Detour between Gerlach & BRC?!?!

[mrhabilis]

Google Maps shows St Rd 34 closed, just north of Gerlach. Instead of a straight shot up to Black Rock City, Google Maps takes you on a horrendous 3+ hour detour up 447, then circling back 30 miles or so north of BRC. I have sent an email to Google (never expecting a reply, but) hoping they would investigate. I also searched the Nevada DOT to see if there was road work in the area and can't find anything. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Phil in Indy (looking forward to my first burn)

[lucky420]

It's been that way (Google)since last fall. It was resealed along one stretch but that's all. I was in Gerlach a month ago and at Black Rock month and 1/2 ago. No issues

[Thecatman]

I google maped from my house in Carson City to Black Rock City and yeah, it said continue north on 447 past Gerlach and before Duck Flat turn right on who knows what kind of road. No wonder people get lost and die following gps systems.
I can tell you mrhabilis that highway 34 in maintained by Washoe county, not NDOT. Same with 447 north of Gerlach to the California line. 447 is maintained by NDOT between Gerlach south to Wadsworth, and that is where some serious washouts have occured.Highway 34 is a nice drive though, but you will need high clearance, if not 4x4.
I can't imagine that Washoe county would close 34 during BM, unless there was a major washout from a flashflood.

[FlyingMonkey]

Maps? GPS?

I just follow all the cars with bicycles strapped to them. Gets me there every time

My GPS tried to get me to take Jungo Road out of Winnemucca one year. I've heard that that would be a poor decision.

[Savannah]

Maps? GPS?

I just follow all the cars with bicycles strapped to them. Gets me there every time

My GPS tried to get me to take Jungo Road out of Winnemucca one year. I've heard that that would be a poor decision.

I think your GPS has a life insurance policy out on you.

[Thecatman]

Maps? GPS?

I just follow all the cars with bicycles strapped to them. Gets me there every time

My GPS tried to get me to take Jungo Road out of Winnemucca one year. I've heard that that would be a poor decision.

Jungo Rd would have been a mistake, unless you had at least four 10 ply spare tires. I drove it once from 447 to the old town of Sulphr and sliced the right rear tire. I consider myself lucky that it was just one tire.

[trilobyte]

I'm giving this a nudge to the Transportation board, since that's a better fit for discussions about transportations issues.

My understanding is that the road between Gerlach and the Burning Man point of entry is in good shape. As always, you may want to stay tuned to the Jack Rabbit Speaks newsletters (they cover it if there are large scale road issues), or better still, check into the @BMantraffic feed on Twitter. That will start up before the gates open, and deliver updates on traffic and road conditions throughout the event. If you're listening to BMIR via the iheartradio app, they should also have hourly traffic updates.

[Skuzzy61]

Well, does the route I have attached, coming from the South, look right to you guys? It is what my trip planning software came up with, which exports to my GPS unit.

basecamp.jpg

[Jackass]

If anyone can manage to get lost and not find the event from I-80, then they need a software update upside their heads. Just follow the herd, no batteries required...

[mrhabilis]

Yes, Skuzzy61, that looks right. My original post was not intended to discuss the best route out of Gerlach to BRC, it was to question the possibility of an incredibly crappy detour. Since I only get about 14mpg, and have a small gas tank, I have to be very careful with my trip planning. Google Maps is usually right on top of things, but it is clear that in this case, they are not up-to-date. Thanks to all for the confirmation that highway 34 is going to be in good shape. On a side note, since I will be coming from Indianapolis, I too had considered Jungo Rd. I'm glad that many people set me straight. I would rather drive a little longer and actually make it, than drive on Jungo Road and have someone find my dried out bones in a couple of years. Later, dudes and dudettes. -Phil K. in Indy

[Dr. Pyro]

Since I only get about 14mpg, and have a small gas tank, I have to be very careful with my trip planning.

I see your problem right now: You need a different car.

[mrhabilis]

Dr. Pyro, Normally, I get 26+ mpg but when I am pulling my little RV trailer, it drops quite a bit...
However, I thank you for your kind offer. If you will let me know when you have paid for a better one and let me know where I can pick it up, that would make me very happy. Seriously, thanks for all the comments, each was informative and all of them made me smile. I will (most likely) be at "Mobility Camp", 7:30 Center Camp Plaza, look me up. See you at BM. -Phil K. in Indy

[Jovankat]

I drove between Gerlach and BRC 4 times 2 weeks ago. The road is fine, in fact as Lucky says it's been resurfaced so it's extra nice.