Route 2: The Summer Lake Hot Springs Route

Eugene, La Pine, Paisley, Lakeview, Cedarville, Gerlach

Note: Updated versions of these directions can be found on gwally.com/directions/. This page is no longer updated.

Estimated route time & distance:
Seattle to Gerlach, NV
  Distance: 700 mi.
  Driving time: 16.5 hours

This route much of the same roads as the traditional route, except that it is slightly faster and has a fabulous place to camp if you plan to make the drive over two days. It avoids Klamath Falls, but passes stores such as Safeway in Lakeview, Oregon.

Each section is broken down into sections such as Seattle to Eugene. We give the distance and the approximate driving time. Each section bullet gives the landmark and the distance and the time to that point. We have tried to give the accurate mileage from one point to the next at the end of each point in the directions. They may not be exact, but they can give you a general idea of the distance.

Seattle to Eugene, Oregon
  Distance: 288 mi.
  Driving time: 5 hours

From Seattle to Eugene, you will be on I-5 and most services you expect to find along an interstate corridor. Our directions detour around Portland using I-205 at exit #7. It can be a huge time savings during peak commute hours which can easily add one or two hours to your trip between Vancouver, WA and Eugene, OR

• Follow I-5 southbound.
• You will pass through Tacoma (34 mi).
• You will pass through Olympia (61 mi).
• You will pass through Centralia/Chehalis (85 mi).
• You will pass through Kelso (126 mi).
• You will reach Exit #7 just north of Vancouver, WA (157 mi).
• Take I-205 to detour heavy traffic in Portland
  Note: I-205 is 37 miles long and rejoins I-5 again around Wilsonville.
  The exit is #288 when heading north.
• Merge from I-205 to I-5 heading south.
• You will pass through Salem (220 mi).
• You will pass through Albany (244 mi).
• You will arrive in Eugene (288 mi). Continue south on I-5.

Eugene to La Pine, Oregon
  Distance: 121 mi.
  Driving time: 3.5 hours

From Eugene you will pass through the Willamette National Forest with breathtaking views and wonderful Douglas Firs. This is the last time on the journey you will see trees like this. From here on out the land becomes more arid as you go.

This route takes you past OR-31 to La Pine. If you do not need supplies, you can turn onto OR-31 and continue your drive. But if you need anything, La Pine is the last city of any size until Lakeview, Oregon

• Heading south on I-5, take exit #188A to OR-58 (Willamette HWY) towards Oakridge/Klamath Falls.
  Keep going left at the fork in the ramp.
• Take OR-58/WIllamette Highway to US-97 (86 mi total).
• You pass through Oakridge (36 mi).
  Note: Kitson Hot Springs is 4.6 mi away down Kitson Springs Rd.
• You pass through McCredie Springs (44 mi.)
• You cross the Willamette Pass (5,128 ft) (64 mi.)
  Note: To the south you see Crescent Lake.
• You will reach US-97. Turn slightly right and head north for La Pine (86 mi).
• Take US-97 North to La Pine (28 mi total).
• You will pass through Crescent (104 mi).
• You will pass through Gilchrist (105 mi).
• You will pass through Little River (108 mi).
• You will pass OR-31, the turnoff to Lakeview and Summer Lake Hot Springs (119 mi).
  Note: If you do not need gas or supplies, you can turn here for Lakeview
• Welcome to La Pine, OR (121 mi).

La Pine to Lakeview, OR
  Distance: 145 mi.
  Driving time: 4.5 hours

After fueling up in La Pine, you head east through Oregon on the second most desolate stretch of the trip. You pass through some wonderful country during the day and by night, well, have your windshield fluid topped off because you will pass through swarms of bugs that are unbelievable. Also, watch for animals on the roadway such as deers, cows and of course, skunks.

