New Mt. Adams Yurts Proposed

Edit: FS extends comment period to July 21st

Mt. Adams Backcountry Yurts – Cold Springs Campground/South Climb Trailhead

To increase winter recreational opportunities, a private outfitter proposes to operate two seasonal yurts via special use permit at the Cold Springs  campground on the Mt. Adams Ranger District. The yurts will facilitate public access to the South Climb Trailhead and surrounding snow-covered areas for recreation during winter months when snow on Forest Roads limits access.

The yurts will operate from roughly November 20th to June 20th.

Yurts will be towed in on trailers via Forest Road 500 in the late fall and assembled before the first snow arrives. In the spring, once the Cold Springs Campground is accessible by 4x4 vehicles and trailers, the yurts will be disassembled and removed. Proposed yurt siting is compatible with the existing campground and trailhead layout and future campground and trailhead re-design currently being planned. Yurt rental operations could begin as early as winter 2023 pending interdisciplinary team review.

Yurts will remain on trailers throughout the winter season (Figure 5). The yurts are 20 feet in diameter and wood-heated; the outfitter will provide wood. Guests will utilize the existing toilet facilities located at the Cold Springs Campground. Each yurt can sleep 6 guests, for a total of 12 guests. Guests will park at Pineside Sno-Park and be towed via snowmobile 13.5 miles to the yurt location at Cold Springs Campground. While staying at the yurt, guests can enjoy winter activities such as backcountry or cross-country skiing, splitboarding, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling. Guests will be made aware of wilderness regulations regarding motorized access as well as access restrictions for adjacent land owned by Yakama Nation.

Preparation of a detailed Environmental Analysis is not expected for this project. The proposal will be analyzed per categorical exclusion 36 CFR 220.6(d)(12) - Issuance of a new authorization or amendment of an existing authorization for recreation special uses that occur on existing roads or trails, in existing facilities, in existing recreation sites, or in areas where such activities are allowed.

Figure 5. Example of yurts to be operated seasonally during the winter at Cold Springs

Campground/South Climb Trailhead.

How to Comment

Comments on these three proposals are welcome. Please provide comments by July 21st, 2023.

Comments or questions can be directed to: Whitney Reynier, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, Mt.

Adams Ranger District.

• Mailing Address: 2455 Hwy 141, Trout Lake, WA 98650

• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Phone: 509-395-3425

Thank you for your interest in management of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.