By Andrew Rossi
Publication Date: 2026-06-08 18:14:00
Two German tourists had to call Big Horn County Search and Rescue (BCSAR) for help after Google Maps led them astray.
The tourists were were visiting the Medicine Wheel in the Bighorn Mountains when they decided to head to Shell on May 31, BCSAR reported Sunday. Instead of recommending U.S. Highway 14 either westbound or eastbound, Google Maps sent them down a backcountry road that blew out two of their tires.
The pair was evacuated by BCSAR volunteers on ATVs that evening, but their Jeep Compass was stuck in the mountains until the tires could be replaced.
“They were on a road that they shouldn’t have been in the car that they were driving,” said Adam Potter, owner of Big Horse Point S Towing in Greybull. “If you’re going to be in the Bighorns, don’t trust Google.”
Mission 26
This was BCSAR’s 26th mission so far in 2026. Potter wasn’t officially dispatched to rescue the German tourists when they got stuck, but he expected to be sent into the mountains at some point.
“I…