Bachman, who built his first yurt in the ISU Craft Shop while a senior at the University, had tested yurts in the Big Holes and Sawtooths and found that the 16 foot diameter dome shape structure made a perfect portable shelter for winter use in the mountains. With its roomy, efficient interior, a plastic skylight allowing natural light to illuminate the interior, and a hardwood lattice side wall, the backcountry yurt is an aesthetically and environmentally appealing structure. In 1985, a large 24 foot diameter yurt purchased by the City of Pocatello was placed at the Moonlight location and a new site was established at Syringa Creek. That brought the total number of yurts to five. Bill Francis, an outdoor writer for the Idaho State Journal, was an enthusiastic supporter of the system and spent many of his fall weekends cutting wood and getting the huts ready for the winter.
Volunteers are still the key to the success of the program.
If you would like to help, give us a call in early October when plans are being made for work weekends. Before You Start Carefully read this material and evaluate yourself and your party. The rental center can provide copies of the reservation policy and current hut fees. Full payment of fees are required to reserve a hut. A short video tape has been prepared to help assure proper use of the huts.