Historic tower in Death Valley damaged as person attempted to free vehicle from mud

Caroline Bleakley
·1 min read
22

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A person whose vehicle likely got stuck in some mud in Death Valley damaged a historic tower when a winch was used to pull the vehicle out of the mud. The National Park Service is now looking for that person.

The 113-year-old salt tram tower in Saline Valley was damaged and knocked down sometime between April 1 and April 24, according to NPS.

<em>The National Park Service said the Saline Valley Salt Tram tower in Death Valley was damaged after someone used it as an anchor to pull out a vehicle stuck in the mud. (Credit: NPS)</em>
The National Park Service said the Saline Valley Salt Tram tower in Death Valley was damaged after someone used it as an anchor to pull out a vehicle stuck in the mud. (Credit: NPS)

The Saline Valley Salt Company built the 13-mile aerial tram to transport salt from Saline Valley to Owens Valley in 1911. The tramway which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places climbed more than 7,000 feet at steep vertical grades.

“I have hiked along sections of this tramway, and am amazed by the tenacity it took to build,” said Superintendent Mike Reynolds. “I hope the person responsible for this damage will contact us so we can discuss restitution.”

Park rangers found vehicle tracks near Tram Tower 1 near the Saline Valley lakebed. The tracks showed the vehicle illegally drove off-road and got stuck in mud. Rangers believe someone used the tower as an anchor to pull the vehicle out of the mud.

Before this damage, the National Park Service had a project planned to stabilize the tram towers. It is not known yet if that money can be used to repair the tower.

Park rangers ask that anyone with information on this incident, contact the NPS tip line at 888-653-0009 or go to this link.

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