(CNN) — The US National Park Service has accused two men of getting lost and driving off-road in Death Valley National Park on July 4, resulting in one of them being hospitalized with a heat-related illness. The NPS stated that charges and fines are pending in a news release on Tuesday.
“Death Valley is a place that inspires awe and demands respect and preparedness,” stated Superintendent Mike Reynolds. “We urge visitors to exercise caution, follow park rules, and refrain from driving off established roads, as this not only damages the environment, but can also be deadly.”
The NPS release indicated that the individuals were using GPS for navigation but took a wrong turn in the park. After driving back and forth along a gravel road for several hours and fearing they would run out of gas, they decided to drive directly across the salt flat around midnight.
Unfortunately, their vehicle got stuck in the mud nearly a mile away from the road. They walked another mile to paved Badwater Road and continued walking for an additional 12 miles (19 kilometers) north, according to the Park Service.
At around 3 a.m., the two men separated. One of them was picked up by other visitors at 8 a.m. and taken to Furnace Creek to seek help. The lowest temperature recorded that night was 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius), as reported by the NPS.
The family who assisted the first man returned to find the second man and transported him to Shoshone, California, before he was taken by ambulance to Desert View Hospital in Pahrump, Nevada, showing signs of heat-related illness.
Deadly heat in Death Valley
The park has witnessed two potential heat-related deaths this summer. On July 3, a 65-year-old man was found dead inside his vehicle, while a 71-year-old man collapsed outside a restroom on July 18 as temperatures surpassed 120 F (50 C).
The NPS stated that the men involved in the July 4 incident will face a mandatory court appearance for illegal off-road driving and causing damage to the park. Charges and fines are currently pending.
“When vehicles drive off-road, they can harm plants and animals, including the desert tortoise, and often leave tracks that scar the desert for many years,” warned the NPS.
The men’s vehicle was removed on July 27 using a skid steer to minimize additional damage in the tracks created by their car.
Death Valley must: Road map
The National Park Service reminds visitors that there is limited cell service in most parts of the park, and GPS navigation may be unreliable in remote areas like Death Valley. Travelers are advised to carry an up-to-date road map.
With nearly 1,000 miles of paved and dirt roads, Death Valley is the largest national park in the United States outside of Alaska. During summer heat, it is safest to stick to the paved roads, according to the Park Service.
The park’s website currently warns visitors about extreme summer heat, with temperatures ranging from 110°F to 120°F+ (43°C to 49°C+). It advises travelers to drink plenty of water, avoid hiking, and be prepared to seek immediate help in case of heat-related illness.
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