When asked “what is the best time of year to go to Jackson Hole?,” most would answer either “Winter,” or “Summer.” While it’s hard to argue how spectacular these seasons are, for those looking for once-in-a-lifetime wildlife viewing, Fall and Spring are the time to be in Jackson Hole.

The Clear Creek Group has teamed up with Wildlife Expeditions of Teton Science Schools to provide guests with the best of both worlds; a three day expedition into Yellowstone National Park in search of breathtaking wolf and bear viewing, bookended by a relaxing stay in luxury accommodations. This popular expedition focuses on Greater Yellowstone’s predators. The Lamar and Hayden Valleys, where bears hunt, are the same areas where the wolves den, centralizing predator activity. Participants travel to the best sites for viewing bears and wolves. In addition, the trip includes stops at Old Faithful, the colorful Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – crowned by a waterfall nearly twice the height of Niagara Falls, and the terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs.

Sound intriguing? See the detailed itinerary below, and then give us a call at (307) 732-3400 to reserve your Spring or Fall Wolf and Bear Expedition!

Day One: Arrive in Jackson Hole. Settle in to your Shooting Star Cabin, nestled at the base of Teton Village. Enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Day Two: Rise and shine. Your guide will greet you at your residence at 6:00am to begin your Expedition. You will need packed personal items for your two nights outing. You will journey north through dramatic Grand Teton National Park. Grand Teton National Park is home to one of the largest elk herds in North America. You will search for moose and bears along the prime riparian habitats of Jackson Hole. Following a mid-morning brunch you will head into Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first National Park. The midday hours will be sent exploring the geothermal basin near Old Faithful. After seeing the famous geyser erupt, you will continue north to Mammoth Hot Springs. Your safari continues in the scenic Lamar Valley in search of bears and wolves, enjoying a light field dinner en route. Spend the twilight hours continuing your search: a successful expedition depends almost entirely upon searching key areas during evening hours. After dark, your guide will drive you to your accommodations.
Overnight Accommodations: Alpine Motel, Cooke City, Montana
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

Day Three: Return to the Lamar Valley, called America’s Serengeti, in hopes of witnessing the morning hunt. A light field breakfast will be provided. Mid-day will provide an opportunity to explore the predators’ habitat on foot. You continue to search for bison, pronghorn and coyotes to name a few species your group might encounter. The high elevation snow and lush valley’s create a phenomenon of high bear densities, you have the chance of encountering both Grizzly and Black bears. After dark, you will return to your lodging for the evening.
Overnight Accommodations: Alpine Motel, Cooke City, Montana
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

Day Four: After swinging through Lamar Valley for one last look, you will leave this area mid-morning to enjoy a hearty lunch. Afterwards, you will tour Hayden Valley, favored habitat for grizzly bears. Your return trip may include stops at the colorful Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, crowned by a waterfall more than twice the height of Niagara Falls. You will return to your Shooting Star Cabin, arriving in the early evening. Enjoy the evening at your leisure.
Breakfast and Lunch included.

Day Five: Depart Jackson Hole. . . or stay a little longer. Special rates available for Shooting Star Cabins

Spring beauties (and beauties, they sure are). “Spring beauties are a great spring food source for many herbivores, and bears love them. They have an edible, fleshy root.” -Cathy Shill, Hole Hiking Experience

Photo © Henry Holdsworth / Wild By Nature.

Photo © Henry Holdsworth / Wild By Nature.

Photo © Henry H. Holdsworth

Hi, Folks! Here’s a nature update with words written by the Goddess of the Trails, herself, Cathy Shill. I will add a couple of sitings to Cathy’s and that is of our bear family, 610! Enjoy the update and let’s go for a walk or sightseeing tour!
Love,
Betsy

Nature News-

April. We reached annual snowfall of 400 inches on April 22 and water content is 98% of the thirty year average. The month has been predominately unsettled with rainy, cool days. The last weekend did bring sun and the chance to finally wear shorts. It’s truly a month of change but you have to look closely.

