THE ROAD TO BLACK ROCK

If this is your first trip to Black Rock you might find it interesting to follow the route listed below. The road to Black Rock starts, coming from the West, at exit #43 on Route 80 near Reno Nevada. If you are coming from the East or the South your exit will be #46 on Route 80. Do not even think about trying any other route on any map unless you are already familiar with the Northwestern area of Nevada. Most of the roads are unpaved and very characteristic of the sign to the right!!!

While there are several ways to get to Wadsworth, your starting point to Black Rock, we recommend to get on Route 80, East or West as long as you can hit exit #43 or #46. Exit Route 80 at exit #43 or #46 and head for Wadsworth. As you get off the exit ramp set your odometer to zero (000) and travel the route laid out here:

000 - Exit #43 on Route 80 coming from the West. Exit #46 on Route 80 coming from the East. (From Fallon head North, take Alt50 to 80 and continue past 80, exit #46).

1.3 - From exit #43 turn left to Gerlach onto Route 447. (From exit #46 turn right onto 447)

9.8 - Good view on the right of the old eroded Truckee River bed. It runs for a couple miles and makes nice scenery.

12.8 - First view of Pyramid Lake straight ahead. The town of Nixon is off to the left.

16.8 - The town of Nixon (Indian Reservation Land), obey the speed limit.
19.8 - Lava/tufa mountain on the right, Pyramid Lake on the left. Lake is named for obvious pyramids seen as islands. Caution for dust storms year round, they sweep over the road and form mini sand dunes - and watch out for COWS!

24.5 - Lava and tufa formations abound and a large valley begins which will turn into the Winnemucca Dry Lake. The Sahwave Mountains run along your right, Lake Range is on your left.

35 - Winnemucca Dry Lake, nowhere near the size of Black Rock.

41.1 - Sign that says Gerlach is 35 miles ahead. Domed tufa rock formations on the right. Look like giant ant hills. Formed by hot springs perking up through the ground and solidifying.

49 - Mysterious 'Snoopy' rock formation on the left. Geologist are dumfounded as to its origin!
53.4 - High power lines cross over mountains on the left then on to cross Smoke Creek Dry Lake just on the other side. Limbo Range is on the right, somewhat dull landscape now, road straightens on the run to the town of Empire.

63.8 - First view of Gerlach off in the distance, Black Rock Dry Lake off to the right!

64.8 - First view of the town of Empire and the Gypsum plant.

69.4 - Empire store and Mobile gas station. Gerlach is 6 miles ahead. Cross train tracks into Gerlach. Lake bed is on the right - DO NOT EVEN THINK OF GETTING ON THE LAKE FLOOR HERE!!!
75.5 - Bruno's Motel. Do Not stop here as there is no office! To register go to Bruno's Country Club.

75.6 - Bruno's Country Club - what more can we say - its all you ever heard about and nothing else!

Now reset your odometer to zero (000) at Bruno's and head for Black Rock Dry Lake:

000 - Leave Bruno's and continue out of town.

0.4 - Gerlach Hot Springs Pool, pink buildings off on the right.

0.6 - "Y" in the road. Rt 447 curves left toward Smoke Creek, Planet Exit (a small hippie place, according to Bruno!!!) and on to Susanville, California and the great state of Oregon. TAKE THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT, Route 34.

2.1 - Hot springs close to the road on the left. Has fool's gold in it! Careful it is muddy and HOT!

2.9 - Guru Road on the left. Once a place of interest one had to see to appreciate!(?). Most of it is now ruined by heavy rain damage causing boulders to wipe out the monuments and road.

3.7 - First entrance onto the dry lake - do not take it. There will be a second road onto the lake a little way further - do not take it either. If you do enter the dry lake at either of these roads please stay exactly on the road(s) ("car tracks") Especially do not head back towards Gerlach (right) on the playa once you're in this area. The entire area is known to be SOFT. You will also probably run into the leftovers of the BURNING MAN event and have a bunch of dirty people yelling at you!

5.6 - Second entrance onto the dry lake - do not take it. This is usually the entrance used by BURNING MAN and area may still hold remnants and debris.

11.3 - Best road onto the playa (lake floor), usually referred to as 12 Mile Entrance. Enter onto the lake at this point. First Timers are advised that when you do enter the lake here please stay exactly on the road(s) ("car tracks") . Keep on the tracks working out towards the "middle" of the lake. Try to maintain a ground speed under 135mph! Watch out for soft spots and Playa Serpents. AND STAY ON THE CAR TRACKS!!!

Since the lake bed is used by several groups holding several launches throughout the year, and the car tracks are actually "roads" used by "locals", it is advised to find the most number of car tracks and follow them!!! It is a long run to the launch site and constantly be on the look out for markers. New people are advised to follow others out to the site. But if you don't just keep driving. You'll find the site by launches end!!!