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Okay just back early from 4th on the playa and took Jungo both out and back. This was my first time since I have always been scared from all the "bring three spare and a globe-sat" radio warnings. But I've driven all kinds of old mining and logging roads in Utah so I thought I would give it a try. I'm never done it for BM since I usually am towing a trailer. Do NOT take a trailer on this road.
In summary, it is 96 miles from Winnemucca to Gerlach. The 50 miles closest to Winnemucca are really a breeze; just flat gravel and dust. I averaged about 45 - 50 mph on this stretch. It is well maintain because it goes to an operational mine. Any vehicle that does not have bald tires should be just fine.
The next 46 are as advertised "tough" but there is nothing that requires high clearance or 4WD. It is just bumpy and rocky. My guess is that most people who have problems don't really have off road tires. Just because you have an SUV or 4x4 truck does not mean you have off road tires. The stock tires generally are just made for paved driving because most people don't like the extra road noise of off road tires.
What you need are 10-ply all terrain tires for this sort of stuff. I have a big ass 4WD van with these tires and had no problems. Yes, they are expensive; plan to pay $200 per tire installed for good ones. I slowed to an average of 30 mph on the part nearest the playa. But relax, slow down and enjoy the view of the seldom seen east side of the playa coming into Gerlach.
Thanks for all the input from others. I still do carry a full-sized spare, a “Slime” patch, air compressor and a big after market jack.
I would suggest not taking Jungo in a passenger car or anything without off road tires. At the very least make sure you have a full sized spare as opposed to one of those tiny spares. Make sure you really have to tools and strength to change a tire if you need to. Some SUV and truck tires weigh more than 100 pounds and you are going to have to lift it at least 6 inches off the ground to get it on to the lugs.
Hope this adds to the body of knowledge and mythology of Jungo.
In summary, it is 96 miles from Winnemucca to Gerlach. The 50 miles closest to Winnemucca are really a breeze; just flat gravel and dust. I averaged about 45 - 50 mph on this stretch. It is well maintain because it goes to an operational mine. Any vehicle that does not have bald tires should be just fine.
The next 46 are as advertised "tough" but there is nothing that requires high clearance or 4WD. It is just bumpy and rocky. My guess is that most people who have problems don't really have off road tires. Just because you have an SUV or 4x4 truck does not mean you have off road tires. The stock tires generally are just made for paved driving because most people don't like the extra road noise of off road tires.
What you need are 10-ply all terrain tires for this sort of stuff. I have a big ass 4WD van with these tires and had no problems. Yes, they are expensive; plan to pay $200 per tire installed for good ones. I slowed to an average of 30 mph on the part nearest the playa. But relax, slow down and enjoy the view of the seldom seen east side of the playa coming into Gerlach.
Thanks for all the input from others. I still do carry a full-sized spare, a “Slime” patch, air compressor and a big after market jack.
I would suggest not taking Jungo in a passenger car or anything without off road tires. At the very least make sure you have a full sized spare as opposed to one of those tiny spares. Make sure you really have to tools and strength to change a tire if you need to. Some SUV and truck tires weigh more than 100 pounds and you are going to have to lift it at least 6 inches off the ground to get it on to the lugs.
Hope this adds to the body of knowledge and mythology of Jungo.
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Vatican City
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Re: Jungo Rd. 7/04/09 report
Mon, July 6, 2009 - 1:18 PMI've been entertaining a notion of taking Jungo Road by bicycle -- basically Amtrak to Winnemucca then bike to Burning Man. I'd have the bulk of my gear shipped (one of the east-coast shipping containers, probably.) I have two concerns.
First, would the stretch that connects Winnemucca and the active mine be ... what's the word ... "safe" by bike? I imagine it's more-or-less a straight, flat road with good visibility and enough width for the occasional vehicle to make a safe pass. Is that true?
Second, the latter rocky part ... is that strewn with small and medium-sized sharp rocks all over, or is it more like a mostly-passable dirt road with bigger sharp rocks every 30' or so? Again: navigable by bike, or a nightmarish exercise in carrying a bike 50 miles?
Aside from that, it'd be up to me to figure out the rest of the necessary food and water for 2 days out and (worse) the 2 days back.
Fuck you, I love you,
---Jason Olshefsky -
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Re: Jungo Rd. 7/04/09 report
Mon, July 6, 2009 - 2:06 PMI don't know what you are used to but I'd say that the first 50 miles to the mine would mostly be hot and boring. There are occasional work trucks raising dust but I would not call it a steady stream of vehicles. The second part is more scenic and more technical in terms of riding and driving. It is more like 46 miles of OK road punctuated with several one mile stretches of sharp and bumpy road.
If you are going during the event, you at least should not be stranded for more than a few hours since so many people use the road during that time. Remember that once you get to Gerlach, you'd still have 12 miles to go.
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Re: Jungo Rd. 7/04/09 report
Mon, July 6, 2009 - 2:12 PMI don't know if this is represenative of the terrain, but it does let you know you should be watching out for blockades manned by Mad Max wannabes.
www.youtube.com/watch
These people seem to come through unscathed.
www.youtube.com/watch
And well, it is dangerous: flickr.com/photos/corprew/241001047/
flickr.com/photos/dav1d/194160865/
So, I don't really know. I don't think crashes would be as bad on a bicycle, you don't have the speed or the weight. If you're up for it, and have a good back-up plan if you do get stranded... -
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Re: Jungo Rd. 7/04/09 report
Mon, July 6, 2009 - 2:23 PMWell, yeah there is that ....and headless ghost of Caleb
...yeah, he would think it is funny. -
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Re: Jungo Rd. 7/04/09 report
Tue, July 7, 2009 - 12:01 PMI think you could ride your bike from Winnemucca fine, albeit it'd have to be a mountain bike with fat tires. Bring spares.
And, the Trego crossing is about 18 miles from Gerlach, and 2 mile from BRC. So, 82 miles from Winnemucca to BRC.
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Re: Jungo Rd. 7/04/09 report
Tue, July 7, 2009 - 1:15 PMCrap. I was hoping you all would convince me it's a bad idea. Now I'll have to consider it a possibility.
Fuck you, I love you,
---Jason Olshefsky -
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Re: Jungo Rd. 7/04/09 report
Tue, July 7, 2009 - 3:02 PMI was on parts of Jungo this past weekend. For this time of the year it is actually in much better condition that I've seen it in a long time. This doesn't mean a damn thing of course.
If someone is going to do the entire journey I think most practical things have been said here. Just go prepared and keep it under 30mph and you'll probably do fine.
Or not.
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