From: psychospy@ping.com
Subject: Freedom Ridge (Groom Lake) Picnic Jan. 21
Date: January 1, 1995

[Supplement to the Groom Lake Desert Rat.] 

Everyone in the world is invited to...

THE SECOND ANNUAL COULD-BE-CLOSED-ANY-DAY-NOW FREEDOM RIDGE 
PICNIC.

Taking place SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1995, starting at 11:00 am (or 
whenever you arrive).

Come, bring your lawn chairs, binoculars and picnic lunch. Watch 
the secret base just sit there. Freedom Ridge is a hill, still on 
public land, overlooking the "nonexistent" GROOM LAKE AIR BASE 
featured in recent national newscasts and the LARRY KING UFO 
SPECIAL. Although you can visit the Ridge at any time (until the 
land is closed), here is a chance to do it as a communal 
experience.

This event is not to be confused with the "Freedom Ridge End-of- 
the-World Party," which will be held only when we have a formal 
closing date. The Air Force is seeking legal control of this land 
to keep visitors off. Last year at this time, we gathered for our 
first "Could-Be-Closed-Any-Day-Now Freedom Ridge Picnic," 
expecting it to be our last chance to see the base. The land is 
still open, however, thanks to the many federal procedures the Air 
Force itself must follow to obtain it. At this event, we will 
relive old times and celebrate the wonders of bureaucracy. 

DISCLAIMER

This is a loosely organized get-together of interested citizens. 
There is no schedule of events and people can do whatever they 
want as long as they obey the law. The organizers of this picnic 
accept no liability whatsoever for any loss or injury. You are 
responsible for your own safety and for understanding the rules 
and risks of the place you are visiting. Below we have tried our 
best to give you the information you'll need to enjoy this event 
safely.

GENERAL PLAN

We will meet at 11 am (Pacific Time) at the Freedom Ridge 
trailhead. (See directions below.) After a briefing, we will 
proceed to the top by foot or four wheel drive. Stragglers can 
hike up on their own on a well marked trail when they arrive. At 
the top, we'll sit around in our lawn chairs, roast wieners over 
the fire and debate the Meaning ot Life. 

UFOs and Secret Aircraft are not guaranteed and probably won't 
appear.

LOCATION

Freedom Ridge is a hill on public land next to the border of the 
Nellis Air Force Range about 12 miles west of the Groom Lake air 
base. The base can be plainly seen in the distance, but you will 
need binoculars or a telescope for the best view. 

The location is about 140 road miles north of Las Vegas. The 
nearest towns are Rachel and Alamo. The terrain is scrub desert at 
an elevation of 5000 feet. Due to the altitude, patchy snow cover 
is possible in January, with daytime highs in the 40s or 50s. 
Weather is usually good, but there is a chance that rain, snow or 
wind will mar the event. (It will proceed regardless.) Heavy 
winter clothing, including hat, gloves and thermal underwear 
should be brought in case they are needed. 

The summit of Freedom Ridge can be reached by a moderately 
challenging 50-minute hike from a well-maintained dirt road. The 
trail is marked by yellow ribbons tied around Joshua trees. Any 
vehicle can easily make it to the trailhead. The summit can also 
be reached by a very rugged four wheel drive road taking a 
different route, which will also be marked. 

HOW TO GET THERE

The Freedom Ridge trailhead is about 2-1/2 hours north of Las 
Vegas (or 2-1/2 hours east of Tonopah). From Las Vegas, go north 
on I-15 about 20 miles to US-93 at Exit 64. Go north on US-93 
about 85 miles to SR-375. Take SR-375 (not SR-318) west 15 miles 
until you reach the big dirt road to Groom Lake at milepost 34.6. 
(It is marked by a stop sign and maybe also a "THIS WAY TO SECRET 
BASE" sign.) This is a good dirt road that any car can handle. 
Take the dirt road west 13.6 miles until you see our cars parked 
beside a "Keep Right" sign. DO NOT DRIVE PAST THE WELL-MARKED 
MILITARY BORDER JUST BEYOND. Try to park off the road or as far to 
the right as you can.

