SAR Called Out After “Road Closed” Signs Ignored
Written by Andrew-Rossi on May 3, 2018
Two people found out the hard way that when the signs say that Beartooth Highway is closed, it’s closed for a reason.
On Tuesday, May 1st, two visitors attempting to get to the Northeast Gate of Yellowstone National Park had to be rescued by Park County Search and Rescue after they ignored the posted “Road Closed” signs and became stuck in deep snow.
The incident happened about a mile northwest of the Pilot Creek parking area, west of the intersection of the Chief Joseph Highway. 60-year-old John Elmore Jr. of Los Angeles, California and his father, 85-year-old John Elmore Sr. from Nashville, Indiana, were following directions from their GPS device when they became stuck in about a foot of snow on the highway.
The two told Search and Rescue workers that despite passing at least two “Road Closed” signs prior to becoming stuck, their GPS navigation system told them the road was open, so they continued around the signs.
Search and Rescue volunteers deployed two ground teams equipped with snowmobiles to search the area, and with the assistance of a local resident, were able to tow the victims back onto the pavement using a 4-wheel drive pickup equipped with tire chains. The victims were unharmed and decided to take another route into the park.
Sheriff Scott Steward reminded residents and visitors that while the road at the location of the closed signs may look clear and dry, conditions can change rapidly. He added that those signs should not be ignored, even if your electronic navigation device indicates otherwise.