The trees have yet to leaf and the valley is still predominately brown. The most apparent changes are within the birdlife and animal migration. Robins sing in the mornings. Mountain Bluebirds perch on fence posts. Swans are on their nest. Hawks soar together nurturing their bond. Southern parts of the valley begin to turn green. Elk are moving north. Bison have left the Elk Refuge and can be found near the town of Kelly. The month ends with male catkins maturing on the Aspen trees meaning leaves will soon develop.

For many residents, a big sign of spring is the return of ospreys. Osprey, the fish hawk, winters south and mainly in Mexico. In early April, they return to establish nesting sites and claim territories. They nest throughout the valley near waterways.

One of the more famous nests is on Highway 22 on Puzzleface Ranch. During the first week of the month, I saw on osprey on the nest and breathed a welcome sigh of “spring.” The next day a goose peered out over the edge of the nest. A pair of geese pushed the osprey off! It’s resulted in quite the valley commotion as we all watch this famous nest. Looks like young geese this year.

The discussion ensued as to how the goslings get to the ground. It is one big step. I really don’t know but realize they swim before they can fly. If anyone has any information, please let me know.

Always nice to end with great news- a new nest site was built so now the ospreys and geese are both nesting in the area. Check them out if you drive on Highway 22. The nest is on the west side of the road near the pond. You can’t miss it.

Watching the bears is a fun highlight of spring. Two sow grizzlies, 399 and 610, frequent the Oxbow Bend area in Grand Teton Park. They are mother/daughter so 610 learned from her mom that the area was safe for rearing cubs. I was fortunate to watch a cub dig late one afternoon. The food source was probably roots or pocket gophers but it was hard to tell. If you come to visit, keep an eye out as you drive near the Oxbow, Jackson Lake Lodge and Colter Bay. April is a bit easier to find them since the deep snowpack keeps them more confined.

The latest news is 610 is pushing her cubs away. They are two and sub-adults. All three are male so will need to find new unoccupied territories. A boar, male grizzly, is nearby and June is mating time. 399 is already without cubs so in a year, we might see new young bears.

The month ends with another cold front with a special weather statement predicting wind, cold and snowy conditions. Here’s to spring in the Rockies!

What’s in the woods-

4/1-4/6-Hilton Head- egrets, herons, alligators, terns, dowitcher, sand piper

4/6-osprey on nest by puzzleface ranch, robins back in town

4/7-geese on nest by puzzleface ranch, turkey vultures soaring

4/8-snowy

4/11-south park- mountain bluebird and kestrel

4/15-cold and snowy

4/16-Grand Teton Park- elk near airport on northern migration, bison, grizzly near oxbow bend feeding on tubers, great white pelicans, Trompeter swans, muskrat

4/15-4/21- Lake Perkins near Sun Valley- cold, snowy, Canadian geese, sandhill cranes

4/21-Teton Village Road- cow elk grazing on fresh grass, mountain bluebirds

4/21-cow, calf moose at base of Teton Pass/

4/26-Grand Teton Park- moose, bison, elk, pelicans, swans, mountain bluebird

4/27-bald eagle soaring over snake river, bluebird day

4/28-Cache Creek- blooming buttercups

Tour Suggestion

Spring can be a challenge to find dry places to recreate. Cache Creek is a great option and right out of town. Drive east down Broadway, turn right on Redmond St. then left on Cache St. Continue to parking lot at end of road. The north side of the drainage will be drier and there are trails on both sides. The road is also an option but has been a little icy. Have fun!

Catherine E. Shill
The Hole Hiking Experience, Inc.
307.690.4453

Like us on Facebook: The Hole Hiking Experience
www.holehike.com

Our Wild Guests

I love company. I love hosting, entertaining, making guests feel welcome and comfortable. I love showing off the wildlife, the outdoor adventures, and the jaw-dropping splendors of Jackson Hole. Starting The Clear Creek Group all those years ago was simply a way for me to expand my guest list!

