• Cedar Breaks amphitheater

    Cedar Breaks

    National Monument Utah

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  • Highway 148 is Open

    UT 148, the main road through Cedar Breaks, is now open! The Visitor Center and restrooms will open June 7 and Point Supreme Campground will open June 14. -05/23/13 More »

Winter Ranger Station Construction

The Yurt was constructed in the late fall of 2007. It took a four-person crew three days to fully assemble it. The Yurt is 20 feet in diameter and approximately 10 feet tall from platform to dome. It is a carefully constructed balance between compression and tension. The dome's compression ring must withstand the pressure of the rafters, which radiate outwards to the sides. There, the rafters connect to a stainless steel cable that is stretched taut around the entire circumference of The Yurt. The cable is supported by the lattice framework and doorjamb of the sides, which are in turn supported by a circular platform. Every component of The Yurt was designed to render it well-insulated and protected from the elements. The result is a cool and airy Yurt in the summer, and a warm and cozy Yurt in the winter.

 
Preparing the base
The first step of construction is building the platform of The Yurt.  Here workers assemble the octagonal framework that will support the platform.
 
The base is built and leveled
Once the framework is carefully raised and leveled, the floor is built on top.  The platform is insulated and resistant to weathering and moisture. 
 
Setting up the latticework
The seven-foot-tall sides of The Yurt are a wooden lattice frame.  Workers first set the lattice up in the center of the platform, then expand it towards the edges.
 
Lattice framework and door
Once the lattice framework is in place, a sturdy and well-insulated door is added. 
 
The framework for the roof and dome
The conical roof of The Yurt is constructed with a framework of wooden rafters that radiate outwards from a central compression ring.  The compression ring will eventually contain a transparent dome to let in the light and warmth of the sun. 
 
The Yurt framework
The wooden bones of The Yurt are laid bare until a worker unrolls the heavy vinyl roof covering.
 
The vinyl covering of the roof
The vinyl covering of the roof is heavier than the vinyl on the sides.  However, both coverings are insulated against extreme temperatures and are protected from UV radiation.
 
The assembled Yurt
A fully assembled yurt complete with insulated vinyl coverings, zippered windows with insect screens, and transparent dome.
 
Inside The Yurt
A peek inside The Yurt reveals a cozy hideaway perfect for warming up in the winter months.

Did You Know?

Bristlecone Pine

The oldest trees in Cedar Breaks National Monument are the Bristlecone Pine. One Bristlecone is over 1,600 years old. You can view this tree on the Spectra Point Trail.