Two vehicles drove off road in Death Valley National Park and got stuck. One got stuck trying to retrieve the first. All drivers involved have been cited, received mandatory court appearances, and could face jail time for their part in the whole ridiculous matter. According to the National Parks Services, on December 22, two men drove a rented Porsche Macan on a muddy path, and got stuck 200 yards away from the road heading toward the salt flat. The men then hired a truck to tow them out, and the truck also got stuck.
When the Porsche got stuck, park rangers instructed the men that NPS staff would need to be on hand to monitor the extraction, as removing stuck cars can cause further damage to the environment. Going against instruction, the men hired a passerby with a truck to attempt removing the Porsche.
The Porsche was able to be removed by the professional extraction team after digging it out and laying down traction boards. The big Ram truck, however, required winching, and took a couple of days to retrieve.
“Vehicles driving off roads can damage fragile ecosystems and damage archeological sites” said Superintendent Mike Reynolds. “They also impact the experience of other park visitors. People want to take photographs of the park’s beautiful landscapes without car tracks in the picture, which can last for many years.”
Driving off the prescribed roads in a national park is a huge no-no. Not only is it unsightly, it can damage local vegetation, wildlife, water quality, and potentially cultural and historical sites. It is extremely illegal to drive off road within Death Valley National Park, where a guilty charge can come with up to a $5,000 fine, or up to six months in jail.