ROUTE QUESTION

[Del Chasteen]

We are considering taking U.S. Rt. 50 thru Utah and Nevada on the way to Bullards Beach (Oregon Gatheirng) this summer. Has any one taken this route in mid summer? Suggestions please.

[Nancy in Oregon]

Hi Del,

I haven't taken that route from Utah to Nevada but have taken the drive from Nevada to Roseburg, OR. Ashland is a "must-see" town.

Ashland, OR

If you get a chance to book a quick jet boat trip along the Rogue River, I would recommend that, too.

Rogue River Jet Boat and Rafting Trips

Here are some other links for SW Oregon:

Applegate Trail Interpretive Center

Ashland, OR

Jacksonville, OR

Oregon Caves National Monument

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Roseburg Graffiti Weekend (July 9-13)

Seven Feathers Hotel and Casino

Southern Oregon Wine and Farm Tours

Nancy

[Byron Kinnaman]

A few years ago I drove Hwy 50 from Scamento to 395 and back. That section of 50 is a is not straight but very pretty. It follows the American River in California. I did it without the trailer, but I would do it again with the trailer.

[Jay Herb]

I know several people that has taken Hwy. 50 in Nevada and loved it, check out this site.

http://www.viamagazine.com/top_stories/art...he_Lonely04.asp

[Nancy in Oregon]

Del, I moved your question to this forum so it might get some more traffic (and thus, you might get some more answers).

Nancy

[Terry S]

Del - it was more than a few years ago my wife and i took the drive (1989) but i would do it again if time and circumstances permitted. we drove from delta utah to fallon nevada following rt 50 in august. i don't recall it being unbearably hot. it is moslty high desert. at the time it was primarily a two lane highway in decent condition with lots of wide open spaces. there are a few small historic, primarily mining, towns along the way as well as campgrounds scattered along the route. nevada used to run a promotion, probably still does, called the "lonliest road in america". you would send a way for a kit with a passport that you had stamped in each town along the way, then send it in and receive a certificate that you "survived". you definitely want to stop at great basin natl park and tour the lehman caves. nice (scenic) campgrounds too. the best is mt wheeler, but trailers are not recommended (maybe prohibited). since you are coming from texas, there are several great national parks/monuments in southern utah to see if you have the time: zion, bryce, capital reef (my favorite, we got hailed on in august the last time we were there), arches, natural bridges, etc. i would check out both state and local websites for information. hope this helps, keep us posted on your trip.

[George Cathcart]

We are considering taking U.S. Rt. 50 thru Utah and Nevada on the way to Bullards Beach (Oregon Gatheirng) this summer. Has any one taken this route in mid summer? Suggestions please.

We have neighbors (Durango, CO) who always use US 50 when they travel (frequently) to northern California. I've wanted to use that route, but it seems, being native southern Californians, we always end up going I-40 to the lower part of the state.

Neighbors say 50 is a beautiful, if lonely, road. They love it. Watch for the famous "shoe tree"! The one time to avoid the route, would be when there is heavy winter snow in the Sierras, which would make travelling pretty dicey west of Reno. But at the time of Bullards, that should never be a problem.

[Del Chasteen]

Thanks for the information.We have decided to take Hwy.50 on the way to Brandon.We will be stopping in Colorado Springs to visit my son for a few days .We are then going to overnight in Green River,Ely and Fallon before spending 8 or 9 days in northern California prior to the ralley.Again thanks for all the input.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Sounds like the makings of a great trip. I'm envious. Hope you have a fantastic trip.

[Nick]

On two occasions we stayed at a forest service campgroud just s.w. of Ely on route 6.

Last spring there was some road construction in the Fallon area.

[Lou & Lora E.]

hey Nick....according to http://www.nevadadot.com/traveler/roads/ there are no restrictions in that area.

[Linda R002]

Mostly that section of the road in Utah and Nevada is out of cell phone range so be sure to plan ahead with plenty of gas and water. We took it last summer and had no problems.

[Greg Janke]

Took that route a few years back. Was going west and left the 80 in Elko. South to Ely (verrrry desolate) where we spent the night and headed west on 50. Ely is an interesting town to wander around with tons of history. Decent railroad museum and a couple casinos and a couple other businesses unique to Nevada but we won't go into that! From Ely west, expect the "wide open spaces". It's not called the loneliest highway in America for nothing. There are a couple wide spots in the road along the way but no real towns.

Shame to miss Lake Tahoe. I'd sure rather see Tahoe than go thru Reno (heavy traffic, too urban, etc). If you decide on going to Tahoe on 50 from Carson City, the road's steep but 4 lanes and safe. Downhill on 50 from Tahoe to Sacramento is a gradual downgrade you can coast most of the way and you won't wear out your brakes. The east rim road to Truckee will let you see the lake and is a good road and reconnects with Hwy 80 if that's your thing.

Have fun. Lots of options.