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Around 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning, a 3 year old little girl was hit by a buggy near one of the finger dunes in the camp area. It was a hit and run. Life flight was called out and she was transported. Update 10/30/2016: Little Regan is recovering. Posted via her father on our Facebook page, "My daughter is doing well. She suffered a 5 inch laceration from the bridge of her nose up to the top of her forehead just below her hair line, A small gash to the right side of her head, some minor cuts to her right arm and possibly going to have some bruising. Thank god she did not have any internal injuries or anything life threatening. This could have been so much worse." Medical Fundraiser A Go Fund Me page has been set up by the grandmother to help the family with medical expenses. https://www.gofundme.com/reagan-bostwick-medical-fund-raiser

Over MLK Weekend, little Keven was spooked by fireworks and ended up running off and getting lost. Her owners looked all over for her with no luck. Word quickly spread on social media and the forums, but she was still nowhere to be found. The following weekend, DDR members who were headed out kept an eye out for her hoping she would show up. There was no sign of her though. Two weeks later, a couple duners were pulling into Dumont and spotted a little white dog on the side of the road. It was her! She was frightened and wouldn't even come towards them when they tossed treats to her. She began running towards the highway but they managed to steer her towards the camps. She ran up to one of the first camps at the top of the hill and hid under their trailer. When everyone found out it was the little white Poodle/ Maltese mix dog that went missing two weeks earlier, they were all shocked. She was skin and bones and had to be starving. It's a miracle she was able to endure the freezing temperatures and predatory coyotes. They called the owner and took good care of little Keven until she was able to drive out and pick her up. It's always good to hear outcomes like this. It's proof you should never give up! Congrats to Yessica on finding her little fur baby.

The 20/21 dune season has finally come to a close. It was an interesting season for sure with the COVID and all. More so this season than ever were the dunes the perfect escape to normal for many people. It was one of the only outlets for recreation or getting out of the house and not feeling the pressures from the pandemic. No matter what is going on in the world, pandemic or not, Dumont always offers solitude and the perfect setting to turn your brain off. If that's not what your after, it's also the perfect place to party and go nuts with limited impact on others. Regardless of the type of dune trip you are after, I think we can all admit Dumont is great "reset" that all of our brains need from time to time. I hope everyone found that reset on every trip you managed to squeeze in this season. Although the season is over, we all still manage to get out and enjoy some part of the outdoors. So don't be a stranger. Pop in on the forum and let us know what you are up to. We don't shut the site down during the off-season, so please utilize it to keep it alive and fresh. Many people have turned to social media these days and we get it. It's easy and convenient, but please keep in mind we do this for the community and love you guys. Show us some support and we'll see you in the sand in October!

Over the last two decades, there has been talk of getting some daily drags going at Dumont similar to what Glamis does. For those of you that aren't familiar with the Glamis drags, every day (usually Friday or Saturday late afternoon or just before sunset) hundreds of duners line up to mostly watch, but also participate in a rolling start style drag race near Gecko Road. It's completely informal but the turnout hasn't skipped a beat for decades. There's no flyer. There's no schedule. There's no post on the internet. It's just what happens. Glamis Drags near Gecko Road So as of New Years weekend, Dumont has attempted to revive a tradition that has never quite stuck. It's small, but it's a start... or another beginning we might say. Duners who have an itch to line up and give it their all are starting to line up on the back stretch of the sand highway between Comp and the North Pole. So far it's a small turnout, but it has happened more than once and it's been successful. The fastest sandcars, side x sides, bikes, or whatever it is, might be back there ready to claim some bragging rights. The next time you are at Dumont, especially on a holiday weekend, cruise back there to see if it's going on. Line up and hang out. That's what most people do at Dumont lately right? It's has started around 3PM and goes until sun down. Just don't forget to play it safe and be aware of those around you in the dunes. This is a new thing to most duners at Dumont so keep that in mind when reaching fast speeds in an area where there's usually nothing happening. Have fun and be safe. article feature image/ capture from Lindsay Stewart/ Facebook- Dumont Dune Riders Group

With dune season approaching during this COVID-19 pandemic, questions are on the rise as well as the rumors. Everyone is eager to get back out to the sand and they're gearing up for Halloween weekend. But many of you have concerns. Will Dumont be open? Will there be a Vendor Row? Some people heard rumors that Dumont is closed for Halloween. We spoke with the BLM and they confirmed Dumont is still open. Dumont passes: You can soon buy your season pass from vendors who sell them. The passes are being distributed to them this month (Sept). You can find a list of those vendors on our passes page. Weekly passes can be purchased on site via the fee machines with a credit card. Although the Barstow public room is remains closed to the public, a telephone message can be left at 760-252-6000 stating desire to purchase a pass and the telephone call will be returned with a credit card payment accepted. Another option is to mail request with payment via check to BLM Barstow Field Office, 2601 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311. Vendor Row Update: There will be NO FOOD VENDORS since the San Bernardino County Health Department is not allowing or issuing food vending permits at this time. Social distancing will be strictly enforced. Vendor row will be reconfigured from what you are used to seeing to allow for social distancing. Camp Responsibly: This includes staying home if you don't feel well, recreating/camping with only your household members, practicing social distancing by maintaining at least 6 feet of space between you and others using the site, regularly disinfecting frequently touch items, not sharing equipment unless it has been disinfected between users, and washing hands regularly/using hand sanitizer. There is plenty of space at Dumont for folks to stay socially distanced. This is very important this season. Dumont CAN get closed down if duners do not follow the guidelines. That actually happened at El Mirage earlier this year. Understand that the BLM is a government agency that manages Dumont Dunes and they must closely follow and enforce the CDC guidelines. So cut them some slack and don't take it out on them or the rangers. 😆 We're all dealing with this together and looking forward to a fun, safe dune season!

If you've been to Dumont Dunes, chances are you've been to the North Pole. It's one of the most popular spots out there. Over the years, the North Pole has seen some weather, abuse, and vandalism. It has been rebuilt several times. A few years ago a large second pole was installed next to the original North Pole. It was a "super sized" North Pole and everyone loved it. It became a Dumont monument where duners would hang items of importance and visit while on run through the dunes. Late Friday night of MLK weekend, it was set on fire. Duners first noticed the burned pole down Saturday morning as it was still smoldering. The remaining little bit of pole was propped back up with rocks by the duners. Everyone was outraged. Social media blew up and the community was pissed. A few Vegas guys quickly came together with a plan for a new pole. They were welcomed with applause and cheer when they arrived out there. Everyone came together and helped erect the new North Pole. The old memorials and items were salvaged and placed on the pole before it was put in the ground. A flag and solar lights were also installed.

Dumont holiday season pass....CHECK. Toys prepped, shined up and that cool new flag is ready to mount up as soon as it rolls out of the trailer...CHECK. Funny costume & trick or treat candy for the kids...CHECK. $500 worth of food and booze plus half the house loaded up in the RV for a 3 day trip to the sandbox...CHECK. What else you could possibly need for a few days of epic fun with your friends and family at Dumont? Your head! Don't leave home without it. I've seen it year after year. People are so amped up about the first big weekend at Dumont that they tend to overlook some simple things that might save their life. 1. Protect your dome! Always wear a helmet, even in side x sides. They save lives. Besides, it's the law out there. 2. Don't get ejected and run over! Buckle up even if you are just hopping over to another camp. Accidents often happen when we are least expecting it. 3. Keep your head on a swivel. Crashing hurts! Halloween is very busy and people come out of nowhere. Look out for each other more than normal. 4. Nobody likes a showboat. Yes, going fast and wheelies are awesome! I love them both. However, leave them for the dunes, not the camp area or congested areas like Comp or Banshee Hill. 5. Dunes & drinks only go well together around the campfire. Think you are a professional drinker and you can still drive carefully? Think again. Your judgement is always impaired when you've had a couple. Not only that, if you are pulled over or involved in an accident, the charges of DUI and manslaughter still very much apply in the dunes. Don't become another statistic or cause pain to others. Have a fun and safe weekend out there, everyone.

