Road advice for route planning.

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:29 am

We are heading back across to Denver from BRC to see my brother after the burn and I was looking at different routes that avoided I-80.

From Fallon, NV, I was mapping out an eastern route following Highway 50 that would take us through Austin and Ely, NV. Both of these looked to be well suited for a fuel stop and or food. From Ely over to Fillmore, UT and catch I-70 thru Grand Junction and into Denver.

How is Hwy 50 to drive across? Is it pretty much the same as running up 95 from Vegas to Reno, smooth and straight off into the distance?

Any iunsights would be greatly appreciated.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:50 am

50 is great!!!!!

skeetsh00ter · Post by **skeetsh00ter** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:37 am

whats wrong with I 80?

Apollonaris Zeus · Post by **Apollonaris Zeus** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:08 am

50 will bring you to the Great Basin National Park. Not much of the Basin in the park, but mountains.

drive up to camp ground, then hike to the bristlecone pine forest home of some of the oldest trees on earth.

I would low impact camp there, but it illegal!

AIIZ

Kinetik V · Post by **Kinetik V** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:36 am

skeetsh00ter wrote:whats wrong with I 80?

Good question. Some people are just not into 75 mph Interstate madness. I know my best memories of Nevada and I have quite a few came when I got off of I-80 and just took my time to look and explore. Perhaps they are craving the same experience.

hunter S · Post by **hunter S** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:47 am

HWY 50 is beautiful! You should concider that their are some passes to cross. Austin NV. comes to mind, their are some very nice hot springs in the "Great smokey valley (two miles off 50, great dirt road) Hotel rooms in Ely are cheap. Gas will cost a bit more. No gas from Fallon to Austin, Austin gas prices are steap! I would plan for that. No gas from Baker NV. to Milford.

Thecatman · Post by **Thecatman** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:19 pm

Once you leave Fallon the drive is nice: You'll go through the Salt Wells Basin (Kind of like the playa but alot smaller) and pass Sand Mountain. Pass the Fairview Peak earthquake fault. If you have at least a two wheel drive truck its worth the four or five mile side trip on a dirt road to the south. A car can get to the main area but be careful. There is a directional sign on 50 for the turnoff on the north side of the highway as well as an information sign a few hundred feet down the dirt road. At least stop and read that. There's petroglyphs near Fallon and Austin. If you're a histiory buff there's lots of it in the three main towns you go through in Nevada. Theres nothing but desert (which has its own beauty) in Utah til you get past Delta. Green River is nice as well Grand Junction. I've been across 50/70 a few times east to Fredrick, MD and to me the best part is between Fallon and Topeka and I'd call it an E ticket.

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:31 am

skeetsh00ter wrote:whats wrong with I 80?

Interstates have no soul and any route with a minimum of truck is a plus thing these days.

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:37 am

Excellent and thanks to the other replies! That was exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

We'll be in an AWD Pacifica with a trailer so some of those side trips are probably doable.

Bin Noddin · Post by **Bin Noddin** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:41 am

I second all the good stuff above about Hwy 50. It is a beautiful drive crossing several mountain ranges.

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:19 pm

Just don't watch Desperation, the Stephen King mini-series set along Hwy 50. Buwahaahahahaaaa.

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:24 pm

AntiM wrote:Just don't watch Desperation, the Stephen King mini-series set along Hwy 50. Buwahaahahahaaaa.

Oh shit... I've already seen it. I'm doomed.

TAK!

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 1:05 pm

the houses of ill repute along 50 have a lot of character, kind of like the "gold circle" in Winnemucca..................

Thecatman · Post by **Thecatman** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:12 pm

The only ones that are still active are in Moundhouse. The one east of Fallon closed about two years ago and I honestley can't remember any past Salt Wells.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:50 pm

Memories......(Not in Babs voice, but, that tune)...........

cowboyangel · Post by **cowboyangel** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:22 pm

..follow follow follow follow the yellow brick road...........

ron miller · Post by **ron miller** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:58 am

Thecatman,

from your posting, are you from the Carson City area?

i am looking for places to ride in the desert. also i will be taking 50 across.

r

akmojo · Post by **akmojo** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:51 pm

Austin.... pretty cool place.. I was in the US Forest Service and based at the Kingston Station... Mtns are cool as well as the hot springs...
of course, I was there in 79, wonder what it's like now...

