How we get there

Introduction | How we get there | How we get our stuff there

How we get there (updated February 20, 2004)

We start our journey from Seattle, WA.. a fair distance from the Gerlach, NV. It's 658 miles according to MS Streets & Maps. If we were able to drive without stopping. It could take us only 13 hours and 20 minutes. But since running out of gas puts a dent in forward progress we break it down into legs. We usually drive until 5 pm and then sleep for a few hours at a campsite. We like getting there at sunrise on Monday!

First leg (4 hours 35 minutes, 282 miles) "Easy Freeway Leg"

We usually start the Sunday before BM, about 6 am. Make a last check of all the junk, tighten all the straps and jump on I-5. Heading due south we drive for about 4.5 hours until we get to Eugene, OR. There we usually take a food break and refuel for about 30 minutes (maybe less). Last year we made really good time on this leg.. only about 4 hours to get here.

Second leg (3 hours 40 minutes, 175 miles) "Oregon Mountain Leg"

We depart Eugene, OR and get off I-5 at the exit for state highway 58 (also know as the Willamette Hwy). You'll wind your way east into the mountains for about 83 miles. Then when you get the junction for US Hwy 97 , stay to the right and you'll be going south on US 97. Another 78 miles and you'll be in Klamath Falls, OR. This is the last major piece of civilization before the playa. You'll find a Fred Meyer, supermarkets, banks and more ceaseless commercial hideousness. We usually pickup any last minutes items we missed, some food for dinner and fill up on gas here (cheapest gas was at the Albertsons gas station heading towards Altamont on US 39). We also fill up a 5 gallon gas can just in case we some how run out of gas or somebody is in need of gas.

Third leg (1 hour 35 minutes, 70 miles) "Find the Campground Leg"
Then take US 39 out of town and head into California. This is a pretty short leg because if we drove straight through then we get the to playa before the gates opened. Of course if we had to setup a theme camp, then we would probably just drive it straight through. We usually stop at a campground 6 miles outside of Canby called Howard's Gulch Campground. As you near Canby there is a very large sweeping curve in the road, just as the curve is ending there will be a turn off for the campground.... it's easy to miss, we did the first time. There is a pay station as you enter the campsite. Last time we camped there, it was only $6. Then find a empty campsite and setup a bug proof shelter. We used our tent as our shelter.. kept the mosquitoes at bay. Some insect repellant spray and one of those bug candles would probably also work pretty well. We usually crawl into our tent and snack on the dinner we bought in Klamath Falls. Then we drift off for a evening nap.

Final leg (4 hours, 148 miles) "Avoid the Dirt Road Leg"
We wake up at around 1 am (now Monday) and pack up our tent. Jump back on SR 139 and head towards Canby. At a T junction you'll be turning left and heading towards Alturas. You will be on SR 299 now. After you pass through Alturas, you will veer right at few miles up and stay on SR 299 going towards Cedarville. Soon you'll be passing though Cedarville pass and going downhill pretty darn fast till you reach Cedarville.

WARNING!! When you reach the center of Cedarville you'll be at a four way intersection. You will be making a right on to SR 81. Do not go straight and continue on SR 299. We made the mistake of going straight for BM 2003 because Microsoft Streets & Maps said it was a shorter distance. Really big mistake... it's a paved road until you get to the Nevada border then a really shitty dirt road. We looked at the GPS and it didn't look very far to SR 34 which we thought might be a paved road. So we pushed on and held out hope. We finally got to SR 34. Guess what.. another dirt road and it was under construction. Hope is a dangerous thing. So we thought SR 34 has to be paved at some point because it's the main road that goes past the event. So we pushed on through braille on your ass road and suicidal jackrabbits running at our vehicle for hours on end. The paved road started about 9 miles from Black Rock City. When the paved road started... I got out to check to make sure nothing fell off, kissed the road and gave thanks to the pavement gods. So please... don't try to take a shortcut because it isn't. We ended up getting to the front gate at the same as if we would have gone the other way. Learn from our mistake.

So where were we? Ok.. right on to SR 81 in Cedarville. Then you pass through quaint Eagleville and before you know it you'll be at the California/Nevada border. Another reason you'll know your in Nevada is because the road is decidedly more chunky. Like the difference between wearing silk or sandpaper. Now your on SR 447. You'll continue over hills and curves for about 53 miles till you near Gerlach. Then you'll see the turn off for SR 34 and plenty of signs for Burningman usually. Make a left on to SR 34 and continue till you see the entrance!! Sunrise is always so pretty over the black rock desert. Open up your vehicle for the Rangers to search and hug your greeter. Welcome to the best place on earth.