The 20/21 season is slowly coming to a close. Easter Weekend is the last official holiday of the season. It's never a super busy one, but it's a tradition for duners that haven't hung it up yet. Usually the temperatures are tipping into the 90's by this weekend, but the weather has been unseasonably cool this year. It's looking like we'll see low 80's for a daytime high. Daylight savings time has already kicked in so that means an extra hour of daylight to rip around those dunes! Easter Weekend no holiday pass is required, but you need at least a non-holiday season or weekly pass there usually aren't many vendors who show up this late in the season, but keep an eye on the forum. Drags at 3PM each day on the back stretch

Can you believe its 2020 and we're approaching the middle of dune season already? The next holiday weekend is right around the corner, MLK Weekend. Although it's not typically a busy weekend, holiday passes are required from Jan 14-20, 2020. This holiday weekend is what I like to call a duner's holiday. You won't find thousands of people partying at Comp Hill on Saturday night, but instead you'll notice more people actually in the dunes carving it up. Vendor row isn't going to be full like on the big weekend, but there may be a couple of vendors who show up. If your going out, be sure to post up a dune report or tag us on Instagram. Have fun and be safe. MLK weekend 2017, Instagram

Many duners have been anxiously awaiting to hear news that the Dumont cell tower is up and running. Although early reports stated it would be completed in November 2018, that was not the case. Towards the end of the 18/19 season we saw that the service access road was completed, but that was all. Then in March, we saw they were pouring concrete at the top of the hill and that was an exciting and big step towards more progress. It is now May and we recently received word that the tower has been placed on the hill south of the camp area at the big dunes/ memorial hill area. The tower was installed using a crawler crane. Originally they were going to use a helicopter, but that would have involved additional permits which caused more problems and delays. High speed coverage for all should be available by Fall of 2019! Tom Gammon, president and founder of InterConnecting Wireless, advised us a perimeter fence goes in sometime in June. Phone carriers will soon thereafter start installing their equipment for the cell tower to be functional. AT&T is looking to start their full equipment install or deployment in July. This takes 90 to 120 days until phones work or all is fully completed. Verizon should be installing everything this fall and T-Mobile is in the process of working on doing the same. All 4 carriers will provide service as Sprint “roams” on Verizon and T-Mobile does that on AT&T! September 2019 Update Latest update: As we already know, the tower is fully constructed and ready for the carriers to install their equipment. Both Verizon and AT&T have signed leases and are deployed right now. The cell tower project manager cannot predict "on air" dates, but he is very optimistic for service to be up and running by Thanksgiving. Let's hope it all gets done earlier than that so we can see it functional for Halloween weekend. Fingers crossed. Related: Cell Tower Construction Updates, https://www.dumontduneriders.com/invision/news/cell-tower-construction-updates-r163/

As summer slowly crawls to an end, fall is not too far off. The mornings are getting cooler and the triple digits will no longer be lingering at Dumont. Before you know it, dune season will be here! The season generally starts mid to late October, depending on the weather and how anxious some duners get. Halloween weekend, Oct 27-28, is the official kickoff for the season and you'll want to make sure you are 100% ready. Here are a few pre-season tips for things that often get overlooked. RVs/ Toyhaulers Test batteries and check water levels. Also, check your connections and cables Run your generator for 30+ minutes and check it under a load. Make sure it is charging your batteries. Turn on your fridge and make sure it works under both 12V and propane Inspect tires for cracks or separations and replace if needed. Drive your RV or pull your trailer around town 10+ miles at highway speeds and check afterward. check trailer suspension shackles for excessive wear. Removal of a nut may be required to see if the holes are stretched Check and top off propane levels. Inspect those hoses for leaks. Check all bulbs and electrical items to make sure everything is working properly Stock up on necessary pantry items. Don't forget TP & holding tank chemical! Wash sheets/ blankets Don't forget that RV TP! ATV's, Side x Sides, and Motorcycles Test/ replace battery clean air filter fresh oil change and check all fluids check and/or replace drive chains/sprockets or belt (RZR) check and/or replace brake pads Make sure all sand tires hold air. Air them up and recheck them after a few days. Add tire sealer if needed. Make sure registration is up to date and you have a good flag ready to mount. Check all lights. Don't get popped for a ticket at night for inoperative lights. Polaris RZR battery upgrade Sandcars Test/replace battery. Is it fresh and good to go for the season? fresh oil change clean and oil air filter repack CVs check (& change?) transmission fluid bolt check entire car check for oil or coolant leaks inspect hoses and belts check coolant level and fan operation check brake fluid level and pads check clutch operation check shifter & linkage check all lights check tires and add sealer if needed replace worn heims inspect frame for cracks verify current sticker or registration and you have a good flag ready to mount Trans Fluid for Some Transaxles Other Items Not to Forget About Season pass. Passes will be available late-September. Call the BLM at 760-252-6000 to order or visit a participating dealer. Season passes are not available at Dumont. Flags for all toys stock up on firewood beer Don't Get Stuck!

Let's face it. Dune season is over at Dumont and the triple digits are here to stay until September. While most of you are headed up into the mountains or to the lake to beat the heat, some of you get those summertime dune withdrawals. They usually start to set in around June or July when all you want is a quick sand fix. Well we're here to give you some tips on how it can be done. Summer sand fixes should only attempted by experienced and dedicated duners. They aren't for the average weekend warrior or faint-hearted. Newbies best stay home until Halloween weekend rolls around. You have to come prepared and know Dumont well. Summer brings on a whole new set of challenges for going out and shredding the dunes that you thought you were familiar with. The sand changes...considerably. Those lines you usually take during the season are long gone. There are zero tracks to follow. The dunes take on different shapes and razorbacks become back-cut drop offs and are almost impossible to traverse like you normally would. "Witches Eyes" form and can swallow up a side x side like nothing. There are no BLM or medical personnel on site and there are very rarely any other duners out there either. Never rely on your cel phone for your life line. You must go prepared and take extra caution. So how can one even think about going out and enjoying this dangerously scorching hot sandbox and treacherous landscape? Well to start, weekend trips are out of the question unless you plan to run your generators all weekend only to cool off your RV to 90 degrees during the day. So a quick, very early morning trip is the way to do it. 1. Pick Your Day Wisely. The first thing you should do is watch the weather. Follow the forecast and go out when the temps are at their lowest. Even a dip of 5-10 degrees makes a big difference. Sometimes you can even catch a break and get some unseasonable cool weather. Follow Tecopa, CA weather. That is the closest recorded weather to Dumont Dunes. 2. Forget About Sleeping In. If you want epic conditions and want to go duning, you have to be dedicated enough to wake up in the middle of the night to leave. Yes, we're talking like 2 or 3 AM depending on how far from Dumont you live. A trip like this is typically only possible for those who live 200-300 miles from Dumont. Plan on arriving about 45 minutes before sunrise or even earlier if you don't mind unloading in the dark. You will be able to get about 3-4 hours (at the most) of duning before the temperatures rise to the upper 90's. It sounds short, but it is so worth it. You'll wanna get out of Dodge before 11AM. Even in the shade, the heat radiated from the sand is no fun to sit and relax in. 3. Don't Skip the Essentials. While you are so stoked at the first sight of that virgin sand and can't wait to go carve it up ....hold up. Just because you are most likely the only group out there you should still always run a flag. This helps others in your group follow and keeps you guys from running into each other should you find yourselves in some tight areas or crossing back over towards the rear of your group. Helmets and wrist restraints should ALWAYS be worn in side x sides. They prevent major injuries and save lives. And as always, ATV or motorcycle riders should wear full riding gear such as boots, helmet, goggles, etc. Consider wearing a chest protector too. Those witches eyes can be very dangerous and stop you really quickly sending you right into the handlebars. Don't forget water and even some sunscreen too. Plan for the breakdown, not the ride. 4. Bring Your Wolfpack As much as you want to bring the whole family and show all your buddies who have never seen Dumont before, this should only be a trip for the most experienced duners you know. You don't want to invite the guy who never maintains his ride either. Summertime is no time to be messing around out there with broken equipment. If you or someone in your group has a breakdown, be prepared. Have at least one decent tow strap in the group, preferably 2 or 3. Many of us run the Super Straps too. They are a must-have for recovering vehicles from the dunes. Another good idea is to have a good toolbag with the basics plus things like ratchet straps, zip ties, etc. 5. Choose Your Lines Wisely As mentioned earlier, the dunes change in the summertime. With no traffic and shifting seasonal winds, the dunes can be dangerously different from what you are used to during the season. The sand is usually very "slippery" in summer too. You should basically treat Dumont like a place you've never been to before and use even more caution than you normally do. Watch for those witches eyes and it's best to take a familiar route through the dunes first in order to make some tracks to follow on your next ride or way back to the truck. If this sounds too dangerous and risky for you, it probably is. However, if you are a die hard, experienced duner that wants to shred Dumont like no other time of the year, the dunes are flat out epic. They resemble scenes from a movie. There's something extra special about being out there on the virgin ripples of sand when the sun is just rising and there is nobody else out there except you and your buddies. Knowing that you are on your own and if something goes wrong, it adds an element of adventure and adrenaline to the experience. That might sound a little crazy, but that's why you don't see anyone out there in the summertime. Go prepared, take calculated risks, and enjoy Dumont like never before. photos by Pete Greep

It was a quiet Easter weekend out at Dumont Dunes. Most people have already wrapped up the season and called it quits. The warm April temperatures tend to keep most people from going out, but for those who made the trip, they had some great weather and some awesome sand. The daytime temperatures were mostly in the 80's, still plenty cool enough to dune. With no crowds, the sand was typical of what you would expect in the middle of summer. There were hardly any tracks and the dunes were full of razorbacks. It's always sad to see the season come to an end, but there's always breaks in the weather that allow for a quick fix. You just have to have the sand toys ready to load up and go! photos courtesy of @agphd via Instagram

The new year is upon us and it's time to say goodbye to 2016. Although it's a holiday weekend, New Years isn't a really big one compared to Halloween or President's weekend. New Years Eve lands on a Saturday night this year allowing duners to get their party on when the ball drops at midnight. Expect some cold temperatures as this is one of the coldest times of the year. Holiday Passes are required Dec 27, 2016 thru Jan 2, 2017.

