meadows, alpine lakes, celestial peaks and 230 miles of trails beckoning enthusiasts. With a late start but ample motivation, we fast hiked a 10-mile trail up to the snowmelt, where we refueled, snapped a few photos and headed back to the car. As we were driving away, we saw a line of cars pulled off to the side watching a momma bear with two cubs in the meadow. A bear sighting (out of harm’s way) is enough to make a visit memorable, but once we crossed the signature red bridge into Snake River Sporting Club, we spied a bald eagle and a nest full of eaglets presiding over the property. Reveling in this uncommon occurrence, we embraced its significance of repute and our locale as an epic stay in the making.
OUTDOOR PURSUITS Concentrating hard to keep my arm bent and my gaze straight, I aimed in succession at a skunk then a Tyrannosaurus 24 | POINTS NORTH | September 2017
Rex. Of course I wasn’t hunting for lunch, but the rubberized prey strategically placed throughout the 3-D archery course certainly served as a fun adventure. Aside from a new skill, we learned not to underestimate the power of imagination. If so, Snake River Sporting Club might not exist today. This 800-acre property, situated just 25 minutes south of town at the confluence of the Snake and Hoback rivers, was mired in distress until 2013, when Christopher Swann, who heads a group of Atlanta investors known as Cygnus, infused copious amounts of capital to completely revamp it. Envisioning not only the quintessential life in Jackson Hole, Swann also saw an opportunity to share that same experience with second-home property owners and occasional visitors alike. In creating the epitome of a fourseason vacation home, every possible stop was pulled, totaling close to $11.5 million in
addition to $2 million for the golf course. The No. 1 rated golf course in the state of Wyoming is the course at Snake River Sporting Club, which was designed by Tom Weiskopf. Admittedly not a golfer yet, the view from the tee box nearly converted me on the spot. For others whose game is not up to par, Blue Ribbon fly-fishing along the famed Snake River, traversing trails by foot, mountain bike or horse and a round of racquet sports will not result in remorse. Had my children been in tow, they would have spent hours playing Frisbee golf or immersed in the onsite youth programs. With archery bows stowed, we decided to exhaust many of those activities available at Snake River Sporting Club’s Outdoor Pursuits Barn. For us, that included learning how to load, hold and shoot a shotgun on the skeet shooting range as well as a low-key horseback ride. Hourly and full-day guided trail rides are offered and the Club’s 440-acre equestrian facility