Lol, hiking on a sand trail is illegal! Public lands are obviously only legal when on designated trails, not on obvious trails on public lands!
Dry climates, the vegetation is more susceptible to damage and the soil to erosion. The park/monument likely determined that people were damaging the area and they created durable pathways. Genius decided that wasn't for him and he and his dog and woman wandered off on their own to where the park/monument was trying to rehabilitate that sand path.
All the ranger wanted was for them to get back on the authorized pathway. Genius tried to walk off several times. All he had to do was go back to the pathway. When genius tried to wander off, ranger correctly went from good host to enforcement, either warning or citation. Genius kept choosing harsher consequences.
There are different classifications of public land. Some are protected more than others. The managers of each property are compelled to protect the property from damage. What that means is determined by the classification. You guys darn well know that just because a property is public land doesn't mean the public can go where ever they want on every property. For instance, the White House is built on public property, but the public can't wander around the rose garden without permission and likely an escort. Some BLM land, you might be able to do much much more.
