always be new adventures waiting for you. – Maria Wyllie

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