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Facilities and Services
Housing. Despite being in the middle of the wilderness, Taylor Ranch has comfortable rustic cabins with modern amenities. Lodging rates are $15.00 per night per person. Visitors are responsible for their own cooking and cleaning their living quarters before leaving. Cookware and cleaning supplies are available in each cabin. Log cabins have running water and septic systems. Heat is provided by wood stoves. A micro hydroelectric generator on Pioneer creek provides 120 volt electricity to the station, with backup power from solar power and a portable gas generator. Description and Photos of Buildings
Reservations. You must have reservations to stay at Taylor Ranch Field Station; summer openings are limited. Contact Jim and Holly Akenson for available dates by email at tayranch@hughes.net, or by phone at 1-254-543-9291, or write to Taylor Ranch Field Station, HC 83 Box 8070, Cascade, ID 83611-8070.
Internet & Communication. Satellite Internet allows users to maintain communications while working from this remote site. For laptop users, wireless routers provide Internet access in most cabins, on the decks, and much of the property. There is a computer in the Lanham Lab for use by visitors or users may bring their own portable computers. A satellite phone is available for use. Satellite phone costs of $0.55 minute must be paid by the user.
Wilderness Friendly Practices. To minimize impacts to the local environment we have some special constraints. Garbage is separated into "burn", "compost", and "fly out". Each group is responsible for flying out their own garbage. Therefore, packaging should be minimized when flying in supplies, i.e. avoid bottled water or juices and extra containers. Rinse packaging and flatten containers before disposing of in trash cans to minimize odors. Electrical power is limited, so please do not bring unnecessary electric appliances.
Research and educational activities conducted in wilderness surrounding Taylor Ranch Field Station must comply with wilderness regulations. Wilderness users need to obtain a Special Use Permit from Payette National Forest.
Our Philosophy. Our philosophy is to maintain a traditional working backcountry ranch that blends with the wilderness, while providing state-of-the-art technology. We strive for self-sufficiency when we use the mule team for heavy work, packing research supplies, and "putting up" hay for winter feed. Onsite hydropower decreases financial and environmental cost by reducing the amount of fuel that must be flown into the wilderness. With satellite links to the Internet and telephone it is possible to live in the wilderness and still have access to information technology.
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