Good times are here again! Dune season kicked off Halloween weekend bringing back the energy of the pre-recession days of Dumont Dunes. Let's face it. Some of the holiday weekends over the past 5-6 years have been rather stale and low on attendance. This year seemed a bit different though. There was an added element of vitality and excitement in the air. This recent boom may have been sparked by the side x side craze. Back in the day, duners would acquire big ticket sand toys by using their home equity. Nowadays, companies like Polaris and Can Am make it easy to finance a toy that the whole family can enjoy year round. Whether this is what reignited the spark or not, Halloween weekend definitely had a huge crowd as shown from duner, Chad Lozier’s, high flying drone. The BLM recorded 16,000 duners were in attendance. As if that didn't give us a good enough perspective, paragliders, Bill Baby and Ryan Thomas, flew overhead capturing the view from their own bird's eye view. Talk about the best seat in the house! Vendor Row was lacking a few vendors this year compared to other years, however duners still got over there as early as Friday morning to cash in on early weekend deals and to get some dune shopping in. Beefy Boys BBQ served up breakfast, lunch and dinner while California Casuals offered their famous holiday weekend t-shirts that almost every duner has owned at some point. The weather was overcast a good portion of the weekend, but the sun managed to break through the clouds making for some much needed A/C time in the RV. Temperatures were warm all weekend ranging from the low 70's after the sun went down to 93 degrees on Saturday afternoon! It was shorts weather all day and into the night. Campfires weren't even fired up until late. Speaking of weather, the recent rain that hit Dumont that Monday and Tuesday before Halloween weekend made for some choppy sand conditions. The dunes were already tracked and rutted out as early as Friday morning. So much for a smooth dune run before the crowds rolled in! That sand was wet underneath all weekend. It didn't stop everyone from having fun though. Just getting back to the sandbox after a long summer was good enough. The BLM opened their doors to the visitor center. Park Ranger Art provided safety and wildlife information and let duners pet the lizards and snakes that were on display. Rangers and medical staff were ready and responded to a few accidents throughout the weekend. One fatality was reported when a Banshee rider was unable to stop at the top of Banshee Hill. Full story here. Once the sun went down on Saturday it was Trick-or-Treat time! Little duners and even some of the parents got into costume and went camp to camp for candy. Dumont is arguably the best way to spend Halloween for kids and adults. Duners decorated their camps and really got into the spirit out there as always. This year we saw the Star Wars crew, dinosaurs, nuns, pimps, and lots of Donald Trumps! Comp Hill was literally lit up with lighted whips that stretched 5+ rows back. Drones were flying around with ghosts hanging from them, the Star Wars Landspeeder was making it's rounds passing out candy and taking pictures with everyone, and there was the loudest stereo system in the world blasting music from the front row into the crowd. That's not all. People were actually racing this year too. Imagine that...racing at Competition Hill. Let's not forget the famous McFlurry. It was in tow up and down the aisles as people cheered it on. Video presented by Bruner Racing Drone footage by Jeff Bruner and Jimmy Redmond Sunday morning started as another overcast day. The sun came out for a minute, then out of nowhere there were 30+ mph winds blowing sand and dust so hard that it was impossible to see across the camp area. It came at an unfortunate time for duners as most were just getting packed up. Some of the people who were camped in tents faced even more of a challenge. The wind turned their dune home into a hang glider! As we all know, this "W" word is what makes Dumont so awful and great at the same time. It can ruin our day of duning but at the same time fix the place right back up after a busy weekend. Come Monday, the dunes were back to how we love them, nice and smooth. For more pics and trip reports, check out the Halloween thread on the forum... More photos from our social media have been posted in the gallery... Next up, Thanksgiving! It's only a few weeks away. Start getting those dune toys ready now because it will be here before you know it.

We're halfway through summer and you probably have your first big weekend already marked on the calendar, Halloween Weekend! Well it's only 100 days away. It will be here before you know it!

HWY127 is now fully open to through traffic with construction occurring in shoulder areas only from Monday through Friday 6AM-4PM. This portion of work is expected to continue through June 2024. NO FLAGGING IS REQUIRED AT THIS TIME BUT MAY OCCUR AS NEEDED TO COMPLETE REPAIR WORK. The route remains fully open to traffic during an outside of work hours. Crews continue shoulder repair work and an approximate 2 mi section of the route. Little Dumont Little Dumont is open. Photos of original storm damage/ Source: Caltrans District 8

Get those toys prepped and ready because Halloween is the official kickoff to the 20-21 dune season and it's right around the corner! Halloween (official) lands on lands on a Sunday, but the Dumont festivities will take place, as usual, on Saturday night of Halloween weekend. Be sure you decorate your camp and have plenty of candy to hand out as trick-or-treaters will show up in their best-dressed costumes. Friends of Dumont Dunes will also be hosting their annual truck or treat at vendor row Saturday night from 6-8 PM. As far as the rest of the weekend, get geared up to shred dune rides, shoot Comp or Banshee Hill, or swing by the North Pole to see everyone else out and about enjoying the start of dune season. Just keep in mind those razorbacks will be sharp. So do a couple of slow runs before hammering down and going big! Being a holiday weekend, vendor row will have a little of everything such as Dumont Halloween apparel, flags, food, ice, and firewood. You will need your holiday weekend pass so be sure to grab one at a participating vendor before you get there, otherwise it'll be $40 for a 7-day pass at the entrance pay machine (credit card only). The most important thing to remember is to stay safe and watch out for each other. Keep your head on a swivel as there are thousands of others out there doing the same thing as you. Brush up on your ways to stay alive. Don't become a statistic. We're not trying to scare you, but the main reasons fatalities or major accidents happen out there are 1) lack of experience, 2) drinking or using drugs while driving or riding, 3) not using safety equipment (belts, harnesses, or wearing a helmet) or 4) making a poor judgment call such as staying on the gas when you can't read the dunes (either midday & super bright when there are no shadows or at night). Most importantly: have fun, make some epic memories, and share them with the rest of the DDR community on our forum or social media.

UPDATE: Dec 13, 2020 AT&T is finally operational. Both Verizon and AT&T work, but no other carriers unless they operate on the AT&T or Verizon networks. Since the announcement of the new cell tower being built at Dumont Dunes, we have all been very excited to see 5 bars and 4G service out at there. Expected completion days kept getting pushed farther and farther back, but the tower is 100% built. At this point we've just waiting for the carriers to have their services "on air". That time might have finally come (with Verizon). 12/23/19 Update: Verizon might be up! We have been getting a few reports of full Verizon service in many places that are usually dead. Granted it is a slow weekend, service in these areas is usually non-existent or very spotty. We'll report back as we hear even more feedback. 11/22/19 Update Verizon has everything installed at the tower. We are just waiting for the service to become active at this point. It can be any day now. Over thanksgiving we'll have to see if we have 5 bars or just 2 on top of a few dunes from them. AT&T is still finalizing their solar design for this site. So it will easily 5 months from "5 bars" from them. IF Verizon gets turned on, Sprint will have 5 bars of roaming service, but not lightning fast streaming. Same with T-Mobile when AT&T eventually turns on. Construction Timeline & Updates In the beginning of the season, users of Dumont Dunes were very excited to hear about a new cell tower going in at Dumont Dunes. Shortly after the announcement, we were told it was going to be finished by November 19th, 2018! In early November, we received some selfies from a well-dressed project manager in a cowboy hat. 😆 The photo showed the completion of the access gate and the road that was graded to the top of a mountain just south of the big dunes. Nov 2018: Service Access Road When November 19th rolled around and there was still no cell tower, we weren't very surprised. That sounded way too good to be true. We did, however, get an updated from the BLM stating the tower would be installed and functioning by April/May of 2019. That sounded much more realistic. Throughout the season, however, we saw no work being done and we wondered if there was some sort of holdup. Would this cell tower actually be done this season...or ever? Duners were very eager to get out to the dunes and stream movies I guess. I was getting multiple messages before every holiday weekend asking if it was done. I would send everyone the following photo of the last update of their "tower". It's a photo of the top of the barren mountain where the cell tower site will be. Feb 2019: The Cell Tower Site & Construction It is now March and I can finally share some good news of some progress at the cell tower site. Over cleanup weekend, truckloads of cement were being hauled into Dumont. The trucks were driving out to Dumont from Las Vegas. It was taking them 3 hours to get there at which time the cement was quickly poured into front end loaders and hauled up the steep access road to the cell tower construction site. From the looks of it, the forms are in the ground and the foundation will be ready for the tower very soon. According to the BLM, the cell tower will be helicoptered in and set on top of that mountain. So it looks like that April/ May completion date may be a reality after all! We will keep you posted on the progress. The cell tower will be a great addition for Dumont users not only for selfies and live stream dune videos, but for emergencies and better communication in the dunes during breakdowns and recoveries. Here are the photos from the progress on March 16th, 2019. March 2019: Pouring Foundation Concrete May 2019- Tower is Up! September 2019: Verizon and AT&T Install Equipment Latest update: As we already know, the tower is fully constructed and ready for the carriers to install their equipment. Both Verizon and AT&T have signed leases and are deploying their services. The cell tower project manager cannot predict "on air" dates, but he is very optimistic for service to be up and running by Thanksgiving. Let's hope it all gets done earlier than that so we can see it functional for Halloween weekend. Fingers crossed. October: Waiting For Service As dune season approaches, everyone is very excited for the new tower to be done. While we would love to see five bars and 4G over Halloween weekend, we'll likely have to wait until sometime in November for the tower service to be fully functional. We are guessing that by Thanksgiving it should be working. That is when the project manager and BLM estimate the tower to be 100% operative. November: Still Waiting For Service Verizon has everything installed at the tower. We are just waiting for the service to become active at this point. It can be any day now. Over thanksgiving we'll have to see if we have 5 bars or just 2 on top of a few dunes from them. AT&T is still finalizing their solar design for this site. So it will easily 5 months from "5 bars" from them. IF Verizon gets turned on, Sprint will have 5 bars of roaming service, but not lightning fast streaming. Same with T-Mobile when AT&T eventually turns on. March 2020: Tower is Functional for Verizon As of President's Day, the tower seems to be functioning great for Verizon customers with the exception of a couple dead zones (Comp Hill and the Swingset). Everywhere else has great signal and service seems fast! Sept 2020: AT&T Installing AT&T has finally made it out and is currently installing their equipment at the tower. Expect service within the next month (Oct 2020). Oct 27, 2020 Still no AT&T. Only Verizon is working. We hear no other carriers are up yet. Any updates and we'll post em here! Dec 13, 2020 AT&T is finally operational. Both Verizon and AT&T work, but no other carriers unless they operate on the AT&T or Verizon networks. Forum Discussion