• Head south on US-97 to Turn onto OR-31 heading East (1.9 mi).
• You will pass through Shevlin (18.5 mi).
• You will pass through Silver Lake (49 mi).
  Note: Cowboy Dinner Tree is a great place for dinner.
  4 Miles south on Hager Mountain Road. Call (541) 576-2426
• You will pass through Summer Lake (71 mi).
• You will pass by Summer Lake Hot Springs (91 mi).
• You will pass through Paisley (100 mi).
• OR-31 becomes SR-395. (120 mi.)
• You also pass through Valley Falls (122 mi).
• Welcome to Lakeview, OR (145 mi).

Lakeview, OR to Cedarville, CA
  Distance: 65 mi.
  Driving time: 2 hours

Gas prices are on average 17 cents higher per gallon in California than Oregon. We highly recommend that you completely top off before leaving the state.

For about 30 miles after leaving Lakeview, you will pass by Goose Lake. When you hit CA-299, head east (it's a T in the road) and up and over the Cedarville Pass. If you need supplies, Alturas, CA is 6 miles south of the CA-299 junction. The Cedarville Pass is 6,305 ft and from the top of the pass to Cedarville is very steep and windy road. If you ride your brakes, they can easily overheat and catch fire. Also, beware of cows that congregate on the roadway halfway down.

• Welcome to California (10 mi).
• You will pass through New Pine Creek (14 mi).
• You will pass through Willow Ranch (21 mi).
• You will pass through Davis Creek (32.5 mi).
• You will pass through Surprise (44 mi).
• Turn east on CA-299 to Cedarville (47 mi).
• Take CA-299 to Cedarville.
  Along the way you cross the Cedar Pass (6,305 ft).
• Welcome to Cedarville, CA (65 mi).

Cedarville, CA to Gerlach, NV
  Distance: 83 mi.
  Driving time: 2.5 hours

This is the most desolate stretch of the journey. The only business along the way between Cedarville and Gerlach is Planet X Potter a few miles outside of Gerlach. There is almost no houses and I do not know if the ones along the route are occupied or not.

• Turn right at the gas station (after gassing up) and continue south to Gerlach on CA-447/Surprise Valley Road.
• You will pass through Eagleville (15 mi).
• In the distance to the left, you will see Middle Alkali and Lower Alkali Lake.
• The color of the road completely changes. Welcome to Nevada (23 mi).
• You will notice the lack of anything except hills and scrub bushes.
• You pass Planet X Pottery (73 mi).
• You arrive in Gerlach (83 mi).

Gerlach, to Burningman
  Distance: 11 mi.
  Driving time: 20 minutes

We can't emphasize this enough, when in Gerlach and the surrounding suburbs, drive below the speed limit. You will see more police officers in Gerlach than you saw during your entire journey. They have no problem writing tickets for any offense. However, it has been our experience that the officers will treat you with the same amount of respect that you show them. So our advice is to be courteous to the locals and participants alike. Remember, anything you do reflects on the festival as a whole.

• Head north from Gerlach to the fork in the road (1 mi).
• Veer right and continue on NV-34 (11 mi).
• On the right side of the road you should see the entrance of the festival. Follow the signs posted by Burningman staff to conclude the journey.

There will be directions on how to get to the festival from here. Follow the posted signs, drive below the speed limit and if you for some reason cannot find your way, stop at a bar and ask for directions. I highly recommend that you top off your tank before heading out to the festival.

Some final thoughts
If you are like me, you will find a way to lose your tickets and your directions. These directions at least can be printed out so you can take them with you. My advice is to tape them to the inside of the glove box in an envelope and leave them there.

When entering the festival, remember that all of the people you see working are volunteers. It might seem like they enjoy hassling you, but the truth is they are doing a miserable thankless task. If you were a really nice person (and we know you are) you would hand them a nice cold frosty beverage, a barter item or something to help break up the monotony of their job. It doesn't matter what time of day you come in the gates, think of the Greeters and the Gate people when you arrive and treat them the way you like to be treated. It is a good way to kick off the event.

The Journey Back
On the journey back home, how about taking a few minutes and walking along 447 and cleaning the road? Several volunteers have pledged to clean a mile of road. It's fairly easy, it takes very little time and you get to help clean up after more errant people that left some trash on the side of the road.

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