And so, I was absolutely enchanted when some unexpected visitors showed up in our back yard this week: Margaret and Jackson, a momma and baby moose.

They stayed for days. It was heaven. From our living room windows, I watched them amble ‘round our yard, sampling river willows and aspens; I wished them goodnight when they settled down to sleep in the snow. Now and then, they’d cross the creek to visit Sophie, a neighbor’s jolly Bernese Mountain Dog. Margaret – who knew very well I was gazing raptly at them through the windows – kept looking up at me as if to sigh, “Motherhood…the world’s best and toughest job.” Jackson, of course, was oblivious.

Again and again, I snapped pictures with my cell phone, wishing I was a photographer on the level of Gordon Gregory or Tom Murphy, who capture Clear Creek Group homes so beautifully. What would they have done with the image of sweet little Jackson, happily grazing on his favorite bush, illuminated by white lights from a tree above? With the snow, the blazing stars, the winter glow… Oh, if only I were a good photographer, I could have taken the best holiday card picture ever! I will just have to cement the image into my memory.

Can you imagine what it’s like to be a child here? To ride your bike in perfect safety and freedom down the bike path; to set up shop on a corner (alone!) and sell lemonade to passers-by; to see an eagle soar overhead, or have two moose vacation in your backyard? Jackson Hole certainly brings out the kid in me. I’ve hardly gotten anything done this week as I dart outside every half hour, dodging between trees, hiding behind cars, or leaning off the front porch trying to find out where Margaret and Jackson are now.

How many times can I say it? How many times will I say it? Moving to Jackson Hole was the best decision I have made in my entire life… ever!

I hope January has been good to you, and this message finds you uncovering the magic in your own life; for – wherever you are – every day brings something to marvel at.

Love,
Betsy

You see those blue eyes?!?! Those belong to Jarret Schwartz, renowned and dearly beloved chef/owner of the Kitchen – whom I wrote about once before on this blog (and clearly still have a thing for).

If you’ve been to Jarret’s restaurant, you know that the Kitchen’s kitchen is open to the dining room, and Jarret’s bright, welcoming – and slightly mischievous – eyes are always on the room, assessing the joyous choreography of diners, waitstaff, spectacular food and great wine. Let me tell you, those eyes miss nothing. Whenever an acquaintance comes through the door, delicious surprises arrive at their table shortly afterwards.

But Jarret – gifted, ambitious, energetic dreamboat that he is – is moving on to something new: in-home private dining. Now, having Jarret Schwartz come to your kitchen and create a feast for you is something akin to having Russell Crowe lead a round of charades in your living room. Jarret draws on culinary traditions from around the globe, and uses totally fresh and local ingredients so that flavors SHINE in divine combination; positively dancing on the palate.

Jarret is excited at the prospect of this significant step onward, and assures me he is “leaving the Kitchen in good hands.” Being a private chef, he says, will let him spread his culinary wings and take off creatively, no longer limited to the constraints of a restaurant. “I cook with super fresh and the best ingredients on a daily basis…” he says, and wants to experiment with new creations in what he calls his “contemporary American fare.” He wants to craft fresh sushi, and pair dishes with sake and cocktails, not just the usual wine.

Jarret takes his cocktails seriously. “It’s a lot like cooking: pairing ingredients and creating a balanced flavor.” He shared one heady masterpiece with me – Blood Orange Bourbon. His instructions are: “Mix two pints of Maker’s Mark, one pint of blood orange simple syrup, one dash of lemon bitters, muddled with orange and mint. On the rocks, baby!”

His great talent and ever-fizzing ideas make Jarret a hot commodity; he’s already bursting with plans. “I will be going to Ibiza, Spain, in March to help a restaurant group open a sushi/crudo bar in a hotel. This I am very excited about: an island in Spain with lots of fresh fish to use, and our own organic garden at the hotel (DestinoIbiza). I’ll be putting together menus and training chefs. Later in the year, I’ll be traveling to Hawaii and California with clients…”

Now imagine that kind of powerhouse creating a banquet for your family in one of The Clear Creek Group’s magnificent cabins or estates. It really begs the question: Why Go Out?

