The JRS: 🚚 Transportation Special Edition » BRC 2024

Volume 28, Issue #28 | August 17, 2024

A wise jackrabbit once told me: You are at Burning Man the minute you embark on your journey to the playa — when you get in the car, board the airplane, or get on the bus. This serves as a reminder to embrace Immediacy and humor, play and patience on your journey, wherever it may lead you. You are here now. Make the most of it.

But why stop there? You, dear Burner, are at Burning Man all the time. It doesn't mean you go to work dressed in bunny ears and tutu (but if you do, KUDOS!). It means Burning Man is a state of mind, a path to infusing the world around you with curiosity, creativity and awe. So if you're not packing dusty bins on your way to Black Rock City, stop that silly FOMO. Get out there and make some magic of your own.

If you are packing all the things for your journey to the dust, please read this edition carefully. It contains essential information for getting yourself and your dusty crew safely to BRC — including updates from the Reno Airport, a list of authorized locations for dropping off your trash on the way home, and channels that share critical updates on traffic and other conditions that can impact travel.

If there are nine things you take away from this edition, let them be these:

1. You will be driving through Tribal lands, school zones, and residential areas along Highway 447 through Nixon, Wadsworth, Empire and Gerlach all the way to BRC. SLOW DOWN! Vendors also must comply with speed restrictions.
2. Please fill up your gas tanks before you get onto HWY 447. Make sure you have all the fuel you need for your vehicle and your generators to get to BRC and back to Reno, Lovelock, Fernley, Nixon, Wadsworth or Cedarville.
3. Do not drive under the influence (of intoxicants or sleeplessness). 
4. Do not speed. You will get a ticket.
5. Do not pass cars on Highway 447 or County Road 34, either coming or going. It’s dangerous for you; it’s dangerous for people you’re passing; it’s dangerous to public safety personnel; and it’s dangerous to oncoming drivers.
6. Do not park on the sides of the road in Gerlach or Empire, or anywhere along highways 447 and 34.
7. Do not wait in Empire or Gerlach for the Gate to open. This has the potential to create a traffic hazard, and it’s disruptive to area residents. 
8. If traffic stops, please please please stay in your car. Do not get out and stand in the road.
9. Secure your loads so they don’t fly off your vehicle. Do your part to prevent flyaway trash.

Was that clear enough? Good. We want you to arrive in Black Rock City safely, and return to your other home the same way. 

For those of you arriving early in BRC with a Setup Access Pass (SAP), remember to print your SAPs before leaving home! Scanning SAPs from your phone is not a reliable way to enter BRC and causes delays at Gate. Print your SAPs in advance so you don't end up in D Lot!

If you have an interaction with law enforcement while on the road or in BRC and have feedback (positive or negative), please fill out one of our Law Enforcement Feedback Forms at Playa Info, Black Rock Ranger HQ at 5:45 and Esplanade, or online while details are still fresh in your mind. 

The Man Burns in 14 days! 

Doing it Right — Tips & Tricks for an Uneventful Drive

• Listen to GARS 95.1 FM & BMIR 94.5 FM for Weather, Gate & Exodus Updates
• Vehicle Maintenance
• Renting a Vehicle? Get to Know it Before Heading Out
• Clean Your Rental Vehicle Thoroughly — Including the Engine
• Load Your Vehicle Safely!
• Travel Tips & Reminders 
• Gassing up in Neighboring Towns
• Drive the Speed Limit or You Will Get Stopped!
• Go Before You Go
• Some Helpful Advice from the Nevada State Police
• International Drivers in the U.S.

Respect Our Neighbors

• Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe (further reading)
• Pyramid Lake Camping & Day-use
• Gerlach & Empire
• Fireworks
• Nobles Trail

Check @bmantraffic on X and the BRC Dashboard for Travel Conditions

Traffic and travel conditions in and out of BRC can change dramatically, due to weather, highway conditions, the volume of vehicles arriving and leaving...  Plan your travel by paying close attention to these channels:

• Follow @bmantraffic on X
• Watch our new BRC dashboard for critical updates (live soon!)
• Listen to Gate Advisory Radio Station (GARS) 95.1 FM for Gate updates

Heed These Updates From the Reno Airport

Are you flying through the Reno Airport on your way to or from Black Rock City? Then listen up, we have some important information for you! 

