FAQs
or
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Yurts But Were Afraid to Ask….
1. Why a yurt?
Why not?
Actually, they stand up well against the unpredictable New Hampshire weather, are relatively transportable, and they have a romance to them that no cabin can ever match. Want to know more about yurts? Check out the manufacturer: PACIFIC YURTS

2. What should I bring to the yurt?
First and foremost you need bedding (usually a sleeping bag and pillow or pillow cover to stuff your dry fleece in). The bunks have mattresses so you don’t really need a pad. Next is food and what ever you want to drink. In Winter use melted snow for water using the woodstove and big snowmelt pot. Boil any water you want to drink. We try to place the yurts near summer water supplies but you should plan on bringing some water with you. During all seasons we strongly urge you to boil and/or filter the water or snow you collect. Paper products, dish soap, and newsprint are kept on hand. Although we always try to make sure there are plenty of matches, it is always good to have some with you for emergency while in the backcountry. Check out the recommended gear list below. All of the accessories you need for cooking, eating, and cleaning afterward are included, just bring the food, cook, and a talented dishwasher.....

Now for the incidentals. A nice deck or camp chair can take the edge off the wooden seats. A headlamp makes the job of finding the outhouse at night a bit easier. A book, deck of cards, or even musical instrument makes for great entertainment. Remember the interior of the yurt can get hot during the middle of a summer day so plan your menu accordingly and don’t let food spoil.

3. Are pets allowed?
Dogs are welcome guests; we just ask that you be considerate of others. If you bring a dog or other pet including horses you must rent the yurt exclusively to make sure there is no conflict with others. Dogs do not need to be on a leash but they should be under voice command. Dogs can react unexpectedly to animals and if they chase the animals they may not be able to find their way back. It is especially important in the winter that your dog not chase down and exhaust the wildlife. Also, dogs that like to gnaw can do considerable damage to the yurt and its interior so stick an extra-big bone in the doggie-panniers. Remember, your best friend worked as hard (or harder) to get to the yurt as you did. Be especially careful of dog foot pads in winter as trail ice and crust can make them bleed in a short distance and its hard to carry them.

If you are allergic to pets, please do not assume that you cannot stay in a yurt. The mattresses are sealed, there are no rugs, linens, or other dander traps, and the air circulates well. As a result, there is generally very little hair or dander to trigger an allergic reaction if a dog stayed there previously but there is a little dog in every yurt. It may have just been Emily who helps build them or a whole sled dog team.

4. Is the yurt cold?

Yurts are heated by the woodstove in the winter and cooled by breezes in the summer. Because they are insulated, yurts will stay quite warm as long as the stoves are going. However, during the winter, you may want to stir the embers and add wood once or twice during the night depending on the temperature outside.

When arriving at the yurts, if any member of the group is cold then one idea is to assign the cold member the job of starting the propane cook top and getting some snow melted for quick round of hot cocoa or tea. Meanwhile have the ones who know how to build a wood stove fire work on getting that going and the rest getting and splitting wood and warmth will come faster.

5. What about wild animals in the forest?
There are moose and bears in the forests where the yurts reside. They will usually avoid human contact. However, keep the following seasonal tips in mind. Fall is mating season for moose and they can be more unpredictable and even hostile during this time. Don’t hassle them! Bears are foraging for all the food they can eat before hibernating. So, please, please keep food and garbage well sealed inside the yurt and pack EVERYTHING out when you leave. During the spring mother bear and moose are very protective of their young. Cute as those cubs may be, always assume there is one very protective and unhappy mother bear nearby and leave in a manner that gives the animals as much room as possible.

Mice, chippies, squirrels, etc abound in the forest. While they truly appreciate the handful of gorp you dropped outside, don’t leave the can of mixed nuts on the table while you go out and play. You could be reduced to crumbs when you get back…..

6. What are the trails to the yurt like?
South Summit Yurt

The trails to the South Summit yurt is a little over 5 miles, most of which is a gentle gain in elevation. The BearBrook and Fish Brook trails are old logging roads and are quite wide and open. The South Summit trail is narrrower and steeper in spots. However,all travel in the backcountry is inherently dangerous. All travelers should be prepared for all conditions and contingencies. Cell phone contact is sporadic at best and the trails are not groomed or patrolled.

Cow Mountain Yurt

The 3.5 mile trail to Cow Mountain from the Little Dummer Pond Trailhead is easy with flat to gently rising closed logging roads for the first 3.0 miles and easy up hill with a couple of steeper pitches until the last half mile uphill to the yurt. This is fun for skiing and sledding right from the yurt but not technical unless its icy. From the Cow Mountain Yurt it’s a short 1/3 mile to the top of Cow Mountain and usually skiable into a small but fun bowl just below the open summit.

Little Dummer Pond Yurt

The drive down to the Little Dummer Pond parking area from the Trail head is about 200 yards and doable most of the time if the ground is dry. Its slippery when wet and slick tires on a low hung old car will have you looking for help. In Winter its not doable except for 4X4 with aggressive treads or chains. Generally park at the trailhead and walk the drive to determine the conditions. Then its your choice. There is a chain at the boulders marking the start of the drive so be sure and get the combination from us or walk in. There is usually cell phone coverage at the Trailhead but its risky.

South Summit and Cow Mountain from Little Dummer Pond Trailhead

The trail to Cow Mountain and South Summit leaves left about 100yards below the chain on the driveway to Little Dummer Pond Yurt. The trail goes to a small foot bridge over the Dummer Ponds Outlet Stream. Do not go near the house and follow the drive up to the logging road. In Winter follow the signs to Big Dummer Pond and cross Big Dummer Pond to the Boat Launch at the South East end of the Pond and then quickly onto the road and head left or North. Shortly you will see a fork and take the right or Easterly Fort onto the Dummer ponds Loop Trail. The signs will direct you around the loop or to Cow Mountain or South Summit.

Errol Rapids Yurt

Trails around the Errol Rapids yurt are short and relatively flat but they too are not groomed or patrolled. There are snowmobile trails accessible from that yurt, any travel on them is at your own risk. The short 300’ drive in to the yurt is open in Summer and can be driven when snowy or wet if proper attention is paid to the protruding rocks that are painted orange. Its best to dodge them. It saves the orange paint. There is enough room to park several cars inside and even a trailer or two in Summer and if plowed in Winter. Otherwise just park out on the road parallel to the road on the same side as the yurt.

7. How is the yurt furnished?
The yurt has everything to sleep and serve 6 people. All of your cooking needs are included, except for the extra-virgin olive oil and Madagascar pepper. You’re on your own for that! Check out the pictures below to get an idea of what the interior looks like.

And - of course - this

This is the gear we recommend bringing to a yurt:

Altimeter
Backpack
Balaclava (winter)
Bivouac shelter (year round)
Compass
Duct tape
Extra nylon cord and clips
Fire Starting emergency kit: matches, etc.
First Aid kit
Food
Goggles and Sunglasses
Headlamp, back up lights(extra batteries, bulbs)
Insect Repellant(spring-summer)
Insulating cap, such as wool or pile material
Leg gaiters
Light layers, such as fleece
Moleskin
Neck gaiter
Pack repair kit
Pile jacket
Pocket knife
Purifying tablets or water purifier
Rain Gear
Shell parka and pants(goretex or breathable material)
Skis with Climbing Skins and/or snowshoes (winter)
Ski gloves
Ski wax (winter)
Sleeping bag(minus 30 in winter)
Socks(wool and poly pro), extra pairs
Sunscreen and Lip balm
Thermometer
Underwear top and bottom(poly pro)
Water bottle
Waterproof pouch for maps
Whistle

And - as always -good friends