Idaho Non-Motorized Trails Program

🪚Trail maintenance update🪚

The crew finished cutting out *almost* all of the trails between Banner Ridge and Elkhorn Yurts. They removed nearly 300 trees over 5 miles of trail. Check out the screenshotted map below - the highlighted trails have been cut out. 🔥🚴

Remember, trees can fall and conditions can change anytime. So be prepared for all possible conditions!

Here's an interactive map of the area: https://arcg.is/1eXnSS3

Our trail crew has been busy this spring. 🪚 Last week, they cut out 72 trees from the first mile of the Wayout/Cougar Trail loop (starting from the trailhead near Elkhorn Yurt). Check out the before and after photos below!

There are hundreds of trees down across our trail system, so please be patient with us as we work to cut them all out. 💪🥾

Here's a map of the area: https://arcg.is/11KCLr0

💧 Water Update! 💧

Good news—water jugs have now been filled at all Idaho City Yurts!

As a reminder, the water provided is non-potable and should be used for washing, cleaning dishes, and other cleaning tasks only. Please bring your own drinking water.

Thank you for helping us keep the yurts running smoothly. We hope you're enjoying the spring season in the mountains! 🌲🏔️

One perk of a slow winter? Early trail maintenance season. 🪚

The crew logged out Summit Trail, clearing around 80 trees! Since much of Summit follows old road grade, it’s a great early-season option for gravel bikers and stock users looking for a gentle trail with some mountain scenery mixed in.

As always, conditions can change quickly this time of year. New trees can fall at any time, mud conditions vary day to day, and users should be prepared for changing trail conditions.

Exciting news for summer yurt lovers - the roads to all the yurts are officially snow-free! 😎

Although the roads are all drivable, high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. 🚗

There is still no water in the barrels at the yurts due to cold temperatures, so please continue bringing all your own water!

And another friendly reminder about campfires: the wood our staff cuts, bucks, and stages around the yurts is intended for the indoor wood stoves. If you’d like to enjoy the outdoor fire pits, please gather your own firewood rather than using the staged rounds. We really appreciate everyone helping us keep the yurts stocked and ready for all guests! 🔥🪓

Spring access update! 🌸

The melt-out is happening fast, and almost all yurts are currently drivable — including Elkhorn!

Stargaze is the only possible exception. The road is melted out to at least the halfway point, and conditions are changing quickly with warm daytime temps. Stargaze guests should be prepared for either scenario: driving all the way in, or parking partway and walking the remainder. As always this time of year, conditions can change day to day (or hour to hour!).

There is no water in the barrels at the yurts due to consistently freezing overnight temperatures, so please continue bringing all your own water! 🥶🫗

And another friendly reminder about campfires: the wood our staff cuts, bucks, and stages around the yurts is intended for the indoor wood stoves. If you’d like to enjoy the outdoor fire pits, please gather your own firewood rather than using the staged rounds. We really appreciate everyone helping us keep the yurts stocked and ready for all guests! 🔥🪓

Enjoy the sunshine and spring adventures out there! ☀️

As a reminder, we kindly ask that guests do not burn the provided wood in fire rings outside. This wood is specifically cut and prepared into 15” rounds for use in the yurt wood stoves and is essential for keeping the yurts heated. We appreciate your help in keeping it available for its intended purpose! There are axes and bow saws at all the yurts to help you gather dead wood to burn outside! 🪵🪓

Conditions Update:

The yurts are looking a lot different than they did last week.

Warm temperatures over the past week melted off the recent snowfall and some of the existing base.

Rocky Ridge, Banner Ridge, Hennessy, and Petersen yurts are all currently drivable.

We were able to make it about halfway into Stargaze before running into an impassable snow drift.

Elkhorn Road is still not drivable. Users should plan on parking at a pullout near Banner Ridge and hiking in the rest of the way.

Skyline Road remains closed through June 15, so users will need to walk in from Gold Fork. The road is completely melted out — expect a dry walk rather than snow travel.
Spring conditions are changing quickly right now. Be prepared for a mix of mud, snow patches, and variable access depending on the day! 🌞🌻

Shoveling a yurt deck on April 22, 2026 was not on our bingo card… but here we are ❄️🙃

We were at the yurts yesterday and recent snowfall has changed conditions.

🚗 Drivable (yesterday): Petersen, Hennessy, Rocky Ridge, and Banner Ridge
❄️ Not drivable: Elkhorn and Stargaze
🚶‍♂️ Skyline Yurt: Walk-in only until June 15, regardless of snow conditions.

Snow was still falling when we left, so access may have changed — it’s possible that none of the yurts are currently drivable. Be prepared for either a drive-in or a walk-in depending on conditions. Flexibility is key right now!

If the road to Banner Ridge remains open, Elkhorn Yurt users could park in a pullout near Banner Ridge and walk the rest of the way to the yurt.

Late-season storms have changed access across the yurt system ❄️

Lower elevation yurts may still be drivable with snow chains, but users should be prepared to hike in on snow-covered roads. At the same time, warm temperatures are causing melt-out in some areas—so it’s possible that roads have cleared and are drivable. These photos were taken at Rocky Ridge Yurt only about an hour apart!

Conditions are changing quickly, and access can vary day-to-day. We can’t guarantee current road status, so please come prepared for a mix of snow, mud, and walking.

Plan ahead, be flexible, and bring the gear you’ll need for any scenario 🚗🥾

Idaho City Yurts Conditions Update 🌞🌦️

Snow is continuing to melt across the system, and conditions are changing day by day with warmer temps.

🚗 Yurt Access Update:

Elkhorn and Stargaze Yurts are still not drivable.
Rocky Ridge, Petersen, Hennessy, and Banner Ridge are drivable!
Skyline Road remains closed through June 15, but is now fully melted out—expect to walk in on dirt! 🥾

While access hasn’t changed much, expect less snow coverage overall and more mixed conditions as melt continues.

If you’re heading out, be prepared for a little bit of everything right now—snow, mud, and changing conditions depending on elevation.

We’ll keep you posted as things evolve!