Before BRC

• Burner Express Bus pick-up is a four-minute walk north of the terminal
• Burner Express Air is located two miles from the main airport terminal
• See maps to both locations

Picking up friends at the airport? Oversized vehicles are not allowed to wait curbside. Please park that truck or mutant vehicle in the Free Waiting lot or hotel overflow parking area. Vertical clearance for the skybridge is 14'6"; vertical clearance for the curbside canopies is 13'.

After BRC

• DO NOT bring your trash to the airport; leave it at one of these locations
• DO arrive at the airport at least two hours early for your flight 
• Traveling through the Reno Airport and looking to donate your bike? The Reno Airport is now accepting limited bike donations from those embarking from the airport.

At the airport, give yourself extra time to explore “Beyond Blackrock: A Global Burning Man Showcase,” an exhibit highlighting the Regional Network. You'll find it at depARTures Gallery in the C-Concourse hallway.

Reno Airport has their own webpage with useful information for Burners. 

Leave Nevada Beautiful: Trash, Recycling & RV Dump Locations

Do not dump trash at locations such as rest stops, RV parks, hotels, convenience stores, or worse — in front of people’s homes. Please dispose of your trash before coming to Tahoe. Do not leave trash in the Tahoe / Truckee area, and remove food and tasty trash from your vehicle — you can attract bears!

Please rely on our our network of Burner-friendly authorized trash, recycling, and RV grey/black water servicing facilities to legally dispose of your waste on your way home.

Where to drop off your waste

Do Not Show Up at Gate in a Taxi, Rideshare Company, or Hired Car

If you’re planning to arrive in BRC in a taxi, via a ridehare company, or hired car, you cannot be dropped off at Gate or anywhere near Black Rock City. You WILL be turned away and sent back to Gerlach. The last drop-off point available is Bruno’s in Gerlach. From there, you will need to find a ride into BRC with a friendly playa-bound Burner.

Note the Road Closure on U.S. 395 in California Starting September 4

If you will be driving home via U.S. 395 in California, note there will be a 15-day closure between Bridgeport and State Route 108 starting Wednesday, September 4.

Learn more

Arriving at BRC

• Ok, You Made it to the Gate… Now What?
• Coming and Going? You Will be Charged an In and Out Fee.
• Flying into BRC? Make sure your pilot has permission! If you are flying into Black Rock City, it is vital that you confirm your pilot is authorized to land at BRC Municipal Airport or is part of the Burner Express Air charter program. A pilot who lands at BRC’s airport without authorization will be required to depart with all passengers, even if they have tickets to the event. The pilot also risks being reported to law enforcement. For more information, visit the Black Rock City Municipal Airport website.

Alternatives to Driving

• Get a ticket on the Burner Express Bus
• Get a ticket on Burner Express Air
• Rideshares — Get ’em Here!
• Flying Through Reno — Reno-Tahoe International Airport & Air Playa Info

Troubleshooting — Preparing to Leave

• You Remembered a Spare Key, Right?
• Blow Before You Go
• So, You Need a Tow?

Exodus & Getting Home Safely

• Getting out of BRC
• Pulsing: Exodus Peak Times
• Do Not Pass… Do Not Get Killed

The Department of “In Case You Missed This”

Health & Safety Special Edition
Greening Your Burn Special Edition
Art Special Edition
Center Camp Special Edition
Law Enforcement Special Edition
Bikes Special Edition
Kids & Family Special Edition

We were listening to...

There's a city in my mind..... "Road to Nowhere" by Talking Heads | Listen on Spotify

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Credits:
Editor: Kirsten Weisenburger
Looking Over Shoulders: Dominique Debucquoy-Dodley, Leslie Moyer
Design & Development: Silvia Stephenson
Original Jackrabbit (O.J.): Marian Goodell
Jackrabbit Emeriti: Jane Lyons, Andie Grace, Will Chase, Jon Mitchell, Leslie Moyer
Header image: Gate road
Header Photographer: Kate Beale

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