|
A QUICK GUIDE TO THE PORTNEUF RANGE YURT
SYSTEM
Links:
 General
Information
Catamount
Yurt
Inman
Yurt
Jackson
Creek
Yurt
McNabb
Yurt
Skyline
Yurt
Bear
Lake Yurt
General Information
What Is A Yurt
The Portneuf Range Yurt System is made up of five mongolian yurt-style
structures located in the mountains of Southeast Idaho. Five
yurts
are located in the Portneuf range southeast of Pocatello. In
addition,
the Bear Lake Yurt is located up Bloomington Canyon near Bloomington,
Idaho.
Each yurt is outfitted with a wood stove, Coleman white gas cooking
stove
and lantern, pots, axe and bunk beds. Ideal for back country touring,
Southeast
Idaho is known for its exhilerating wide open powder slopes and
uninhibited
cross-country travel. The yurts along the Portneuf range are spaced so
skiers can make yurt to yurt trips--or, if desired, parties can ski
into
one yurt and make day trips with the yurt serving as a base camp.
Designed
for all ability levels, the lower yurts are easily accessible to
beginners
and families, while the higher yurts are oriented to more experienced
backcountry
skiers. The yurt system is made possible through the work of many
volunteers
and the cooperation between the Idaho State University Outdoor
Program,
Bear Lake Backcountry Skiers, Caribou National Forest, Bureau of Land
Management
and private landowners.
Reservations and More Information
The yurt system is operated as a public nonprofit system. To avoid
conflicts, reservations for the use of the yurts are required. A
reservation
requires a 100% down deposit and is non refundable. For
information
on reservations and rental prices please contact the Idaho State
University
Wilderness Rental Center at (208) 282-2945. For more details on the
yurt
system, contact the ISU Outdoor Program at (208) 282-3912.
Park and Ski Permits
Idaho State Park & Ski stickers are required for parking at the
Inman Canyon and Bloomington Canyon trail head. Park and Ski
passes
are available at local outdoor retail stores and the ISU Outdoor
Program
Office.
Finding the Yurts
Route descriptions, maps and a yurt manual are provided when making
reservations for the yurts. Even though route information is
provided,
it is strongly advised that you go on organized tours before
undertaking
your own tour. Common adventure trips to the yurts are offered through
the Outdoor Program office. These trips are open to ISU students
as well as the community at large. If, after an organized tour
you
are uncomfortable with finding your own way to the yurts, you are more
than welcome to continue to go on organized tours. Please
understand
that it is the responsibility of the yurt user to locate the
yurt.
Yurt rental fees will not be refunded if the yurt is not located.
Brief Description of Each Hut
The information below is provided as quick run down on the yurts. This
is only a guide. Please be aware that the difficulty of traveling to
the
yurts can increases dramatically in bad weather, poor snow conditions,
or other factors. All yurt tours are done at your own risk.
Catamount Yurt
Difficulty: Catamount is the next easiest yurts (beginner to
intermediate) to ski or snowshoe to. Although easy, treat the
tour
with respect. Make sure you know the route well.
Distance, Route & Other: The tour into the yurt is two
and
a quarter miles long and is across mostly open, rolling terrain. Total
vertical rise is 816 feet. The yurt holds 6 people. Use caution during
times of bad visibility in the open areas of the route.
Inman Yurt
Difficulty: This is a moderately easy yurt (intermediate) to
reach.
The distance and elevation gainis slightly greater than the two
previously
described yurts. Once again, for some skiers, this tour can be
difficult,
particularly in icy snow conditions. Be prepared and use good judgement
Distance, Route & Other: The route to the yurt follows
a snowbound road for the first 3 miles. The last half mile is up a
narrow
hiking trail through heavy timber. The total distance to the yurt is
3.5
miles with a vertical rise of 1000 feet. In unusually unstable snow
conditions,
there are a couple of isolated snow slopes that can slide onto the
road.
The road is regularly machine groomed and is utilized by skiers and
snowmobilers.
The yurt capacity is 6. You must have a Park and Ski Pass to park
in this parking lot.
Jackson Creek (Inkom Pass)
Yurt
Difficulty: This is an advanced intermediate to advanced yurt
to reach.
Distance, Route & Other: The tour to the yurt involves a
significant elevation gain (2300 feet) over a 3.5 mile distance and
crosses
slopes which can be hazardous because of avalanches. It is highly
recommended
that you do not attempt to reach the yurt in periods of bad visibility.
Skins are needed. Avalanche transceivers and shovels should be carried
by all members of the party. Yurt capacity is six.
McNabb Point Yurt
Difficulty:This is an advanced yurt to reach.
Distance, Route, & Other: The tour to the yurt involves a
2500 foot climb over a 4 mile distance and crosses slopes which can be
potentially hazardous because of avalanches. It is highly recommended
that
you do not attempt to reach the yurt in periods of bad visibility.
Skins
are needed. Avalanche transceivers and shovels should be carried by all
members of the party. Yurt capacity is six. Please park behind
the
No Parking Beyond This Point Sign. The snow plows need room to
turn
around.
-
- Skyline Yurt
- Difficulty: This is one of the easiest (beginner to
intermediate)
yurts to ski or snowshoe to. Even though this tour is an easy
tour,
it can be difficult for some skiers. Always be prepared and treat all
tours
with respect.
- Distance, Route, & Other: The route into the
yurt is one
and a half miles across rolling terrain. Total vertical rise is
350
feet. Skyline is 20' in diameter and will hold 8-10 people.
-
- Bear Lake Yurt
- Difficulty: Intermediate. (Note that difficulty of
touring trails
can increase in poor snow conditions and weather. Even though Bear Lake
Yurt route follows a road, individuals should be thoroughly prepared
and
travel with someone who has been to the yurt and can readily find its
location.)
Please understand that it is the responsibility of the yurt user
to
locate the yurt. Yurt rental fees will not be refunded if the yurt is
not
located.
- Distance, Route, & Other: The route follows the
snowbound road
that parallels Bloomington Canyon. 1100 ft. evelation gain over 5.9
miles.
The yurt is located at the base of Paris Peak and before the junction
of
the North, South and Middle Forks of Bloomington Canyon. For more
information
check out the Bear Lake Yurt
website.
| 
.