[For those who want to visit Freedom Ridge on another day, the 
parking location is beside a "Keep Right" sign about 0.1 mile 
before the border. Cross the road to find the yellow ribbons tied 
around Joshua trees, and follow them. Do not cross the border 
marked by orange posts or any new "Restricted Area" sign. To avoid 
wandering across the border, do not hike at night. Security guards 
will watch you but will avoid contact unless you cross the border. 
Report any incidents to the event coordinator below.] 

The best place to shop for supplies is Las Vegas. (Try Sahara Ave. 
west of I-15.) Gas up there, too. There are no gas or groceries 
between Las Vegas and Alamo. Last gas before Freedom Ridge is at 
Ash Springs (or Rachel).

OPTIONS

People can feel free to come and go on any schedule they choose, 
and the event will disperse whenever people decide to leave. For 
those who cannot arrive by 11 am, our cars will be easy to find 
and the trail is clearly marked. Look for instructions posted on 
one of the cars.

This is intended as a day trip, since it is too cold for casual 
camping (low of 10-30 degrees F). Those who feel comfortable with 
"polar bear" camping can try spending the night. (We recommend 
using two or three sleeping bags inside each other, plus a ground 
cover.) Camping and campfires are allowed almost anywhere on the 
public land outside the military border, including Freedom Ridge. 
Motels are available in Rachel or Alamo (Rooms are limited so 
reservations are essential.), but you can just as easily return to 
Las Vegas.

RISKS

-- The greatest danger in this area is wandering across the well- 
guarded military border, which is immediately adjacent to Freedom 
Ridge and the hiking trail. The border is marked by orange posts 
every 50 yards and stainless steel balls on posts every quarter 
mile. There is no fence. Wherever a road crosses the border, it is 
marked by clear Restricted Area signs but no gate or guard house.

People who are caught on the other side of the border are 
immediately detained. A fine of $600 is usual, and you will have 
to reappear in court if you want the fine reduced. 

-- Gas is available at only a few widely separated locations: Las 
Vegas, Alamo, Ash Springs and Rachel. Be sure to approach the area 
with a full tank of gas. The Ash Springs gas station is open 24 
hours. Rachel's is open only 7am-7pm. 

-- Cars can easily get stuck in the sand or on rocks on 
unmaintained dirt roads. Stay on the maintained dirt road unless 
you have a four wheel drive.

-- The 50-minute, 1-mile hike can be moderately challenging, but 
shouldn't be much trouble for most people. The vertical distance 
traveled is only about 500 feet, but the altitude makes it more 
tiring than at sea level. People who are seriously out of shape 
should think twice about hiking.

-- When driving in this area, cattle in the road are a serious 
danger. Cattle are unfenced and wander freely across the highway. 
Drive slowly at night. If you hit a cow, you are required by law 
to report it to the Sheriff or rancher.

BRING

-- Binoculars or a telescope are important for viewing the base. 
There is no legal limit to size and magnification. 

-- Wieners and buns will be provided for roasting over the fire, 
but you should bring your own drinks and a backup lunch in case 
the wieners run out. If you come at 11 am, there will be four 
wheel drives available to transport your lunch to the top; 
otherwise, you should be prepared to carry it yourself. 

-- Bring folding lawn chairs if you have them. 

SANITATION

"Powder room" opportunities will be limited. A primitive latrine 
will be erected at the summit of Freedom Ridge, but it won't be 
pretty. The gentlemen shouldn't have much difficulty finding 
discrete locations, but the ladies must plan ahead and take 
advantage of their opportunities. Away from the ridge, all of 
Nevada is at your disposal.

EXPECTATIONS

Some people may be disappointed by the view from Freedom Ridge. 
What you see in the distance appears to be an ordinary Air Force 
base--albeit a very large one--beside a dry lake bed. No flying 
saucers or underground cities are evident. On weekends, the base 
is usually very quiet, with little aircraft or vehicle traffic. 
The main satisfaction is derived from the fact that this base 
"isn't there" officially. The best viewing time is in the morning, 
when the sun is behind you.