Thanksgiving is here and Dumont is open! In addition, the annual Dune Master and Sand Piper Old School Buggy Sand Drags and Hill Climbs are on for 2020. The drag races will be Friday, November 27th starting at 10am on the flats on the way to the North Pole. The hill climbs will be held on Saturday, November 28th also starting at 10am on the big hill just to the left of comp hill. Spectators are welcome. Social Distancing and other Covid safe practices are encouraged. Sorry, Participants are limited to Club members only due to BLM permit and insurance requirements.

There's no doubt that we're living in some crazy times right now. Because of the Coronavirus and COVID-19, many businesses have been told to close and people have been laid off. Although it is a scary time, there is no need to panic. This will pass and everything will eventually be back to normal. If your stuck in your house and find yourselves extremely bored with an abundance of free time on your hands, you might be thinking of getting out of town and self-distancing yourselves at Dumont. It's the perfect place to turn off the media and get away from the craziness. All of California's parks and developed recreation areas have closed, however Dumont is not a park. It is a dispersed camping and OHV area and is remaining open! We have confirmed this with BLM and we will update the website of anything changes, but we were told Dumont will remain open and fees are not waived like some other OHV and park areas. The bathrooms are still open and being cleaned/ disinfected by Lynn Construction, but this may change without notice and they could be closed/locked. So get out there and feel normal again. Just remember there are no services on off-weekends and to be extra careful. Bring plenty of supplies and still continue to take normal steps to protect yourself and prevent the spread of this virus. If you are feeling sick, stay home! Stay in the habit of washing your hands, keeping surfaces clean, distancing yourselves 6 ft from others, and covering coughs and sneezes. Keep your camp and group size limited. Most importantly...have some fun in those dunes, clear your mind and enjoy this great weather we have had lately! Share your photos/ stories with us by posting a dune report or tagging us on Instagram. photo by bigeyes10 April 17 Update- DUMONT IS STILL OPEN. There are no plans to close at this point and we will update the site if anything changes. BLM CALIFORNIA COVID-19 UPDATES The health and safety of our visitors and staff remains the number one priority of the Bureau of Land Management. In accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and with the Governor’s shelter in place order, the BLM will temporarily close all developed campgrounds and developed recreation sites in California, to help limit the spread of COVID-19. The closure is effective immediately and will remain in effect until such time as conditions allow for safe use of the recreation areas. While developed recreation sites are closed, dispersed camping and trails remain open and available to the public. Visitors may continue to enjoy BLM-managed public lands in a safe and responsible manner. We recommend visiting areas close to home while avoiding very popular or crowded locations where social distancing may be difficult and limiting group activities to members of your household. Please note that existing rules and regulations apply. Entrance fees have been waived. Other fees, such as cabin rentals, group day use, and use of special areas will remain in effect. The BLM urges visitors to do their part when visiting your public lands as some visitor services may be limited due to limited staff availability in some areas. We recommend: bringing your own supplies such as disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, and toilet paper packing out your trash reducing the handling of cash by paying recreation fees through Recreation.gov or with a check, where available Follow local, state, and CDC guidance: maintain a safe distance between yourself and other groups limit your group to 10 people or less wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; or use hand sanitizer if you can’t wash your hands avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze stay home if you feel sick *** Please note that the BLM will be responsive to changing circumstances, and this information may change at any time. We will do our best to update this information but recommend that you also contact local offices.*** Dumont Visitor Center The BLM is temporarily restricting in-person public access to visitor centers and public rooms in our California offices.The Dumont visitor center is closed. Dumont Restrooms The restrooms are still open and being regularly cleaned by Lynn Construction. Above info from https://www.blm.gov/site-page/blm-california-covid-19-updates FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO RIDE DURING “SOCIAL DISTANCING” – SOME GUIDELINES National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council recently drew your attention to U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service guidance, indicating that opportunities to continue dispersed recreation may remain during the current reality we are all facing as a result of COVID-19. It is possible to abide by social distancing and other recommended guidelines while getting outdoors and engaging in all sorts of recreation – including OHV recreation. But, ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide if getting outdoors is the right thing to do. NOHVCC always believes in safe and responsible recreation – this is the core of NOHVCC’s ethic; however, safety is even more important than ever if you choose to ride in the near future. Many hospitals are at or near capacity. This may not only make it difficult for you to get the care you need should you get injured, you may also turn the attention of hospital staff away from focusing on addressing the needs of other patients. Please carefully consider the potential implications should you hit the trails. Make decisions that make sense for you and your family and that abide by recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and other federal, state, and local agencies and governments. Some general guidelines, should you choose to engage in OHV recreation during this situation: Contact the riding area in advance – they may be closed. Visit cdc.gov for information on the latest recommendations and guidelines – follow them! Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact, especially with people who are ill. Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick. As ALWAYS – wear all appropriate safety gear. For ATVs, ROVs, and dirt bikes this includes: a DOT-compliant helmet, goggles, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves. Ride or drive on trails that do not challenge your skill level – now is not the time for technical obstacles. Ride or drive at significantly reduced speeds. Enjoy the scenery. Stop for lunch and take in the fresh air and sounds that come with being outdoors. Abide by social distancing recommendations. Ride in pairs or small groups. Keep in mind that others you come across on the trail may stay farther away than normal and may not want to engage in conversation. Experience nearby trails. This is not the time to load up the truck and try a riding area that you’ve always wanted to try but is 1,000 miles away. Comply with recommendations to stay near to home. If you are at all uncomfortable for any reason about getting out on the trail – DON’T GO! If you feel sick – DON’T GO! Recreation is an important part of life – studies show it makes us happier and healthier. However, we are experiencing a unique reality right now. NOHVCC encourages you to make good decisions, comply with mandates and guidelines from relevant authorities, and to stay safe. Info from https://www.nohvcc.org/for-those-who-choose-to-ride-during-social-distancing-some-guidelines/

As another season comes to a close, volunteers joined forces with the BLM to make Dumont a cleaner place. Friends of Dumont Dunes president, Jason Ardenski, recently injured his knee and was unable to put in his usual hard work and amazing efforts. It was looking like the cleanup event might not even happen this year until a few key people stepped in. FoDD Vice president, Heather N Siders, and Jimmy Lynn of Lynn Construction catered lunch for everyone who came out. The Barstow BLM made sure there was a large dumpster as well as trash bags, gloves, and the usual items needed to clean up. 130 volunteers signed up to help clean up the dunes. While the dunes seemed to be a bit cleaner this year, some of the camps and high traffic areas became much less littered with debris and a good haul of trash was brought in. A huge thank you goes out to everyone involved this year.

We Almost Pulled the Plug on this site! Please Donate to Dumont Dune Riders All donations go directly towards the costs associated with recovering our domain name and maintaining the site. Donate with Paypal Donate with Venmo No Paypal or Venmo? Donate here. UPDATE! We have reached our goal to cover the expenses! Thank you guys for donating. Any additional donations will still go towards the site to cover our hosting/ maintenance expenses. What Happened? During the month of September, the company that was in charge of registering and renewing our domain name failed at doing that (even after billing us), therefore our domain was let go and picked up by a company that buys & sells domains. Our domain was long gone and we no longer had control of it. At that time, our only choice was to hire a domain broker. They contacted the new owner and were able to negotiate a price for us to buy it back. That price, however, wasn't cheap. It cost us thousands to get it back. I (Pete) debated on shutting the site down altogether. Changing the name was an option, but the amount of work involved in re-configuring the site would have been tremendous. I decided to pay the price and continue to keep this site going because so many people use it and enjoy it. It is a job I do without any pay and it often requires much of my time and energy, but I felt it was the right move to keep it alive. So now we have recovered our domain name and have managed to get the site back up after a long and stressful week. If you are a member or use the site, please donate whatever you can to recovering these extremely high and unexpected costs. I will continue to do my part and keep this site going for everyone in the dune community. I never feel right asking for money. In the 14 years the website has been going, we have never asked our members for a single cent, but this time we truly need your help. Even if it's $5, it helps! What else can you do besides donate? Stay active and get involved on the site. The future of this site depends on the people who use it. Social media is great, but it doesn't quite offer what DDR does. Many people lurk on the site every month just to read posts, get information about Dumont, browse the classifieds, etc. We are the central hub of Dumont Dunes. That is why we want to keep it going. So start a conversation on the forum or join in on one. Get to know the awesome people we have here as members. Got something to share? Please share it! Sponsors Needed It costs about $200-250 a month to keep DDR going. We have our own dedicated and reliable server that isn't cheap. Software and plugins constantly need renewing and updating. There are many things required to keep us online. Site sponsors help cover our costs to run this site and we only have a few. If you are interested in becoming a site sponsor, we offer affordable advertising packages to advertise your business on our website. If you have any questions at all, please contact Pete via our contact form or PM me. Thanks for your support, guys! Pete Greep Dumont Dune Riders founder/ site owner

