Daybreak’s rose-colored light glows over the snowy mountain peaks surrounding Stargaze Yurt in the Boise Mountains.
It’s minus 6 outside, and the January air is so cold and clear it crystalizes and sparkles in the sunlight.
Each dawn in one of the Idaho City backcountry yurts brings amazing winter experiences, like the changing colors of a rose, pink and purple sunrise in snow country, the ultimate silence of the dead of winter and fresh animal tracks in silky snow.
A favorite sight each morning on the way to the outhouse is the trail left by a nocturnal snowshoe hare.
The yurts provide an easy way for snowshoers and Nordic skiers to “camp” in the backcountry in the winter and take in these experiences in relative comfort.
You don’t have to be a hardcore winter trekker like those pictured in a Patagonia catalog to see winter in a remote setting.
Despite the temperature outside, a glowing fire in a wood stove keeps the yurt around 70 degrees.
The yurts also are equipped with bunks, cookware, a propane stove, firewood and wood stove for easy and convenient overnight stays.
Visitors have to bring only personal items, sleeping bags and food.
It doesn’t take much effort to crawl out of a sleeping bag in the morning when the wood fire is roaring to get sausage, eggs and hash browns sizzling in a frying pan over the propane stove.
After breakfast, it’s time to think about chores. Yes, there are chores at the yurts, and they are a unique experience for urbanites.
You’ve got to haul snow and melt it over the wood stove for water for cooking, washing dishes and drinking. Remember to boil it for drinking.
You also have to bring in a load of firewood from the storage shed so you’ll have a warm, cozy fire for your whole stay.
You need to shovel the deck and pathways to the outhouse and woodshed, but you get into a rhythm as the days go on.
Soon, it’s time to head out on trails right out the front door. The yurts make great jumping-off points for hitting trails way off the highway.
They lead to woodsy hollows, open ridges and view points that most folks wouldn’t see in the winter. The snowy terrain seems endless — and what a way to spend the day.
Most skiers and snowshoers have their favorite yurts and terrain, but with six yurts to choose from in the area near Idaho 21 northeast of Idaho City, there’s a chance to try out different ones each winter.
Each yurt has different characteristics that attract certain yurters.
The yurts are basically the same — circular, Mongolian-style domed tents about 20 feet in diameter. They have plywood floors, canvas-and-lattice sidewalls and a skylight.
They have bunks, chairs, a table, cooking area and pantry, and plenty of hooks to hang clothing and gear.
But yurt locations are different and near different terrain. They are located on unique knolls and ridges, and offer different experiences with views, trails and terrain.
They are spread across 10 square miles in an area between Idaho City and Lowman near Beaver Creek and Mores Creek summits.
Plan several winters in advance and give each yurt a try. Here’s a quick look at all of them:
BEAVER CREEK SUMMIT
Stargaze Yurt
Distance: 1.2 miles.
Trail: Not groomed. Breaking trail can be difficult.
Elevation gain: 680 feet; it’s a steady climb all the way in from the parking lot and not for the faint-hearted.
Dogs: Allowed.
Why people like it: The yurt sits on an open point with incredible views of the stars and night sky.
The wide-open views extend from Scott Mountain to Jackson Peak, Wolf Mountain, Steele Mountain, Pilot Peak and the Sawtooth Range.
At an elevation of 6,569 feet, many north- and west- facing slopes are great for Telemark skiing and snowboarding.
Snowshoers have miles of off-trail exploring. The trek to Stargaze Point above the yurt is worth the views.
BANNER RIDGE AREA
Banner Ridge Yurt
Distance: 2.5 miles.
Trail: Groomed.
Elevation gain: 750 feet. It’s a steady climb to a ridge where the terrain mellows out a little across the ridge.
Dogs: Not allowed in winter.
Why people like it: The yurt offers beautiful views of the South Fork of the Payette River drainage.
Skiers who like groomed trails have an 8-mile ski loop to enjoy. Telemark skiers and snowboarders can explore the open bowls and slopes off the ridge near the yurt.
There’s plenty of woodsy treks for snowshoers who enjoy the backcountry.
Elkhorn Yurt
Distance: 3.5 miles.
Trails: Groomed to about 200 yards of the yurt.
Elevation gain: The climb is the same as for Banner Ridge Yurt because you pass the turnoff to that yurt. Once past that point, you continue on the groomed trail through rolling terrain. It’s the longest trek of all the yurts.
Dogs: Not allowed in winter.
Why people like it: It’s got a huge party deck. Well, that’s part of it.
The Elkhorn Yurt is located off the Elkhorn Loop Trail for Nordic skiers who want to go the distance.
There is plenty of terrain for snowshoers who want to get off trail, too.
This yurt is the most remote of all the Idaho City yurts, and if you want to be really secluded, this is the place.
The 270-degree view to the east, south and west offers views of Jackson Peak, Wolf Mountain, Steele Mountain, the Trinity Mountains, Sunset Peak and Pilot Peak.
The open, rolling terrain below the yurt provides off-trail skiers a chance to practice without going far from the wood stove.
GOLD FORK TRAILS
Whispering Pines Yurt
Distance: 2.4 miles.
Trail: Groomed.
Elevation gain: 300 feet. It’s a long, but gradual climb to the yurt.
Dogs: Allowed.
Why people like it: There’s plenty of Nordic skiing on an 8-mile groomed loop. Snowshoers like the woodsy backcountry trekking and trails that criss-cross through the forest.
The yurt is secluded and tucked under tall ponderosa pines.
Skyline Yurt
Distance: 2.5 miles.
Trail: Groomed.
Elevation gain: 650 feet of steady climbing.
Dogs: Allowed.
Why people like it: It’s located on a knoll surrounded by pine trees right off the groomed Skyline Trail, a popular loop used by Nordic skiers and snowshoers.
The yurt also provides easy access to more than 20 miles of groomed trails and more marked Nordic trails.
It offers great views that some say are the best in the Boise National Forest. You can see Pilot Peak from the outhouse.
WHOOP UM UP TRAILS
Rocky Ridge Yurt
Distance: 1.75 miles.
Trail: Not groomed. Breaking trail can be difficult.
Elevation gain: 150 feet; most of the elevation gain is right out of the parking lot. Most of the trail is level with a few gradual ups and downs. It’s great for beginner snowshoers.
Dogs: Allowed.
Why people like it: It’s easy terrain for off-trail snowshoe trekking. You’ll find lots of rock formations in the Crooked River drainage. There aren’t too many hills for Telemarking, but you can ski the ungroomed trail from the yurt back toward the parking lot.
The yurt is in a woodsy area, but it sits on an open knoll with mountain views.
The parking lot is shared by skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers.
Pete Zimowsky: 377-6445, Twitter: @Zimosoutdoors
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