
So you want to go to Area 51.
A few things to keep in mind:
* It's a long drive through the middle of nowhere. Gas up first and take plenty of water.
* You don't need a four-wheel-drive vehicle, but the road to Area 51 is gravel, so keep that in mind.
* Allow about two hours one way from Las Vegas to Rachel, Nevada.
* DO NOT cross the border into the Area 51 buffer zone unless you're prepared to be detained and fined.
* Watch out for cows (and other critters) on the open roads and respect the property and privacy of the citizens around the area.
* If you leave your vehicle to hike near the area, stay aware of the base boundary at all times. It's easy to get lost and accidentally cross onto base property, in which case you will be detained and fined.
* If you're planning to shoot pictures, use film with a low number of exposures, such as 12 exposures per roll. Shoot fast and hide your film on your person--you're less likely to be searched than your vehicle. Have a few "dummy" canisters of unshot or worthless film that you can grudgingly surrender if pressed, hanging onto your real film.
* Above all, remember your constitutional rights. No one can detain you or search you or your vehicle without probable cause and a warrant. Your tax dollars fund Area 51 and pay the salaries for those who want to keep it a secret.
To reach Area 51 from Las Vegas:
Take Interstate 15 north out of Vegas to state highway 93.
Follow 93 north through Alamo and Ash Springs. Shortly after Ash Springs, watch for state highway 375.
Take 375 east/north toward Rachel. If you want to go to Rachel (the nearest town to Area 51), continue past the black mailbox. If you're just interested in Area 51, keep an eye out for the black mailbox as you descend from Hancock Summit.
The black mailbox is near mile marker 29 (it's the only mailbox for miles, so if you see a mailbox, that's the one). Turn onto the dirt road at the black mailbox.
Follow this dirt road for about 4 miles. You'll see a water tank, a small knoll and some sorting pens. Immediately after passing this area, the road forks in three directions: take the middle path for just under a mile until you come to another well-groomed dirt road leading off to the right, which will be Groom Lake Road.
Turn right onto Groom Lake Road (and pay attention to the way you're going in so you can find your way out again). Follow this road for about 8 miles to the boundary of the base.
Take care not to cross the boundary, as it is not fenced off, only marked by signs. Going past the signs is considered trespassing on a restricted government military installation and carries a $600 fine.
Nevada Highway 375 has been designated by the Nevada State Transportation Board as the Extraterrestrial Highway.
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