This year's cleanup went better than expected by a long shot. Over 150 people showed up to help pick up trash throughout the camp area and dunes. Some people might not think that sounds like the ideal dune trip, but the cleanup is much more than that. It is an annual event where the duners get together as a small, tight-knit community and give back to the place they love. With the efforts of Barstow BLM and the Friends of Dumont Dunes organization, it has become a tradition that has been 15 years in the making. Several friends and families gathered on Saturday March 18th to do just that and it was a hit! Registration Registration began at 8:00 AM. Duners trickled in and signed up with the BLM to volunteer for the morning. Gloves, trash bags, and even grabby sticks were supplied to assist those who were picking up trash. Every volunteer got a wrist band, which gave them a free pass for the weekend as well as a free lunch provided by Friends of Dumont Dunes. In addition, each bag of trash collected would give them a quick draw ticket for the chance to win some great prizes. Cleaning up the Dunes Many duners scattered out throughout the camp area since the trash seems always be near the fire pits, but some people even went out to Comp Hill and combed the outskirts of the dunes to fill their bags. The most common trash seemed to be empty ice bags, plastic bottles, debris from fireworks and sky lanterns, and tissue/ toilet paper stuck in bushes. So keep this in mind next time you are out at the dunes. Much of that trash gets left behind or blown out of camp. This may be a disappointment to some, but sky lanterns don't make it to heaven. They go up and then they come down and litter our desert. Making Dumont a cleaner place, one piece of trash at a time. It was gorgeous weather and I was just happy to be out there helping out. While out on the north end of camp, this little guy came up and said hello. I thought for sure he'd run away before I pulled my camera out, but he didn't even flinch. Small bushes were a popular trash trap. The large dumpster was provided via Barstow BLM. Bags upon bags of trash were collected and tossed in. You'd be surprised at some of junk that is left behind out there by litterbugs; a roll of carpet, a car fender, clothing, a tire, a coloring book, CO2 cartridges, and much more. There was a plaque given for most unique item found and that went to the person that found a fishing pole! Who brings a fishing pole to Dumont? This was my contribution for the day. A full bag of trash plus a few strange items like the coloring book, a little girl's Christmas dress, a timing belt and an ugly thermal. Everyone had their vehicle of choice. I used my buggy. Some used their vehicle so they could run their A/C. Lou used his ATC70! By 11:30 AM all the trash was collected in the dumpster and everyone gathered at the BLM Ranger Station for lunch, a public meeting and quick draw. The shade structure helped out tremendously this year. In year's past, we would have to stand out in the sun or haul our EZ UPs over to the event area. The BLM has put together quite a nice compound with our user fees; money well spent my my eyes. Food! Lunch is Served! Everyone lined up for lunch. The new president of Friends of Dumont Dunes, Jason Ardenski, and his family donated their time to serving up a great backyard style BBQ lunch. Tri-Tip sliders, ballpark-style dogs, corn, beans, chips and cookies were provided. Jason went above and beyond into making this happen. He forked out money from his own pocket into making sure this was more than just a cheap hotdog and a water type lunch. He brought out the good stuff with very little time to prepare. The whole family was very professional and you would think they owned a restaurant the way they made sure each and every duner was handled. Jason's BBQ setup and catering equipment was impressive. We can't thank him and the whole family enough for what they did. The lunch crew (left to right): Jason's sister and her boyfriend, Brooke and Danny with their son Greyston Jason's father Tom, Jason's son Gavin, daughter Libby, Jason Ardenski, and his mother Kay. Everyone was grubbin and more than pleased with the food! Sandcrab's crew approved! BLM/ Sub-Group/ Public Meeting After lunch, the BLM held their open-to-the-public Dumont meeting. Members of the DAC (Desert Advisory Committee) were in attendance with the BLM to discuss items such as the budget, safety concerns, Dumont user issues, and more. They keep the users informed with the management of the area that they frequently use. Some concerns in the crowd were camp speeders, off weekend law enforcement and the possibility of providing dumpsters on holiday weekends. These things will be discussed in more detail at the next meeting. New Friends of Dumont Dunes president, Jason Ardenski, had a refreshing sense of enthusiasm as he discussed his new position and plans for future events and volunteer efforts to keep Dumont a fun and safe community. Speaking of new FoDD members, a brand new vice-president and secretary also stepped up to the plate, Heather Siders! We can't thank them enough for their dedication to keeping the FoDD organization alive and active. Jason said it best with the photo below so I am just going to paste his own words. Quick Draw Once the meeting was over, a table of goodies was brought out by FoDD. Jason rounded these items up himself at the last minute from some great companies that were willing to donate to the cause. Kartek Off Road was generous enough to provide a ton of shirts, hats, koozies and 5 gift certificates! Rugged Radios stepped up and donated two radios, a gift card, duffel bag, hats, stickers, koozies and a banner! Even Jason's parents (also Friends of Dumont Dunes members), Tom and Kay, donated pop up trash cans, chairs, a tow strap, some tie downs, booster cables, and a fire extinguisher. Last but certainly not least, Jason personally donated several items such as a 52" LED light bar, LED flashlights and LED rock lights. His company, Impact Signs in Victorville, CA, in conjunction with Lynn Construction in El Mirage, CA even donated a 2017/2018 Dumont season pass. Impact Signs also donated some awesome RITC tumblers. Awards Plaques were given to those who collected the most bags as an individual and also as a group. In addition, there were winners for most unique item and largest item found. Sponsors and Special Thanks Jason Ardenski (president of FoDD) for EVERYTHING he did. Barstow BLM staff- helping with the entire event, dumpsters, supplies and use of the ranger station Rugged Radios- donations Kartek Off Road- donations Impact Signs in Victorville, CA- donations Awards of Recognition in Apple Valley, CA- plaque donations Lynn Construction in El Mirage, CA- donations Rose Beardshear (BLM)- for all her friendly help Friends of Dumont Dunes organization- for keeping the cleanup alive and fun Friends of El Mirage- for initially stepping up when there might not have been any FoDD board members to help Tom and Kay Ardenski and family- donations and cooking Terry Allen (former president of FoDD)- for his help, guidance, and several years of hard work making the cleanup fun Cleanup volunteers- for spending your morning picking up trash for a good cause Additional Photos

Dumont Dunes has many landmarks that duners commonly refer to; the North Pole, Comp Hill, Banshee Hill, the Superbowl, etc. The North Pole has been a popular destination for riders for years. If you've been to Dumont, chances are you have ridden out there and visited the mailbox. But how about the South Pole? Have you been there? Back in 2006, some of us from DDR felt we needed an additional landmark. Here is a little history of the South Pole and what it now looks like as of Presidents Weekend 2017. 1/21/2006: The Dumont South Pole Is Established A group of us from DDR decided Dumont needed a South Pole. After all, how can we have a North Pole with no South Pole? We wanted to have another landmark where we could ride and meet up with others from the site. We picked the south-most corner of the dunes where it was still legal to ride. Located out in the rocky sand hills overlooking the Salt Creek Hills and Sulurian Valley, it felt like the perfect place to put it up. You could get there from the finger dunes that connect to the big dunes in the south or you could take the sand highway on the eastern edge of the dunes. Another option would be to ride from the camp area via the trails on the back side of the rocky hills. The original South Pole was simple. It was just a red pole with some reflective stickers for visibility at night and some DDR stickers of course. We hauled the necessary tools and supplies out with a truck and after a little group effort of digging the hole, the Dumont South Pole was established! For a while, it was new to most and we made it game for others to find and post a picture next to it. Although it's extremely easy to find, some still had no idea. Over the Years Trinkets and items started appearing on the South Pole. More and more stickers were placed to decorate it and give it some character. Riders would visit the South Pole, kick back and enjoy the nice view of the dunes. It offered much better looking backdrops than the North Pole. DDR Meet & Greets For many years, the South Pole was used as our meeting place for DDR Meet & Greets. On the Saturday of every holiday weekend at 2PM, DDR members would meet up at the South Pole to say hi, meet some new faces and chat for a bit. It was a fun and social informal meet up that many would normally look forward to. December 2009: The military mailbox was added Some additional members of DDR decided to add a mailbox. Since the kids wrote letters to Santa at the North Pole, they felt the South Pole would be a great place to write the military troops. DDR member, termiteslayer, took it upon himself to collect and mail the letters each time he went out. Feb 2017: The South Pole Gets a Makeover Over President's Weekend, the "Regulators" group gave the South Pole a face lift. A supersized pole was erected and put into place. A large telephone pole, painted red, white and blue, was garnished with buggy parts that have been claimed by the dunes over the years. The parts were made into art to resemble a person, a dog and a buggy doing a wheelie. Up top sits a nice, big "South Pole" sign. They used two RZRs to hoist it into place by means of some cables and eye hooks attached to top of the pole. Great job on the Regulators part in reviving an old tradition with the passion we all share. It's group efforts like this that make Dumont a fun community and place to be a part of. Now that you know a little history of the South Pole, stop by the next time you are out at Dumont Dunes and be part of the tradition.

