BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

NPS seeks visitor responsible for damaging Death Valley structure

The Saline Valley Salt Tram tower in Death Valley prior to being damaged. (Credit: NPS)

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241114185800

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241115200405

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118165728

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118184948

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The 113-year-old piece of Death Valley history was damaged last month, and National Park officials are asking for the public’s help finding the person responsible.

Officials say it appears a driver went off road in Saline Valley between April 1 and 24 and used an old salt tram tower to help pull the vehicle free from mud. Photos show the structure left toppled and resting on its side.

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. 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.

West

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241119133138

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Cloudy

la

60°F Cloudy Feels like 59°
Wind
6 mph S
Humidity
84%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.
52°F Considerable cloudiness. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
2 mph WSW
Precip
22%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waning Crescent