Post by **mdmf007** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 4:28 pm

Hot and Dry, Worked some fires near Austin in 1999 and 2000 and again in 2001.

yellowdog · Post by **yellowdog** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:14 pm

Yes, yes, yes. If you hate interstates, you'll LOVE hiway 50. It's the anthesis. Sand Mountain-bring old skis and ski down, or glissade in your shoes. Later, on the road, watch for Pony Express historical sign-you can still see the path 100 years later cutting across the desert. Petroglyphs/archeological site sort of near Fallon: short hike thru ancient site overlooking shore of dry lakebed.
Gas and food are the main issues. as a rule, I top off when I can if I'm less than 1/2 tank on this road. If you run dry, it may be an hour between passing cars.
Mom's Cafe in Salina, UT is not to be missed for good American comfort food and Mormon clientele (Salina is like 99% LDS. 100% when you leave. Not that I give a flippin flip, but it's an experience for some.) another slice of rural America not seen on 'Your Moment of Zen' is Eureka, NV. Worth a stroll or drive around:a well preserved mining town with a cafe featuring waitresses wearing"Preserve American Freedom:kill an environmentalist" t-shirts. No disneyland here. Welcome to the real Amerika. Iceberg lettuce and Thousand Island dressing only.
Palisade, CO-my home. 50 wineries with tasting rooms, a distillery, a brewery, a meadery, best peaches you will EVER eat, a great diner (Palisade Cafe) and two great dinner restaurants. Pop. 2000, Exit 42
Of course, there's Moab and Fruita for Mtn biking heaven.

bigbluedoggy · Post by **bigbluedoggy** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:00 am

Ah Fruita.... what a beautiful place...

Post by **mdmf007** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:05 am

beinging back the memories - sand mountain, and that little brothel on the south side of the highway, right in the middle of nowhere.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:53 am

Going from Denver, how does it compare?
It must involve more mountains.
How is the time and difficulty overall?
It will be the last leg of the trip.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:47 am

Doesn't 80 bypass Colorado somewhat? I'd choose 70 thru CO, passing through Glenwood Springs.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 2:32 pm

50 does drop out near I-15, which you take to I-70. I-80 indeed does bypass Colorado, still high in elevation but cuts out the steeper (and more scenic) mountain passes.

Tapestry · Post by **Tapestry** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:10 am

I drove Hwy 50 back in 2004, and it was a unique experience.
http://www.burningclam.com/bm2004/2004_bm_3.html

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:41 am

There has been some discussion about driving up Rt. 95 through Schurz, NV. I have done this probably a dozen times with no problem whatsoever. Just watch your speed and you'll be fine. WARNING: Whatever you do, DO NOT stop off at the Walker River Paiute Tribe's firework stand, the Four Seasons Fireworks stand just south of town one mile from the 95-Alt 95 junction. The reason is they sell skyrockets, morters, and tons of fireworks all of which are illegal in Black Rock City. And you might find yourself tempted to buy these things. And furthermore, do not go on line and try to buy them that way because they will give you a discount and have your fireworks ready when you drive in, and that kind of temptation is just too much to handle. And while I'm at it, do not buy the box set of fireworks that set off several dozen explosions at once. That kind of behavior can bring attention to you. Consider yourselves duly warned. You'll thank me when the event is over.

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 5:46 pm

Dr. Pyro wrote:There has been some discussion about driving up Rt. 95 through Schurz, NV. I have done this probably a dozen times with no problem whatsoever. Just watch your speed and you'll be fine. WARNING: Whatever you do, DO NOT stop off at the Walker River Paiute Tribe's firework stand, the Four Seasons Fireworks stand just south of town one mile from the 95-Alt 95 junction. The reason is they sell skyrockets, morters, and tons of fireworks all of which are illegal in Black Rock City. And you might find yourself tempted to buy these things. And furthermore, do not go on line and try to buy them that way because they will give you a discount and have your fireworks ready when you drive in, and that kind of temptation is just too much to handle. And while I'm at it, do not buy the box set of fireworks that set off several dozen explosions at once. That kind of behavior can bring attention to you. Consider yourselves duly warned. You'll thank me when the event is over.

Duely noted.

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 5:57 pm

Tapestry wrote:I drove Hwy 50 back in 2004, and it was a unique experience.
http://www.burningclam.com/bm2004/2004_bm_3.html

What a beautiful write up! Thank you for sharing that.

skeetsh00ter · Post by **skeetsh00ter** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:22 pm

I'm really excited to go I 80 just so I can see the Bonneville Salt Flats. Such a huge open space of nothingness really appeals to me for some reason. Plus I've gotta haul ass to get back to Georgia so the interstate is the way to go for me.

We'll be stopping in Denver as well. Look for the Dusty ass SUV towing a trailer w/ 6 bikes. Haha, that doesn't narrow it down at all does it?