This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Black Rock Deseert, Nev. • Thousands of Burning Man enthusiasts are on the outside looking in after a rare batch of heavy rain forced organizers to temporarily close entry to the counterculture event in the desert 90 miles north of Reno.
Bureau of Land Management dispatcher Mike Wilke told the Reno Gazette-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/lkajkks) standing water turned the playa into a muddy mess Monday morning. Numerous vehicles were stuck and northbound traffic on State Highway 447 was being turned back toward Reno.
Organizers say the event will remain closed through Monday and possibly into Tuesday.
Several hundred people who entered the gates during Sunday's opening were being told to remain in place at their camps.
Last year, a record 68,000 people attended the event that runs through the Labor Day weekend in the Black Rock Desert.
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Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com