This sedan became stuck in the salt flats at Death Valley after its driver left established roads/NPS

Apparently lost while trying to follow GPS directions, two men in a sedan tried to cut across a salt flat in Death Valley National Park, only to strand their car in the flat and land one of the two in a hospital suffering from the heat. The event, back on the Fourth of July, also led to a court appearance for the two for driving off-road and damaging the salt flat.

According to a park release, the two got lost while navigating by GPS. They took a wrong turn onto West Side Road, and drove back and forth on the gravel road for about three hours. Around midnight, they became concerned about running out of gas, and decided to drive directly across the salt flat to Badwater Road. Driving off-road is illegal in Death Valley. In this case, it could have cost their lives, the release said. 

Their vehicle got stuck in mud nearly a mile after they left West Side Road. They walked about a mile to Badwater Road, then 12 miles north along the paved road. They split up around 3 a.m. One man walked another 6 miles north and was picked up by other park visitors around 8 a.m. They drove him to Furnace Creek, where he was able to call for help.  

The same family that picked up the first man then drove back to pick up the second man. They drove him to Shoshone, California. He had symptoms of heat illness and was transported by ambulance to Desert View Hospital in Pahrump, Nevada. The lowest temperature that evening was 90°F. 

Charges and fines against the two are pending. Their vehicle, meanwhile, remained stuck in the salt flat for three weeks until a towing company was able to remove the vehicle last Thursday. 

“Death Valley is an awe-inspiring place that demands our utmost respect and preparedness,” said Superintendent Mike Reynolds “We urge visitors to exercise caution and adhere to park rules. Don’t drive off established roads; this damages the environment and can turn deadly.” 

The incident serves as a reminder to have a plan and be prepared before traveling to remote locations like Death Valley National Park, the park release noted. GPS navigation can be unreliable. There is no cell phone service in most of the park. Visitors should travel with an up-to-date road map. It is safest to stay on paved roads during the summer heat. 

Driving off road is illegal within Death Valley National Park. Vehicles that drive off road can harm plants and animals —such as the desert tortoise— and often leave tracks that can scar the desert for decades.