Where the Gathering will be in 2004

Next year the North American Rainbow Gathering (hence referred to as the Gathering) will once again be in the Great Basin states of North America. (Utah, Nevada, California). from July 1 - July 7. Quick directions are: Take Highway 150 out of Evanston, Wym to FS 058. Take 058 over the newly melted out Elizabeth Pass. Go 2.5 miles past the summit to the Rainbow rock cairns and streamers. This link takes you to the Topozone map of the site. You can get to an aerial photo from this link. For a few more images, here's a3D image of the site, and here's a GPS map of the roads, and the main trail. Main circle is at N 40 57.786 W 110 38.395. (thanks to Vaughn and Lillia Palmer of Mt View for this GPS info)

Directions from the East:Take I-80 and get off at Lyman, 414, or Ft. Bridger, any of these 3 exits work. Take 414 south to Mountain View. From Mountain View take 410 approximately 12 1/2 miles. Turn onto a gravel road marked 208. Take 208 approximately 12 miles to a fork, bear right onto FS Road 058. Follow 058 approximately 12 miles then turn right onto FS Road 307. After about 6 of the 12 miles, you will come to a fork in the road by the shuttle parking lots. Please use the shuttle parking, as space is limited at Welcome Home. Welcome Home & Bus Village are another 6 miles to FS 307. FS 307 (called Cut Trout Rd by the locals) is unmarked, but there will be Rainbow sign and Welcome Home.

Directions from the West:Take I-84 through Ogden, Utah to Hwy.80 East Continue on 80 through Evanston, Wy. to exit 34. Go through Fort Bridger, Wy to Rd. 410. Go through Mt. View, Wy and turn west towards Robertson, WY. Continue west to Rd. 271 and go south for 12 miles towards Meeks Cabin Res. Rd. 271 becomes 058, as you enter into Utah Go 6 miles, take a right fork. The shuttle parking lot is in this area. Because there is limited parking at Welcome Home, plese use the shuttle parking lot. To get to Welcome Home & Bus Village, go approx. 5 miles on Rd 058 to Rd. 307 or Cutthroat Rd Follow the Rainbow signs.

You can also take highway 150 south out of Evanston to Rd 058. Then take 058 over Elizabeth Pass, and then 2.5 miles to Welcome Home. This route is a rocky dirt road over a high mountain pass, but it's being suggested as the western route to cut back on traffic coming in from the East.

Note: FS 271 was previously listed as FS 208!

Alternate directions:A long time Utah local sent these alternate directions for those that like the back roads. A travel advisory for those approaching the gathering area from the south or east... when your route plan happens to traverse US Hwy 40. Rather than go the long way round by continuing west to hook up with Interstate 80, you can get to the gathering through the forest, from south to north. Here's how: On US Hwy 40 westbound, between Duchesne and Fruitland, turn north on State Hwy 271 to Tabiona. Then turn west on State Hwy 35. Continue until Soapstone Basin Road ( USFS 037). Go north here until you link up with State Hwy 150. Turn right, or north. Go past Mirror Lake until the USFS 058. Turn east... look for signs. This will save having to go as far as Kamas to get on State Hwy 150, or worse, having to go clear to Silver Creek Junction on US 40 in order to get on I-80. My way you save about 100 gas miles. Happy Rainbow motoring!

If I had to pick a city for air or bus connections, I'd head towards Salt Lake. I've been told there are bus stops in Lyman and Mt View, Wyoming, althought Evanston might be easier to get a ride to. Depending on your other ground transportation arrangements, there are other airports in both Wyoming and Idaho, since this are is very close to the border.

Ignore all rumors of cancellation or organization! Live Lightly with the Land and People!

Against the wishes of most everyone, a permit was signed with the Forest Service. Most Rainbows believe we have a constitutional right to peaceable assembly on public land. As a Rainbow Gathering is truly a "Gathering of the Tribes", all are equal, and hence, there can be no leaders. What is really strange about the permit is that although it was granted as an "individual use permit", it's been applied by the Forest Service to all of us attending the gathering. How would you feel if somebody signed away your your civil rights without even asking you ? It's things like our right to peaceably assemble that has made America into the country it is.

As a note, regardless of the permit, Law Enforcement personal are overly abundant. All cars parked on either FS 058 or FS 307 (Cut Trout Rd) are being ticketed and towed. There is a walk in from the Lyman Lake shuttle lots, as well as shuttle vehicles to the main trail at Welcome Home.

Regardless of the politics of the issue, let's try not to loose sight of what it takes to have a healthy & safe gathering. Drive safe. Happy Trails !

Happenings at the Gathering

There are many wonderful things that happen at a gathering, but I'll list a few highlights. Remember the concept of "Rainbow Time", and that any semi-scheduled event will start when it starts, and not necessarily by the clock.

For more information Rainbow Gatherings, here are some more documents.

Other Sources of Information

Now that it's Spring Time, the Forest Service is cranking up their disinformation propoganda machine. While the USFS tries heavily to freak out the locals about the coming Gathering, usually the result is no where as bad as they try to lead folks to believe. Here's a few general media articles looking back on things from the perspective of a year later.

Ride Shares

Last updated June 22, 2003