Why indeed? Call us at The Clear Creek Group, and we’ll arrange for the indomitable Jarret Schwartz to come show you Contemporary American Fare like your kitchen has never seen it before.

And now, get ready to be hungry!

A Jarret Schwartz five-course summer dinner menu:

Soft scrambled egg with pine nuts, feta and parsley

Beet salad with beet puree, pistachios and grilled greens

Grilled broccoli, fried shrimp and black creamy rice

Bison tenderloins with market carrots, jerusalem artichoke, herb oil and fennel puree

Nutella tart with organic vanilla ice cream, and farmer’s market strawberries

If you would like to contact Jarret on your own, please feel free! You can reach him by phone at 307.220.2632 or by e-mail, Schwartzjarrett@gmail.com and, of course his web address is http://www.chefjarrettschwartz.com

Cheers!
Love,
Betsy

Welcome Back!

Hi! Could this be the best possible time of the year? Have I said that before as each new season unfolds with change and surprise? OK, so, how about- is this the best day ever?!
We made a snowman welcome for the return of one of our homeowners in the village. See, we love our homeowners as much as we do our guests!
Happy December everyone!
Love,
Betsy

Hello, dear friends.

Snow is heading our way! Whoopee!!!

I am always delighted with the way a good thick snowfall instantaneously creates a cozy, magical, holiday feeling, inside and out. An invitation to get the fireplaces crackling, heat wassail on the stove, and gather together. (Give me any excuse to get together, and I’ll jump on it!)

Which leads me to this: The Clear Creek Group has a lovely new house in our portfolio, made particularly inviting by the design skills of Jane Schwab. Jane – a renowned interior designer who works with Circa Interiors (www.circaonline.net) – is like snow on Christmas: she creates, like magic, an atmosphere of home.

Somehow – with some miraculous combination of fabric and texture, empty space and filled space, light and shadow, furniture and art – she builds a palpable sense of welcome, peace, and gladness. You feel it as soon as you walk in to one of her rooms. It’s almost like relief: an “Ah, I can breathe here. I can BE here,” kind of feeling. Jane’s spaces are simple, beautiful and right. The Clear Creek Group has a couple of properties in our portfolio decorated by the renowned Jane Schwab, and Shooting Star Cabin 6670 is one of them.

Take a look.

Shooting Star Cabin 6670 is a large and handsome house, a classic Shooting Star abode set beside a clear shallow creek. The mountains and ski slopes form a magnificent backdrop for Cabin 6670, and its tall windows look out in all directions to the stream, the woods, the rolling green golf course, and the great soaring mountainscape beyond. A heavy, iron-studded front door opens to the foyer.

Here a tranquil and inviting color scheme of ivory and smoky blue is introduced by way of a painted dresser and a cushioned chair. It is a chromatic theme echoed throughout the house, serene and soft against Cabin 6670’s stonework, and thick log-and-mortar walls. A curtained doorway in the foyer frames the front hall, an invitation into the grand and intimate spaces of Cabin 6670; all singularly peaceful, lovely, full of light and air; all feeling of home.

The lofty, open living area – a Great Room anchored by a cut-stone fireplace at one end and the kitchen at the other – is the heart of the house. Matching armchairs and sofas surround a big upholstered coffee table in front of the fire, all in serene blues and creams. In the daytime, huge windows flood the room with sunlight and astonishing views, and doors open to terraces on either side.

The dining table stands just behind the couch, under the high vaulted ceiling shared with the living room; steps away the ceiling, criss-crossed with rough-hewn beams, drops to foster a sense of warmth and containment in the kitchen.

This is a kitchen in which a home cook or professional chef would be equally happy. Luxury appliances, a center island with a prep sink and a wine cooler, a breakfast bar and ample counter space make cooking a treat. Many a joyful meal is spent within the interlocked spaces of the Great Room: a glad progression from kitchen to dining table to fireside, leavened with stories of the day gone by and plans for the day ahead. Sconces and big table lamps throughout the room provide light in the evening, and firelight dances across the happy faces of those assembled.