There's no doubt that this season has been a cold and wet winter. The dunes have been hammered over the last month because of the rain in December. The sand is usually quick to dry out because of the prevailing Dumont winds, but the cold temperatures have kept things damp below the surface. Although some areas are quick to return to virgin smooth sand, the tops of the dunes take more time to dry out. You'll notice how one side of a dune will be perfectly smooth and the other will look like the surface of the moon. When it rains, water collects and cuts deep ruts as it runs down from the razorbacks. The end result? Some ugly dunes! At the beginning of last weekend, the dunes were pretty wet with those funky ripples of "dune cellulite" as I call it. But as each day went by, there was already a noticeable difference in the condition of the sand. Each day it dried out a little bit more. On the south end of the dunes, they were in great shape and were already drying out. So don't worry. Dumont will be full of that fluffy, dry sand that we all crave before we know it. Mother nature has been hard at work. Between the strong winds and warm sunny days, the dunes should be dried out well before President's Weekend. Highs have been in the 60's lately and believe it or not, Dumont will already see temperatures as high as 80 degrees over the next week or two! That's right. Because of the low elevation, it doesn't take very long for the temperature to climb back up at Dumont Dunes. Jan 26-29, 2017 Weekend Report Plan Your Next Trip 10 Day Forecast meteoblue Recent Dune Reports and Conditions President's Weekend

Although New Years didn't draw a huge crowd like other holidays (just over 5000 visitors), the duners that showed up this weekend came to party and hit the sand! The dunes were very busy on Saturday making for some choppy, damp sand. This might have been why so many vehicles were seen being towed back to camp. Wet sand is never easy on equipment and always breaks stuff when we least expect it. Only a couple minor injuries were reported at the ranger station, 2 walk-in and 2 were transported. New Years Eve celebrations started Saturday. Some started early while others kicked off the festivities with an annual tradition of burning their Christmas Trees. Fire always gets the party started! As the countdown to midnight began, fireworks filled the sky to celebrate the new year. Sunday was quiet and brought some nice weather. It didn't last long though. Heavy winds came in with a vengeance and blew throughout the night. Hopefully it will be enough to clean things up for MLK weekend. That sand needs it. Happy New Year, everyone! 2017 Thanks to everyone who submitted the great photos and dune reports. Trip Reports Dumont New Years Photo Gallery submitted via social media

Featured above The late Milt Clements completing at the Dune Masters’ 1970 Thanksgiving Hill Climbs at Dumont Dunes. Photo courtesy of Bill LeFever What is a waterpumper you ask? Back in the 60's and 70's, the only buggies you would see at the dunes were cars that were powered by air cooled engines, typically Volkswagens and Corvairs. When the Dune Masters formed in 1968, they were putting together V8 powered buggies originally built from cut-down car frames. Back then, water cooled engines were new to the scene. They soon took on the name, "waterpumpers". Jerry Miles - a founding member of the Dune Masters club, Whittier, California. 1970 Thanksgiving hill climb competition at Dumont Dunes. Photo courtesy of Bill LeFever. As the waterpumper trend grew, the club would host gatherings and competitions in Pismo, Glamis and Dumont. These machines would be best known for their hill climbing capabilities. With their dual paddle setup and hand brakes that help the driver steer the buggy while it's front wheels are off the ground, they would be able to crawl up the steepest hills with their high torque V8 engines. The challenge of the hill climb competition is to be the last one to reach the top without stopping. It's a "snail race" or "slow drags" type of race...very difficult to do on a steep dune. When you see 3 or 4 of these buggies line up on the steep side of Comp Hill, it's quite a sight to see when they battle it out. As the years passed and technology advanced. so did the buggies. Huge displacement engines were built as well as stronger rear ends and transmissions. One thing remained though, the styling of the waterpumper buggies and their dual paddle tire setup. These buggies have always been known for power and traction. This buggy, owned by Jeff Cook, cranks out 736 horsepower from it's 434 cubic inch motor. photo courtesy of Old School Dune Buggies and Sand Rails, Facebook See the waterpumpers in action this Thanksgiving weekend The Dune Masters and Sandpipers Club will be hosting their 48th Annual hill climbs and drags. That's right, 48! The club was founded back in 1968 and they have returned to Dumont every year since then with their V8 powered buggies. They make up a big part of the history of Dumont Dunes so be sure to check them out. They will be set up on the steep, left side of Comp Hill for the hill climbs on Friday and then on Saturday the drags will take place along the back stretch of sand highway where you would drive out to the north pole. Schedule Friday, November 25th, 10am Hill Climbs at Comp Hill Saturday the 26th, 10am Drags on the back stretch Sorry, Club members only in competition but spectators are welcome at both events.

Duners were blown away with what rolled into Dumont Dunes this year for Halloween Weekend! Star Wars characters Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca and Princess Leia pulled up to Comp Hill in the Landspeeder X-34. Cel phones and cameras couldn’t come out quick enough. Everyone surrounded the homemade creation and were in awe at how far these guys got into the Halloween spirit. The Landspeeder drove up and down the rows at Comp Saturday night playing the Star Wars music and handing out candy to everyone. Between the music, the costumes, and lightsaber swords, the force was strong with this crew! Duners loved it and thanked them for their hard work and dedication. Once again, Howard, Trish, Walter and Laura, of Las Vegas, wowed Dumont beyond everyone's expectations. photo by Neal Rideout photo by Neal Rideout photo by Neal Rideout photo by Neal Rideout The Story Behind the Star Wars Landspeeder RZR Halloween weekend at Dumont is one of the most festive weekends of the year. For some people, it’s a fun excuse to throw on a funny wig or go as far as wearing full costume or string some orange lights up on their rig. Some choose to take things to a completely different level though. Meet Howard and Walter of Las Vegas, NV. You may remember their past Halloween RZR creations such as the Kia commercial hamster-car or the Flintstones mobile. Each year they’ve lifted their creations off the RZR chassis and hung on to them in Howard’s shop. They made such an impression at Dumont and on the internet with these builds that they felt like they had to take it up a notch this year. I think they succeeded in doing that, don’t you? After the Flintstone's car, the bar had to be raised even further. Howard's wife, Trish, came up with the Star Wars theme idea and from there the build was in full force. Since Star Wars is so hot (especially lately), they completely converted their same 2015 RZR XP 1000 into the easily recognized Landspeeder. A photo of the Landspeeder was printed up as a reference for the build, taped to the workbench, and work began! They started with the same bone stock, 4 seat RZR 1000 that was used for the previous builds. They built a skeleton frame around the outside to make up the overall shape of the Landspeeder then added sheet metal to form the body. Most people would probably stop there. Actually, most people would never even go that far in the first place! They then refined the body with bondo, paint, and added fully functioning jets. Many hours went into shaping the body and getting the paint just right. They didn’t skimp on the details. For example, they added the authentic dent in the front and even went as far as building a custom Star Wars Landspeeder style steering wheel, windshield and dash with functioning lights and controls. Even though they had this thing looking identical to the X-34 Landspeeder, that was not enough. Presentation is key! So in addition to the smoking, LED-lit jets, they added an outdoor sound system to blast the Star Wars theme songs. The seats were raised in order to show off their elaborate Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia costumes. Hundreds of hours went into this project and they managed to pull it off in just a few weeks leading up to Halloween Weekend. Howard, Walter, Trish and Laura have blown away the community once again and outdone themselves. Any idea what they might have in store for next year? Suggestions? Build thread by @b370... Additional photos, http://www.dumontduneriders.com/invision/gallery/category/25-star-wars-landspeeder-rzr/

Some duners cashed in on the untouched sand one week before they get hammered over Halloween. With weather varying from sunny to overcast and a few drips of rain, it turned out to be a great mix of weather for a day or two in the sand. Starting off the weekend, agphd on Instagram sent us these great shots of the untouched sand and wicked razorbacks followed by one of those epic Dumont sunsets! The Miles family (submitted via our FB) had the dunes all to themselves and even got a few of those passing raindrops as the cool looking clouds paid a visit. (photo by kailah.milesss via IG) (photo by Heather Martin via FB) (photo by Amy O'Malley Miles via FB) (photo by Amy O'Malley Miles via FB) They closed out the day like many others do and watched the sun go down in the horizon. (photo by Heather Martin via FB)

Missed out on the Dune in June trip? No problem. Relive it through our GoPro.

The weekend of April 25-26 brought even more wind to Dumont as well as some showers. There were only a few camps out there and the dunes were super smooth. On Saturday a brand new Artic Cat with only 10 hours on it broke a belt in the middle of a bowl and required a tow. He was pulled out thanks to the helping hand of DDR member, dentboy. The wind whipped insanely hard all weekend but the dune gods were nice enough to calm things down and the rain subsided just before sunset on Saturday. It was sketchy weather all weekend but even fair weather at the dunes is still a dune trip and that's better than being at work.

