How is the road from Winnemucca to Gerlach (NV 49 I think)

[big_a]

I am driving from south central PA to Gerlach in early August. I was wondering if the road from Winnemucca (NV 49) to Gerlach is surfaced all the way? The street view of it is old and parts of the satellite view appear surfaced but hard to tell if it is all the way in. Was debating about using this shorter way or going all the way to Wadsworth on I-80.

[Token]

I would only take that road in the original mil-spec hummer v1, and only if I had a full set of 4 replacement tires. And a Sat-phone to call for a rescue.

Do the right thing and go 447 like the rest of the folks.

BTW, NV49 is known as Jungo Road and is to be avoided.

[big_a]

Thank you Token. Was not sure if it had been improved since the pics were taken.

[Token]

Nope, it gets worse every year after the mine.

[TT120]

Jungo Rd. (NV49) is impassable to anything but a big 4x4 or dirtbike and even then, you'll blow out at least 2 tires on your way through. It is washed out in several places and is not maintained.

You'll have to take 447 through Gerlach to get there.

[some seeing eye]

Hey, thanks for asking before attempting! That's what we are here for.

There are all kinds of tracks on maps, satellite and rumored, like 8. They are not maintained, remote, no mobile phone service, no tow service, no water, very thin law enforcement, with armed off the grid residents and sharp, tire shredding rocks.

There are no shortcuts to BRC which is essentially in a wilderness.

Have to love this 4 days to get unstuck too:
http://robinsonfuso.com/2016/07/09/blac ... 016-day-1/
http://robinsonfuso.com/2016/07/10/
http://robinsonfuso.com/2016/07/12/
http://robinsonfuso.com/2016/07/20/
http://robinsonfuso.com/2016/07/21/
http://robinsonfuso.com/2016/07/23/
http://robinsonfuso.com/2016/07/26/
http://robinsonfuso.com/2016/07/29/
http://robinsonfuso.com/2016/08/01/

[evathedefiler]

Getting stuck like that would pretty much ruin my everything. I don’t have that much chill.

[Canoe]

In some prior years, it has been passable at some time during the summer. There are a couple of photo accounts on the internet. Those who are equipped for and like exploring remote roads who tried it (not during Burning Man), report it's worse since then.

In recent years, since Burning Man went above 50,000 (40,000?), word/warning is anyone on Jungo road is the lowest priority for recovery (assuming they even know you're there). As in, not until after Burning Man is over. (Anyone trying that road is equipped for survival, and anyone trying for Burning Man has food & water for that, so no priority.)

The equipment and personnel that can get in to get you out, is contracted for and tied up keeping the designated main roads clear & flowing for safety, addressing multiple incidents from the usual local traffic, 70,000 Burning Man participants coming/going, and BRC support.

You want to be on the expected roads, in something in good maintenance, NOT over loaded, secured loads, not speeding (particularly when going through the communities) and not passing, and the driver well rested. Be aware that there are road shoulders that look good, but once you stop on them they can give way and you can roll over. Stop and rest somewhere along the way to be sure, before you join the traffic on the roads approaching BRC. There's more - read all of the Burning Man Survival Guide.

[Luigi]

I drove it last week, from Denio past the mine at sulfur to trego then across the playa to gerlach. Parts of it are rough and I would not recommend it on the way to BM. Stay on the pavement!

[big_a]

Thank you everyone for the great feedback. I am a big fan of taking the road less traveled, but I have limits. Safety, survival, etc, are very important. I will enjoy a nice drive on the pavement! Looking forward to meeting some great people in a few weeks.

[Just_Joe]

I know several locals that make the drive (commute/shopping) all the time and asked one of them this weekend her thoughts.
High clearance is a good idea.
Good tires with a spare.
Don't drive too fast.

Anyone traveling to Burning Man is going to be overloaded, tired, and probably not have easy access to their spare and jack. I would never do it.

[Dr. Brap]

I've taken Jungo Road twice by leaving from Lovelock and heading north until it intersected Jungo Road. I thought I'd cut off a big back up in traffic once I hit 447. Both times I popped out right at the end of the line so there was really no benefit other than skipping the idiots on 447 that JUST HAVE TO BE ONE CAR AHEAD OF YOU. Honestly, these type of people make 447 far more dangerous in my opinion. So I've driven the western half of it. It's a plenty wide 20-50mph graded road. Not sure what all the groaning is about.

My first year I found a bike that had fallen off someone else's vehicle. I grabbed that and later pilfered the bike rack, water bottle holder, working brakes, and then I had a spare tire too. My second year I was hauling too much ass. As I fishtailed around a corner my brakes went out. Turned out that my rear brake lines were crazy rusty and the vibrations must have blown off a chunk of rust and then the brake line sprung a leak. Drove it to Gerlach with no brakes other than the ebrake, bought some brake fluid, made it to BRC, crimped the offending brake line closed, poured in the brake fluid, and made it back to Vegas on 3 brakes.

So, at least concerning the western half that I drove, it's plenty fine in a four wheel drive truck. I wouldn't take an RV, passenger car, or crossover. If you're not overloaded and you've driven on dirt roads before, enjoy the scenery!

[Canoe]

... I fishtailed around a corner my brakes went out. Turned out that my rear brake lines were crazy rusty and the vibrations must have blown off a chunk of rust and then the brake line sprung a leak. Drove it to Gerlach with no brakes other than the ebrake, bought some brake fluid, made it to BRC, crimped the offending brake line closed, poured in the brake fluid, and made it back to Vegas on 3 brakes. ...

My god. That's like owning an AMC.

[Zubeneschamali]

Several burns ago, a neighbor showed up at camp across L from us, really late in the weekend.

She had attempted Jungo with a camping trailer. She left Reno the same day as me, but spent 4 or 5 days stuck.

Multiple tires later she got out. Every cabinet in her trailer was shaken off the walls and in pieces. Her trailer was sprung and done.

So yeah. No.

[Token]

Several burns ago, a neighbor showed up at camp across L from us, really late in the weekend.

She had attempted Jungo with a camping trailer. She left Reno the same day as me, but spent 4 or 5 days stuck.

Multiple tires later she got out. Every cabinet in her trailer was shaken off the walls and in pieces. Her trailer was sprung and done.

So yeah. No.

Leaving from Reno to go to Winnemucca just to take Jungo Road?

Yeah, sounds like a Playa Chicken story.

Reno to Winnemucca is almost double the miles to Gerlach and then there is 100 miles of Jungo Road.

Who the fuck knows what happened to her and her trailer.

[Token]

So for those who remain gung ho on this route...

Yes it can be done if you got the right vehicle, tires, tools, spares, and know-how.

Most of Jungo Road is nice graded gravel. It was improved over time and services a commercial mining operation.

The last part of the road, where you actually see the BRC playa is basically loose shale, not improved and graded gravel.



25 miles of sharp rock edges shredding your tires.

If you got some quality 33 or 35 “ off-road 12 ply ... go for it.

Otherwise, stick with 447.