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Air Force bans 49er expedition from Area 51

A group of historians must alter its trip by as much as 40 miles to avoid a classified military base.

A party of history lovers wants to retrace the steps of gold seekers who marched along a treacherous route in 1849 to get to California.

But the Air Force isn't going to let them do it.

That's because the route they're taking _ the "Old Spanish Trail" _ winds through Groom Lake, where a classified military base known as Area 51 is reputed to exist.

"We've been chipping away at the Air Force to give us permission to enter for the past two years," said Jerry Freeman, a member of the 49er Expedition Team, "but they're adamant about not giving us clearance."

The Air Force's refusal to grant access to the Groom Lake area will force the group to alter their trip by 30 to 40 miles, and will undoubtedly have an effect on the group's effort to produce an educational video about the journey.

The trip begins in Enterprise, Utah, and ends in Death Valley, Calif.

The five-member expedition group begins its walking journey Saturday. The group comprises three school employees, a business owner and a welder.

They will follow the 375-mile trek of early pioneers who faced treacherous terrain and weather conditions throughout their journey as they headed west in search of gold. They are credited with giving Death Valley its name.

Tech. Sgt. James Brooks said Groom Lake, which is within the Nellis Air Force Range, is off-limits to civilians and open only to military officials.

"No permission has been granted for them to travel within the range," Brooks said.

The secrecy surrounding the site has led some observers to believe that the base is a center for UFO activity. The base is also known for its alleged top-secret military operations.

Yet, despite the area's reputation, military personnel continue to protect the area by refusing access to the public.

Freeman said he wasn't sure what was to be found within Area 51, but that the presence of historians and archaeologists, who would be escorting the group at times, was not enough to persuade military officials to grant access to the site.

The Bureau of Land Management has asked the group to report its findings, Freeman said.

And an arrangement is still being worked out with the Department of Energy to pass through the Nevada Test Site, once used for testing nuclear weapons. The government also protects the test site, but some public visitors are allowed to visit with supervision, said Greg Cook, spokesman for the department.

"We're doing our best to work something out so that they can get to the sites they need to," Cook said.

Freeman said the group is using journals, books and photographs to determine what they're looking for, such as grave sites, rock inscriptions detailing the journey and a possible wagon wheel.

"We're doing this for three reasons," Freeman said. "First, (the journey) hasn't been done by foot. Second, historians believe there are no remains of the (pioneers) available, but we think there are.

"And third, we want to bring honor to the women of that expedition who tended to ox and children along the way."