CHEYENNE - A Washington man who pleaded guilty to driving his pickup truck across fragile soil near a Yellowstone National Park geyser was sentenced to jail and fined Tuesday.

Adam Ray Elford, 22, of Vancouver, Wash., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen E. Cole in Mammoth Hot Springs to driving off-road, damaging park resources, having a loaded gun in his truck, improper food storage and driving on a suspended license.

"The judge said it was the worst, most egregious case of resource damage he's ever seen in the park," federal prosecutor Don White said. "The judge has been here in the park over 20 years."

Investigators said Elford and a companion drove a 2000 Toyota four-wheel-drive pickup around two barriers Oct. 10 and spun "doughnuts" on fragile soil known as sinter surrounding Lone Star Geyser south of Old Faithful before getting stuck.

Elford was given 90 days in jail, with all but 20 suspended. He was to begin his sentence Tuesday in the Big Horn County Jail in Basin.

Elford was fined $1,560 and ordered to pay restitution. Damage was initially estimated at $2,900, but Cole asked park officials for an updated estimate after the snow melts and said Elford would be responsible for the full amount. In addition, he was ordered to reimburse his court-appointed attorney and pay a towing bill of $380.

According to White, Elford and Austin B. Olsen, 19, of Battle Ground, Wash., removed a barrier, drove down a path reserved for hikers and bicyclists, removed another barrier, then drove into a meadow by crossing a thermal channel and steam vent about 100 yards from the geyser. The truck became mired in ruts 6 to 8 inches deep.

"He told the judge this is what they do all the time in Washington, drive around barriers," White said. "They saw one here so they decided to do the same."

The pair, unable to dislodge the truck, camped overnight, built a fire, shot a gun in the middle of the night to scare off any nearby bears, then in the morning asked tourists to help tow them out.

The tourists refused to tow the truck out but gave the two a ride to the ranger station at Old Faithful Village.

Olsen will face arraignment Thursday on charges of aiding and abetting off-road driving, injury of mineral resources and improper food storage.

Workers spent more than 80 hours trying to repair the damage before the snow fell.

"The judge said it will never be the same," White said.