Shooting Star Cabin 6670 is a true family haven, with plenty of space in which to find quiet and privacy and plenty of convivial gathering spots as well. A hallway off of the kitchen leads to a stylish hang out room. Here, star charts map the Wyoming sky and a long, plush sectional couch beckons gamers, readers and movie-watchers alike. Cabin X’s living and sleeping wings embrace a big stone courtyard that is a great draw all year ‘round. Outside, the fresh mountain air is more invigorating than a cup of coffee.  An outdoor dining table and a gas grill speak of cookouts in the long golden evenings of July and August; the large hot tub calls for joyful shindigs under the brilliant winter night sky, champagne chilling nearby in the snow. Steps lead from the terrace down to the smooth lawn and the creek.

Cabin 6670 has a very large and inviting master suite set in an annex of its own. The master bedroom wing angles toward the creek – and with the windows flung wide, the sound of the tumbling water fills the room.

Soft, rich fabrics and creamy drapes, white linens and a wool-carpeted floor contrast pleasingly with the solid stonework and bright dancing flames of the gas hearth. The master bath is spacious and luxurious, paneled in painted wood, with double sinks, a long soaking tub set under a mullioned window and a separate, walk-in shower.

Built-in, robin’s egg bookcases and drawers on the main landing frame a desk and window with a glorious view indeed. The landing serves as office for Cabin 6670, and manages to be both private and open at once, a perfect retreat for reading and working.

A door off the landing leads to a sunlit, carpeted guest room with a big king size bed and a private bath. In this guest bathroom, there are double sinks, a big, glass-walled shower and a separate water closet. Wallpaper and twigged mirrors lend texture and interest; as with everything at Cabin 6670, the fixtures are of sterling quality.

A corridor with windows on either side forms a “sky bridge” to the bunkroom, a charming space with berths for four. Each bunk has its own reading light and crisp sprigged coverlet; and there is space to spread out and play. The bunkroom has its own bath as well, with double sinks, a shower/tub combo and a separate water closet.

A wonderful suite – clear and bright, and spacious enough for a family – stands over the garage. A queen bed under the eaves is flanked by two sweet twin beds. A big closet and ample dresser provide plenty of clothes storage, and there is a private bathroom with a shower. Windows frame panoramic views of Teton Village and the ski mountain. Clear colors, soft carpeting and lots of light make this guest suite a luxurious retreat.

The extensive amenities and opportunities of Shooting Star Ranch are just outside Cabin 6670’s front door. The sight of the tram arriving at the top of Rendezvous Mountain, dazzlingly close, is a summons to don skis or hiking boots and set off skyward. Jackson Hole trails are legendary; and in winter Shooting Star Ranch maintains more than nine kilometers of cross-country trails as well. The ski valet and ski shuttle make everything easy and streamlined.

And the ultimate treat? To come home after all the outdoor adventuring to the serene, beautiful, welcoming Cabin 6670. I think I’d like to move right in.

Much love,

Betsy

 Hi there!  Well, it has been a long time since my last post, and I am happy to be back on line, writing again.  The summer flew by – filled with family, loads of wonderful guests, trails, lakes and stars – and I enjoyed every minute of it.  What it was not filled with? Cyber world. I have been on a cyber sabbatical since June, and that has been truly magnificent.

Yesterday was another glorious day in the Tetons.  Things have started to slow down a little around here; Clear Creek Guests are heading home. So yesterday, we (the Stevenson family) drove up to Yellowstone to see the geysers.  Fall is in full swing, and we were rewarded with stunning vistas and lots of wildlife.  And the geysers were spectacular. Rainbow-colored pools, giant, electrifying plumes of water, clouds of steam. If that’s not magic, what is?

