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Rapid Creek Yurt
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| Main Route to Yurt: North Fork of Rapid Creek |
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| Difficulty: Beginner. Even though this tour is the
easiest of the yurt tours, it can be difficult for some individuals.
Be prepared and treat all tours with respect. Avalanche potential
is very low. |
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| Elevation and Distance: 350 feet rise over 2 miles. |
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| Starting Point: Park at the large plowed parking at
the intersection of McKee and Rapid Creek Road. To reach it,
drive north from Inkom for 11 miles on the Rapid Creek Road.
Please park in the lot and not on the road. |
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| Maps Needed: USGS Topographic, 7.5 Minute series "Moonlight
Mountain" and "South Putnam" Quads. (This map
is for reference only. Skiers should use original U.S.G.S. quad
maps while on Yurt tours.) |
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GPS Location:
| Trailhead: |
12 T 0398694 4749842 |
| Gate: |
12 T 0397226 4750074 |
| Turn onto road: |
12 T 0397016 4750104 |
| Yurt: |
12 T 0396765 4749961 |
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| Route Description: (Refer to map.) |
| Start from the parking lot and head north following the main
creek drainage of the North Fork of Rapid Creek. The creek is
not always obvious because of the terrain so you may want to
ski on the snowbound road until you come to the point where
a fence bisects the road. Head west (off to your left) towards
the North Fork main creek drainage. Staying on the right side
of the creek follow it up until the creek crosses another fence.
Cross the fence and continue up the North Fork. You will ski
into an opening with a few huge tree stumps where the old cross-country
ski trail connects from the North Fork of Rapid Creek to the
South Fork of Rapid Creek. Ski up this trail until you reach
the top of the first hill. The trail turns down the hill but
the yurt is located no more than a stones throw away uphill
from the highest point on this trail. |
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| Special Note: |
| This yurt is located on private land. Please respect the land.
Because the snow around the yurt is melted for drinking water,
dogs are discouraged. |
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| Other Routes: |
| This yurt can be approached from the end of Pocatello Creek
Road or from the wheat fields along Buckskin Road. Regardless
of the starting point, the aim is to ski to the top of Moonlight
Mountain and drop down toward the Rapid Creek area and using
a topographic map and compass, follow a route into the yurt.
Skiers trying these routes into the yurt should be experienced
backcountry skiers with good route finding skills. For more
information on these trails contact the ISU Outdoor Program
282-3912. |
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| Warning: |
| Winter travel and the use of yurts are dangerous. Do not
undertake yurt trips without careful preparation and a serious
discussion of the dangers with ALL members of your group. |
