The Loneliest Road to BRC

[FoolsGold]

I'm considering a few different routes from Santa Fe, NM to BRC and one that sounds intriguing includes a long (lonely) stretch on US-50 through Nevada. Has anyone tried this road? From what I've read, it sounds like the landscape it passes through is stunning in places, but if that doesn't quite match with reality then I would probably be better served just coming up via I-95 (as the appeal would be the drive itself, rather than it being a shortcut, which it isn't).

Thanks!

[zorro sings]

Have driven that road many times. Main advantage,besides being a shorter route from most destinations south east of it, is the virtual lack of speed limit on the open stretches. A moot point if you are driving a typical Burner rig I suppose. If unsure about vehicle reliability 1-80 is the way to go. Stunning scenery might be in the eye of the beholder but if you like stark vistas there's alot of that.

If you do go US 50 stop along the road at some point between Utah border and Eureka. Walk around a bit and you are sure to find old soda bottles thrown out the windows in the 50's and 60's.

[Molotov]

I tried US 50 to take direct to Kansas last year after exodus. After about 100 miles, I couldn't get off it fast enough and went a little out of my way to get on Interstate 80. US 50 is probably fun if you aren't pulling a travel trailer and don't mind passing through every dink little town with a slow speed limit and being stuck behind slow vehicles for miles with it not being safe to pass.

[Elliot]

Be advised that many of the apparent-towns on maps of Nevada do not have filling stations. For example, I once drove US 6 and planned to refuel in Warm Springs, only to find that Warm Springs does not exist, other than as an intersection with a smaller road.

[Just_Joe]

It was better four years ago.

https://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic ... st#p780147

[FoolsGold]

Thanks very much for the replies (and the link, Just_Joe — I missed that on my search) — they are a big help. This drive sounds too good to pass up. I'll just have to decide whether to take US-50 on the way there or on the way back...

[mgb327]

I always take 50. It is so nice to have zero traffic for miles. The hills, both up and down, can be a PITA in places. Coming down into Austin from the East is a first gear drop. Seriously. The locals like to sit out on the porches and watch the tourists with flaming brakes slide into town. Speed trap as well. I love taking 50, but it's not for everyone.

[ygmir]

50 is a great road.
cell service can be very spotty.
fuel every chance you get near 1/2 tank.
though you'll probably make good time, don't be surprised to get behind someone slower for a while.....just don't whine about it, follow, pass when safe, and find your overall trip time to not have changed when you get to BRC.
stop at at least one local eatery.

[lucky420]

and if you're lucky you will get to experience Navy jets zooming in fast and low over the highway somewhere between Eureka and Fallon. really

[nilasnake]

it can get rather boring...so don't fall asleep at the wheel.

[Thecatman]

We take 50 about 90% of the time going to Orem, Utah for an annual baseball trip.
If time allows there's Great Basin National Park at the Utah line and the Northern Nevada Railroad Museum in Ely and,
if you go through Austin in the morning, stop at the Toiyabe Café for breakfast, for lunch if you're through in the afternoon. It'll be on your left going west, just past the county maintenance yard.
Just make sure your brakes are in great condition. Coming off Austin Summit (7,484ft) into Austin (6,575ft) you'll be dropping almost 1,000ft in elevation in about 3 miles "Hairpin county and Switchback city" with another 1,000 ft drop into the Reese River Valley just west of town, though it is more gradual.

[Thecatman]

don't mind passing through every dink little town with a slow speed limit

There's only four going east to west,
Ely, Eureka, Austin and Fallon,
and Fernley which is on 50A
unless you plan to stay on 50 to I580/395 then you'll go through Dayton and Carson City

[burner von braun]

I heeded the advice that mgb and Sic Pup gave me at the M&G, and drove highway 50 heading home after Cargo Cult. It was a great way to decompress, reminisce about the burn, and transition back to defaultia. Serene with very little traffic. You won't make great time like the interstate, but Nevada is a pretty big state no matter how you slice it. There is a portion of the road at the western end where people have gathered rocks and used them to spell out their names and messages along the dunes on the sides of the road. This goes on for miles. Also, there is a huge open pit mine just outside of Ely that operates those gigantic dump trucks that would make any MV aficionado drool. All in all a nice quiet drive if you have the time. Then a zig zag and you're on 70 headed east.

[FoolsGold]

Really appreciate the tips and suggestions. Setting aside a little extra time and taking it on the way back sounds like a great way to go. Thanks everyone!

[mdmf007]

and if you're lucky you will get to experience Navy jets zooming in fast and low over the highway somewhere between Eureka and Fallon. really

We were on 50 1998ish when 2 FA18s on the deck blasted past us with 2 F16s right behind them... ob the deck was 100 feetish.

[Thecatman]

We were on our way to Gabbs in 2001 or so going to the Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park and a similar experience with two F16s. In the Dixie Valley. It was awesome. Totally awesome.
"flashback to Fast Times At Ridgemont High"

[knobdyspcl]

We were on our way to Gabbs in 2001 or so going to the Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park and a similar experience with two F16s. In the Dixie Valley. It was awesome. Totally awesome.
"flashback to Fast Times At Ridgemont High"

cracking open this tread...

I've camped at upper Kern River, Calkins Flat for years. We'd have fighter jets fly thru, don't ask me what kind, they were small, light colored and flew like a bat outta hell! Not to mention by the time you heard them they were already past you, or the echos thru the canyon makes you look in the wrong direction. Tried several times to get a pic of them, and ended up with lots of pretty sky and canyon walls. It's a really kewl sight/experience and will leave you with goose bumps.

hmmmmm, that would be a kewl gift to everyone on the playa. Anyone have any contacts with the air force? Sadly, I only have Army contacts and doubt BLM'd let a tank or armored humvee drive down Esplanade just before the man burns.

[fernley1]

2 years ago during Bman, 2 F-18s were flying circles around BRC.

[lucky420]

If you want a military fly over BM contact the Naval Air Station at Fallon. Navy

[AntiM]

The US Navy is the second largest air force in the world.

You bet they do their training runs over BRC. Not that they can see detail, but Navy pilots love to show off. Frickin' flyboys. The event itself is off limits to all personnel stationed at Fallon. Poor babies, so close yet so far.

[Meat Hunter]

LOL.

It would not be the first time that a sailor visited an establishment that was Off Limits.

[Aurelia]

[size=200][/size]Yes
please come AND BE WITH US