It left me thinking. As long as I’ve lived here, I never really “got” the geysers. Why are they?What makes them work?  So this morning I consulted my personal archives of Yellowstone Today, the official newspaper of Yellowstone National Park.  Turns out it’s a great source!

So, direct from Yellowstone Today, here are some interesting tidbits:

Old Faithful Myths:

No one can predict Old Faithful anymore.

It is so predictable, you can set your watch by its eruption.

It is the only predictable geyser.

It is the most predictable geyser.

It erupts every hour on the hour.

Its eruption is not as high as it used to be.

Its eruption lasts less time than it used to.

and

(this has got to be the best one….)

The Park rangers can control Old Faithful’s eruption.

(That last is up there with the frequently asked question, “At what elevation do the elk turn to moose?” My oh my!!!!)

This article is about how geysers work.  Something new everyday!  Enjoy.

“Geysers are hot springs with narrow spaces in their plumbing, usually near the surface. These constrictions prevent water from circulating freely to the surface where heat would escape. The deepest circulating water can exceed the surface boiling point (199 degrees).

The surrounding pressure also increases with depth, much as it does with depth in the ocean. Increased pressure exerted by the enormous weight of the overlying rock and water prevents the water from vaporizing.

As the water rises, steam forms. Bubbling upward, steam expands as it nears the top of the water column until the bubbles are too large and numerous to pass freely through the constrictions.  At a critical point, the confined bubbles actually lift the water above, causing the geyser to splash or overflow. This decreases pressure on the system, and violent boiling results.  Tremendous amounts of steam force water out of the vent, and the eruption begins.”

 ”Water is expelled faster than it can enter the geyser’s plumbing system, and the heat and pressure gradually decrease.  The eruption stops when the water reservoir is exhausted or when the gas bubbles diminish enough to be able to rise without ejecting the water.”

There you have it! Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are both year-round adventure wonderlands. Book a winter trip to Jackson Hole now, and be sure to set aside plenty of time to explore Park trails.

Many thanks to Yellowstone Today for keeping me informed.  Be sure to check out the websites and webcams of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, and COME SEE US SOON! Keep me so busy that I have to go on cyber sabbaticall again!

Much love,

Betsy

www.nps.gov/yell/

www.nps.gov/yell/photosmultimedia/yellowstonelive.htm

www.nps.gov/grte/

www.jacksonholenet.com/webcams/east_gros_ventre_butte.php

Look at that blue sky!

One of two grand living spaces, this seating area is between the kitchen and the dining and nestled next a gas fireplace.

 

Welcome to The Cabin. I love this place; the newest addition to The Clear Creek Group’s portfolio of distinctive vacation rental homes – and what an addition it is. A cabin-in-the-woods, smack in the middle of town; a realm of peace and privacy. Fighting Bear Antiques did an outstanding job with the interior decoration of this vintage property, as you will soon see.

We had a wonderful time shooting The Cabin. We particularly enjoyed creating the outdoor scenes. Take a look… wouldn’t you just love to be there this evening? It makes me dream of winter, right here in the glory days of a stunning summer. With four spectacular seasons in Jackson Hole, who wouldn’t be eagerly anticipating the next one?

We are so grateful to the homeowners who open up their wonderful properties to our guests, and who make it possible for visitors to experience this beautiful land the way it should be experienced – with a house of their own.

Best,

Betsy

The Cabin is a lovely 1940s log home set into a hillside on the slopes of Snow King, the original ski mountain in downtown Jackson. Green lawns, wildflowers and woods apron The Cabin; towering shade trees keep it cool and secret in summer and brimming with sunlight in winter. Summer concerts at Snow King fill the house with music; the Alpine Slide is within walking distance, and the bustling boutiques, restaurants and galleries of Jackson are just down the hill.

The Cabin is fully and beautifully updated, with handcrafted furnishings and rich Great Camp décor – the inspiration of Fighting Bear Antiques, a wonderful local antique furnishing store. An atmosphere of elegance, warmth and welcome pervades the house. Thick log walls are adorned here and there with vintage photos and glowing oil paintings. Old oak floors are spread with antique Navajo rugs in traditional crimsons, grays and black-browns; skylights flood the house with light.

