A historic tower in Death Valley National Park was toppled when a driver used it to free their stuck vehicle, causing damage to the 110-year-old structure. The tower was part of the Saline Valley Salt Tram, which was built in 1911 to transport salt from Saline Valley to Owens Valley. The tramway is considered nationally significant due to its age, length, steepness, preservation, and scenic setting. The tower that was damaged is one of only four located within the national park, with the majority of the tramway situated on Bureau of Land Management territory. Prior to the incident, a stabilization project for the tram was planned, but it is unclear if the funding allocated for this project can be used to repair the toppled tower.
The damage to the historic tower occurred when a driver drove off the legal roadway and became stuck in deep mud. Tracks indicated that the driver used the tower as an anchor to extract their vehicle, causing the structure to topple and pull its concrete footings out of the ground. Superintendent Mike Reynolds expressed hope that the responsible party would come forward to discuss restitution for the damage caused. The incident has prompted rangers to warn others about the dangers of using historical structures for vehicle recovery and to urge anyone with information about the incident to contact the National Park Service.
The Saline Valley Salt Tram was a significant engineering feat in its time, requiring the construction of a 13-mile-long aerial tram that climbed over 7,000 vertical feet at steep grades of up to 40 degrees. The project involved the use of 1 million board feet of lumber and 600 tons of iron to complete. The tramway is listed among the National Register of Historic Places due to its historical significance and unique characteristics. The damaged tower is located closest to the Saline Valley lakebed, and its collapse has raised concerns about the preservation of this important historical structure.
Efforts were underway to stabilize the salt tram using funding from the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act prior to the incident. However, it is uncertain whether these funds can now be used to repair the damage caused by the collapsed tower. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving historical structures and landmarks within national parks and the need for responsible behavior when navigating these sensitive areas. The National Park Service has asked for assistance from the public in identifying the individual responsible for the destruction of the tower and urged others to respect and protect the unique history and natural beauty of Death Valley National Park.