The Bureau of Land Management Barstow Field Office has implemented a much more convenient way to purchase your Dumont Dunes pass. You can now go to Recreation.gov and get your pass online before you even head out for the season. The fees will remain the same. There is a small service fee, but the total still comes to the same for the pass. Purchase on Recreation.gov: https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/e210305d-b769-11eb-87ed-16dbf55c498d NOTE: Here is what you can do if you purchased a pass through recreation.gov and they sold you a pass with the incorrect (last years) dates. Per the BLM, all season passes receipts will be honored and exchanged for the 2022-2023 season. They are still trying to figure out the system. No need to worry about a refund. As long as you have your receipt that you paid through recreation.gov, BLM will exchange for a hard copy season pass at the gate. For those who have not purchased a season pass but plan to buy yours through recreation.gov, I would wait until October 1st to purchase. Hard copy season passes will still be available through off-site vendors sometime over the next few weeks. Dumont Dune Annual pass season is Oct. 1-Sept. 30 Weekly passes are $30 Non-holiday annual pass is $90 The annual pass that includes holiday weekends is $120 The holiday weeks are: Halloween: Oct. 25 - Oct. 31, 2022 Thanksgiving: Nov. 22 - 28, 2022 New Year's: Dec. 27, 2022 to Jan. 2, 2023 Martin Luther King Jr.: Jan. 10-16, 2023 President's Day: Feb. 14-20, 2023 More pass information on our passes page. https://www.dumontduneriders.com/invision/passes/ BLM press release https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-implements-online-pass-purchase-option-dumont-dunes-and-el-mirage-highway-vehicle?fbclid=IwAR1_lZ-9Ml2cFlzC57x_5BZwHM-gkc8EzknsCXbfBjMgCpRxHNKj4Wt9Gok

The 2nd big holiday weekend of the season, Thanksgiving, is right around the corner. Thanksgiving is usually pretty chill but semi-crowded. It's a weekend (or week for some) to gather with friends and family out in the sandbox and spend time with each other. Most people will deep fry a turkey or make a feast for camp. A tradition that has been happening for 52 years is taking place again. The annual "waterpumper" hill climbs and drag races will be happening Friday and Saturday. The Dune Masters and Sandpipers clubs will be meeting again for another year! The schedule is as follows... The following events are only open to members of the club, but you are welcome to watch! Friday 10AM: Drags on the back stretch of the sand highway heading towards North Pole. Saturday 10AM: Hill Climbs on the left, steep side of Comp Hill Learn more about the history of the waterpumper.

October is finally here and that means dune season is about to start! This year I think many people are excited to get back out to the dunes even more than ever. With all the problems in the world right now and with 2020 being one of the biggest turd years of all, some sand therapy is much needed for everyone. Although there are still some new guidelines like social distancing that we must all follow this season, let's not forget the basics of dune etiquette & safety as well. Stay alive this year by wearing your safety equipment, having a spotter when jumping, watch out for each other, and put the keys away if you have been drinking. Those are just the basics. Dumont can be a dangerous place, but with a little common sense and responsibility, even one of the busiest weekends can be accident free. Please don't forget to keep your camp clean and pack out anything you bring in. Dumont does not have trash collection and a little housekeeping is everyone's duty. Get in the Halloween spirit and decorate your camp! Passes: Every vehicle entering Dumont Dunes needs to display a weekly or season pass. More info. Vendor Row: There will be NO FOOD VENDORS since the San Bernardino County Health Department is not allowing or issuing food vending permits at this time. Social distancing will be strictly enforced. Vendor row will be reconfigured from what you are used to seeing to allow for social distancing. Fires: As of October 13th, the fire ban is lifted, so campfires & BBQs are allowed with fire permit. Click here to get your fire permit for free. This is not something that is heavily or usually enforced, but technically its the law. Its best to get one just in case. Trick-or-Treating: In normal Dumont tradition, camp to camp trick-or-treating will likely still happen on Halloween night. Be prepared and stock up on candy. The Trunk or Treat is also still scheduled to take place at the south end of Vendor Row on Saturday, October 31, 2020 from 6 to 8pm. More info. Please follow the CDC guidelines and be responsible. Camp and Dune Responsibly: This includes staying home if you don't feel well, recreating/camping with only your household members, practicing social distancing by maintaining at least 6 feet of space between you and others using the site, regularly disinfecting frequently touch items, not sharing equipment unless it has been disinfected between users, and washing hands regularly/using hand sanitizer. There is plenty of space at Dumont for folks to stay socially distanced. This is very important this season. Dumont CAN get closed down if duners do not follow the guidelines. That actually happened at El Mirage earlier this year. Understand that the BLM is a government agency that manages Dumont Dunes and they must closely follow and enforce the CDC guidelines. So cut them some slack and don't take it out on them or the rangers. We're all dealing with this together and looking forward to a fun, safe dune season!

On March 12th, 2019, President Trump signed a bill that protects OHV users and ensures that Johnson Valley, Spangler Hills, El Mirage, Rasor, Dumont Dunes, and Stoddard Valley OHV areas can not be shut down by a future administration. This is great news for every OHV user of Dumont, especially those younger and future generations. "The California Desert Protection and Recreation Act is the culmination of over five years of work in Congress by Rep. Cook, as well as over a decade of work by supporters on the ground. This landmark legislation creates the first national system of Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation areas and designates or expands six Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Areas in the California desert. These are Johnson Valley, Spangler Hills, El Mirage, Rasor, Dumont Dunes, and Stoddard Valley. " Read More Source: https://cook.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/president-trump-signs-rep-cooks-public-lands-legislation

The 2017/2018 dune season has unofficially come to a close and there have already been a handful of days touching that 100-degree mark on the thermometer. This may make you unbolt your paddle tires and hit the lake instead. However, springtime at Dumont still offers many perfect-weather days to go out and enjoy the dunes. You can still catch a cool weekend if you watch the weather forecast. Many days have highs in the 80's and 90's. That sounds warm for the dunes, but what that means is beautiful mornings in the 60's and 70's. Wake up and be the only one making tracks in the sand then hang out in the shade or dip your feet in the Amargosa River (if there is water flowing of course). Then once the sun has cast some shadows the other direction, get another run or two in before enjoying a quiet night under the stars without any neighbors blasting their music or scaring your dogs away with their fireworks. My point is don't hang it up quite yet! If you are already having sand-withdrawals, there still is a cure. Just don't wait too long because before you know it, the overnight lows will be 105°. Take advantage of the empty, smooth dunes while you can. Keep in mind that while Memorial weekend is not considered a popular Dumont holiday weekend because of the warmer daytime highs, there are usually still some die-hard duners still making a weekend out of it. Get out there and shred! Tips for duning "out of season" Always bring water with you on dune runs Watch out for those "witch eyes", holes and shelves Never dune alone Bring other experienced duner friends A tow strap and spare parts that regularly break are always good insurance

Every March, the dune season at Dumont Dunes is winding down and coming to a close as temperatures begin to rise. The big holidays like Halloween and President's Weekend have come and gone. Dried up trash and remnants from the season linger in the creosote bushes surrounding the camp area. They weren't left there on purpose, but accidents happen and mother nature can blow these items out of camp without notice. Just like the morning after a big house party, the people who made the mess are long gone and it has since been forgotten about. Luckily Dumont still has a large group of people who call this place home. They take care of it like it is their own. Twenty years ago or so, a small group of duners started the cleanup. It was a grassroots effort with these types of caring people who got the ball rolling. Soon to follow, the non-profit group, Friends of Dumont Dunes, was formed. In conjunction with the Barstow BLM and the dedicated users of Dumont Dunes, the cleanup has become an annual tradition ever since. Picking up trash isn't anyone's favorite thing to do, but as a group effort and with the help of some generous sponsors, it has turned out to be a fun event where friends and family come together for a great cause. Volunteer Sign Up Motivated and helpful volunteers showed up at the ranger station at 8 AM to sign up, grab some trash bags and a wristband. Trash Collection Duners spent the morning cruising around camp on their quads, RZRs and, buggies cleaning the place up. The weather cooperated most of the morning with cool temperatures, but then the "W" came on strong and made things a little difficult. Winds whipped across the camp area making it a bit annoying. Jodi Knight, aka @sand chick, was posted up at the dumpster giving out raffle tickets for all trash bags that were turned in. She toughed it out and her time and participation were greatly appreciated. Lunchtime! With the huge gusts of wind, I was worried Jason would have trouble cooking up all that food for everyone. We headed over to the ranger station at noon and wouldn't you know it, Jason had already come up with a plan and had it covered. He blocked the wind with his trailer and moved the lunch assembly line into his enclosed trailer. This guy is unstoppable! We all jumped in and lent a hand where it was needed. Rather than the usual hotdogs, Jason cooked up over 100 lbs of tri-tip. This meant getting up at 5 AM to smoke the first batch of meat. With everyone's help, all the volunteers were fed! Lunch included a tri-tip sandwich, beans, corn, chips, and cookies. The area around the ranger station quickly became an offroad parking lot as everyone arrived! Quick Draw Thanks to some amazing sponsors, many prizes were donated and raffled off. This always adds a bit more fun and excitement to the day. Plaques were given out for the following... With a little help from Mother Nature, there was a break in the wind for a couple hours. Prizes were flying and smiles were everywhere. This is what it's all about, getting the dune community together for a good cause and having fun doing it. We're all in this together. Events like this don't happen without a group effort. Friends, family, and partners from all groups including Dumont Dune Riders, BLM, Friends of Dumont Dunes, and the users of Dumont Dunes joined forces to keep our playground clean. A big THANKS goes out to everyone who participated in the cleanup event! Special thanks to... Jason Ardenski, president of Friends of Dumont Dunes The Friends of Dumont Dunes Board Members The Barstow BLM Staff Kay & Tom Ardenski Jodi Knight & Mike Green Heather Siders & Jimmy Lynn John Slapper And of course, all of the kids that helped too (Alexis, Tatum, Libby, Amber & Gavin)! Quickdraw Prize Sponsors GTP Off Road - Las Vegas, NV W&J Subshops DBA: Subway - Victorville, CA Trasharoo - Forest Falls, CA AGP Evictions - Apple Valley, CA Impact Signs - Victorville, CA 5150 Whips - Hesperia, CA Poles & Holders - Santa Fe Springs, CA Jodi Knight - Las Vegas, NV Desertcraft - Victorville, CA 4 The Truck Customs & Accessories - Henderson, NV Ruggedmoosedecor.com - Las Vegas, NV Busymamadesigns.bigcartel.com - Apple Valley, CA Dynojet Research - Las Vegas, NV Season pass sponsors Raines Electric - Victorville, CA (1 pass) W&J Subshops DBA: Subway - Victorville, CA (2 passes) R-T Welding & Fabrication - Hesperia, CA (2 passes) Plaque sponsors DMS Crane Service, Inc. - Redlands, CA (2 plaques) AGP Evictions - Apple Valley, CA (1 plaque) Impact Signs - Victorville, CA (1 plaque) Plaques made by Action Trophy - La Habra, CA Additional Event Photos