The Cabin is built around a massive central column of fieldstone – a wood-burning hearth with two fireplace openings, each facing a different area of the open ground floor. The hearth serves as both anchor and axis for The Cabin; the life of the house literally revolves around it. The antique, iron-studded front door opens to a wood-paneled vestibule and the first of the fireplace openings. A second faces the living room, where handsome, stick-built armchairs with leather cushions are gathered before a coffee table and a flat screen TV. In the dining room, a long, simple wood table stands in front of a wide window and French doors opening to the back yard.

The Cabin’s kitchen is light-filled and open, and blends with perfect harmony into the high, traditional standards of the house. A moose-antler chandelier hangs from the vaulted wood ceiling; a center island serves as breakfast bar and food prep station. Top-flight appliances, leaded-glass cabinets, Arts-and-Crafts sconces and a view of the lawn and leafy woods make the kitchen a delightful place to cook, and converse. A few steps away is a walk-in pantry with a Dutch door, and adjacent, a regal grouping of 19^th Century German antler chairs looks out through a wide picture window to downtown Jackson.

A half-flight of stairs leads from the living area up to the bedroom wing. There are three bedrooms on this level and a four berth bunkroom at the top of the house; in all, ten people can sleep at The Cabin. The master bedroom has a grand king bed flanked by two nightstands, facing a pair of handsome chairs, and windows trimmed with glossy green paint and flowered curtains. The master bedroom has both a spacious, walk-in closet and a big antique dresser for clothes storage. In the master bath is a wonderful, walk-in shower tiled in stone, with an interior window for extra light; double mirrors hang over a single sink.

Two guest bedrooms and a shared bathroom stand along a short hallway on this level. In the first guest room, spacious and sunlit, a king bed built of peeled logs faces a flat screen TV. The second bedroom is a true camp classic. A nightstand separates two vintage twin beds made in Cody, Wyoming in 1955, their headboards painted with Western scenes, and thick mattresses spread with Hudson Bay blankets. A dresser and a leather-upholstered rocking chair stand at the foot of the beds. Antler sconces – as well as low-profile track lighting tucked into the rafters – provide ample reading light.

The shared guest bathroom is a gem, with brilliant, garnet-hued walls, a soaking tub/shower combination and a wide, carved wood door. A sunny, cheerful mud room is reached through a door in the bathroom. Abundant storage space and an outside egress make the mud room perfect for stashing gear, unlacing boots, spreading out beach towels, and storing skis, snowshoes or inner tubes for the next day’s adventure.

A staircase with rustic banisters climbs to the top of the house, where the bunkroom and “play” room await. These slope-ceilinged spaces are a perfect hangout for kids and teens. The rustic bunk beds have four welcoming berths, piled with pillows. A desk and a hide-covered chair offer a fine spot for writing postcards, drawing, or checking email. In the playroom, a deep couch and comfy armchairs surround a game table; a flat screen TV is mounted on the wall. Windows at both ends of the eaves let the mountain breezes sail right through, but the bunkroom also has an air conditioner, just in case.

The Cabin is tucked in to a hillside just above town, a rare and graceful retreat in Jackson Hole’s vibrant center.  Everything is quickly and easily accessible from here – downtown Jackson, the rodeo, the Teton County Fair. And yet the property is a true sanctuary, screened with trees, blessed with fresh mountain air, with a wide green yard big enough for lawn games, outdoor dining, fireside ghost stories – even campouts, lit by lanterns and a million stars. The steep rise of Snow King Mountain behind The Cabin forms a natural jungle gym and adventure center for kids of all ages. The kitchen windows make a perfect pass-through for serving picnickers outside, and it is a fine thing to toast the day from an outdoor seat, dinner spread out on the picnic table and the jovial sounds of Jackson nightlife filtering up through the trees.