SECURITY

The border area is actively patrolled by an anonymous force of 
security guards wearing camouflage fatigues and driving white Jeep 
Cherokees. These "Cammo Dudes" watch Freedom Ridge with high power 
binoculars and video cameras that are capable of reading car 
license plates from a mile away. These guards are under orders to 
avoid contact with visitors (unless you cross the border). If they 
feel you have violated a law on public land, they will call the 
Lincoln County Sheriff to investigate. In this open terrain, the 
Sheriff can be seen coming from miles away. 

The radio frequencies for the Sheriff are 154.86 and 155.77 MHz. 
The radio frequencies for the security patrols are usually 
scrambled; they include 418.05, 408.4, 142.2, 170.5 and 138.3. 
Groom Lake aircraft frequencies are: 120.35, 127.65, 118.45 and 
261.1.

Be aware that the security patrols may record your license plate 
numbers and run them for identification. 

FREE-SPEECH PROTEST (OPTIONAL)

According to a 1948 federal law (18 USC 795), it is illegal to 
take or publish photographs of any military installation 
designated by the President as requiring such protection--but 
since the base does not officially exist it is hard to say what 
should or should not be photographed. No one has ever been 
prosecuted for taking pictures of the base, but the 1948 law has 
been used by the local Sheriff's Dept. to confiscate film from 
visitors. Regardless of what the film contains, it "vanishes" into 
Air Force hands and is never returned. 

To protest the arbitrary seizing of film from visitors and the 
withholding of it without due process, we will be conducting a 
"Freedom Ridge Camera and Video Show" to coincide with the picnic. 
Participants are invited to bring cameras and display them proudly 
on the ridge. The "cameras" do not have to be functional or real, 
and to avoid the charge of inciting a federal crime, we cannot 
recommend that you bring film or video tape. 

Your "camera" should be displayed only in the company of the 
group, since our strength lies in numbers. If, by chance, you are 
stopped by the Sheriff and are asked any question about 
photography, you should politely decline to provide any 
information and should not turn over any of your property without 
a warrant. You also should not reveal to your fellow visitors 
whether or not you have film in your camera, since there could be 
spies among us. (They're invited, too!)

This is the second such "Freedom Ridge Camera and Video Show." For 
the first, last August, the authorities kept their distance 
(except for a pleasant BLM ranger in a Smoky Bear hat), and there 
was no confrontation. This time, we'll have to try harder. 

COURTESIES

-- Stay away from the rancher's compound. -- Do not litter.
-- Do not bring drugs or any other illegal substances. -- Firearms 
are discouraged.
-- Obey the speed limit and other commonsense laws, especially 
within Lincoln County.
-- Respect the land.
-- Do not steal the Restricted Area signs. -- Do not taunt or moon 
the Cammo Dudes. 

ACCOMMODATIONS

If you plan to spend a night in Las Vegas en route, be aware that 
rooms in the city itself can be expensive and hard to find on 
weekends. We recommend staying outside the city in one of the big 
casino hotels at Stateline or Jean. Try Prima Donna (Exit 1 on I- 
15) at 800-367-7383 or Nevada Landing (Exit 12 on I-15) at 800- 
628-6682. Both are about $32 on Friday & Saturday nights and $18 
on other nights.

Locally, the Little A-Le-Inn in Rachel has a limited number of 
rooms. Call 702-729-2515. In Alamo, the Meadow Lane Motel and 
Alamo Motel can both be reached at 702-725-3371. Rates here are 
$25-$35.

VIEWER'S GUIDE

Detailed information on the area can be found in the "Area 51 
Viewer's Guide." This 110-page visitor's guide includes maps, 
milepost logs, reference list, equipment advice and other 
information useful to travelers and researchers. It is available 
for $15 plus $3.50 priority mail postage from: Area 51 Research 
Center, HCR Box 38, Rachel, NV 89001. If time is short, it can 
also be ordered by telephone from the Event Coordinator. 

FINAL

If this document doesn't answer your questions, feel free to email 
psychospy@aol.com or contact the Event Coordinator, Glenn 
Campbell, at 702-729-2648. (Only collect calls can be returned.) 

Feel free to copy this document and post it or send it to whomever 
you wish.

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