This should have been a fine, no more than $500, and never made it to court. I agree with this pardon, but its not the first Trump pardon I agree with.
Its the National Park Service's mandate to manage the national parks. They should create a system of permitting to allow limited access to this area for things such as record attempts. This is a very different situation than some day hiker hanging out in a restricted area and damaging fragile ecosystems. "No access, whatsoever" is not good management - our public servants should not take the lazy approach to conservation just because its easy.
Yes, I agree that a modest fine would have been more appropriate, and that their should be a process available to apply for a waivers to allow limited access for certain exceptional events.
I'd say a fine or an option to do some kind of community service in lieu of that.
