Tourists following GPS systems are getting stuck in muddy, washed-out California roads

Don’t follow your GPS onto a muddy, washed-out road, California park rangers warn.

Monsoonal storms and flash floods have damaged roads in the Mojave National Preserve, park officials said, creating a hazardous mess for people who rely on their GPS.

“Drivers seeking short cuts or bypasses on secondary paved roads will likely encounter closures or hazardous road conditions including rocks and gravel, pavement undercutting, steep shoulder drop-offs, and flooded washes,” park officials said in an Aug. 31 news release.

Many roads aren’t suitable for cars, and in some cases, cars have sunk into the ground on the roads.

Recently, a driver followed a mapping service and was stranded in a wash. No one was injured, but the car had to be abandoned and towed later on.

“Inclement weather that may wreak havoc on an interstate, will likely cause similar or more damage to secondary roads such as those in the Preserve,” officials said.

Park officials said travelers should stay up-to-date on road conditions from the National Park Service and Caltrans, and not rely on GPS systems.

Monsoonal storms happen during the summer months in the California desert, according to the National Park Service. The large amount of rain happens during a short period of time, causing flash floods.

Roads have been closed after they were covered with rock, sand and debris, park officials said.

On Thursday, Aug. 25, more than 2 inches of rain fell in the Hole-in-the-Wall area and washed-out large parts of the road. A group of campers was stranded in the preserve.

“Travelers should not bypass road closures, even if GPS mapping services indicate that roads may be open,” officials said. “Do not drive into flooded areas, turn around, don’t drown.”

The Mojave National Preserve encompasses 1.6 million acres in the southern California desert. It’s the third-largest unit in the National Park Service within the contiguous United States.

This story was originally published September 1, 2022 at 9:43 AM with the headline "Tourists following GPS systems are getting stuck in muddy, washed-out California roads."