It's that time of year again. Time to give back to the place we all love. Friends of El Mirage and the Barstow BLM invite you to the 15th Annual Dumont Dunes Cleanup March 18th, 2017. Round up your dune buddies and make a weekend out of it. Come lend a hand and help keep Dumont nice and clean, the way we all like it. Cleanup will begin at 8:00 AM and there will be a BLM/ Sub-group meeting open to the public. Lunch will be provided for all cleanup volunteers and will get a free entrance to Dumont Dunes that weekend. You must show your wristband upon exiting the dunes. Where: Dumont Dunes Visitor Center When: March 18, 2017. Check in at 8:00 AM Forum Discuission

The forecast of rain has raised some concerns for duners this year. Is it going to rain? Yes. Will the river crossing be ok to cross? Probably but we'll just have to wait and see. Usually it's fine unless it pours hard for a full day or more. Are the Jeep races still on? Yes. With a 90%-100% chance of rain on Friday and Saturday, there is no doubt that Dumont will see some rain. How much exactly? We just don't know until it starts to come down. They say 1/2 inch on Friday and 1/4 inch on Saturday, but the weather at Dumont sometimes has a mind of it's own. There have been many times when the forecast of rain has turned out to be sporadic sprinkles or passing showers. If you are on the fence about going this weekend, just go. Some of my best memories of Dumont have been in the rain or crappy weather. Have a little sense of adventure and go have some fun with your friends. You never know what you'll get into out there. Weekend Race Schedule Just because it's going to rain, its not stopping the LV Jeep Club from hosting their 45 Annual hill climbs and drag races. The LV Jeep Club has confirmed their races are a rain or shine event. So bring your umbrellas and EZ-UPs. Don't sit in the motorhome all day. Head over to the drag races and hill climbs on Saturday and Sunday. Friday: Registration & Tech 2pm-7pm, no races Saturday: Hill Climbs | Reg & Tech 7AM- 8:30am, racing starts at 9:30am Sunday: Drag Races | Reg & Tech 7AM- 8:30am, racing starts at 9:30am All times are subject to change Tips for Duning in the Rain Increase tire pressure. Wet sand means more traction. Don't be lugged down by wet sand. Increase your pressure to 15-25 psi for better performance and less load on your equipment. Bring a rain jacket or wind breaker. Just because it's wet out, doesn't mean you have to be. Careful in the corners! Those ruts can easily put you on your lid. Your machine won't slide as well when the sand is wet so act like you are driving on concrete. Don't Forget! tarps to cover your seats and firewood an EZ UP or canopy. Just because it will be raining doesn't mean you have to be cooped up inside card games or movies to watch booze and snacks! if you are stuck in the RV all day, you will need more of both! Weather Forecast and Conditions Follow our Latest Conditions & Dune Reports for live updates on the dunes and road conditions. Already out there? Submit one! Help us help you. This is a community driven site. Detailed Forecast on weather.com Camp Map Lost & Found Lose something? Find Something? Post it up and we'll share it on Facebook as well. http://www.dumontduneriders.com/invision/forum/9-stolen-lost-or-found/

One of the largest and most popular holiday weekends is coming to Dumont Dunes, President's Day Weekend. Since the early 70's, the Las Vegas Jeep Club has been hosting their annual Jeep Jamboree at Dumont. This event, consisting of hill climbs and drag races, has possibly been the sole reason so many duners have made it a weekend tradition for the last 45 years. Come out and watch some of the coolest Jeeps, trucks, dragsters and side x sides race at Dumont. More info here. President's Weekend is always hopping so don't forget to keep your head on a swivel and watch out for each other. Vendor Row should be full and Comp Hill is always lit at night. Be sure to stay legal because the rangers will be out in full force keeping everyone in check. If you need a refresher, here is a list of the rules. Holiday Passes are required from Feb 14 thru Feb 20, 2017. If you don't have a holiday season pass, you can purchase a $40 weekly holiday permit on site from the machine or you can grab one from a participating off-site vendor. See a full list here. If your OHV isn't registered in your home state, don't forget to grab a CA non-resident use permit sticker. Dune Mart on vendor row has them and the Dumont visitor center sometimes has them on hand. Everyone have a fun, safe weekend out there. As always, send us your dune reports and use the hasgtag #dumontduneriders on Instagram. We'll do our best to feature your photos!

Thanksgiving at Dumont is more than just a holiday weekend. It's a holiday week. Duners started rolling in as early as Sunday in preparation for the big holiday in the sandbox. The early birds were no turkeys for getting there before the crowds. The dunes were still in great shape and offered some great duning and tranquility. As the week went by, the dunes became more and more tracked out, but they were never super busy all at once. Thanksgiving may draw a large crowd, but it is usually spread out. Duners have the the long weekend to play so there is no rush to get out and pound the dunes like you see on weekends like Halloween or President's. There is plenty of time to relax or goof off in camp. By the time Thursday rolled around, the camp area was filling in, but was significantly less people than Halloween weekend. As seen from the dunes above, the Dune Masters and Sandpipers' camp was easy to spot. Every year they are, by far, one of the largest camps out there. Thursday was an extremely mellow day. After all, it was Thanksgiving! Feasts were prepped and turkeys were dropped in the cookers. The one thing about Thanksgiving that is unlike any other day at the dunes is the smell. You can literally drive through the camp area and smell all the food cooking. Once it was time to eat, camps sat down together in true Thanksgiving tradition. Those turkey comas didn't stop some duners from having fun though. Unfortunately, Friday morning started off with a Blackhawk medevac hovering over the dunes behind Banshee Hill. There was a bad accident with a truck crashing and landing upside down in the early morning hours. Full story here, http://www.dumontduneriders.com/news/truck-crashes-in-dunes-requiring-rescue-thanksgiving-weekend-r103/ There were a bunch of duners in the dunes on Friday making for some tracked out dunes. Some chose to avoid the rutted sand by kicking back at Comp Hill to watch the annual waterpumper hill climbs hosted by the DuneMasters and Sandpipers Club. As mentioned earlier, there wasn't quite as much action as Halloween weekend, but there was still that Dumont holiday buzz in the air. It's a wonderful sound. Once the sun went down, the party began. Fireworks and lights lit the camp area up. Saturday's great weather allowed for some more fun in the sun. The waterpumpers drew quite the crowd along the back stretch of sand highway for the sand drags. As the day wound down, the weather kicked up. Someone must have mentioned that W word! Around 5PM, 50-60+ mph gusts came up out of nowhere, whipping through camp forcing duners to retreat to their trailers and RVs. Many people got caught right in the middle of it while they were out in the dunes and at vendor row when it hit. Getting back to camp was a challenge since it was a complete white out! There was almost zero visibility but everyone managed to get back safely one way or another. Then just as quickly as the "W" came, it subsided. It only lasted a few hours. Shortly after 9PM, flags were barely dancing in the breeze. As duners cautiously made their way back outside, they got their campfires built back up to stay warm. Sunday morning was epic. Mother nature had smoothed out the hammered dunes. The skies were blue, but not for long. Partially cloudy skies quickly turned into ominous clouds and the storm made a comeback. And just like that, the beautiful morning turned into another sand storm. That's Dumont for ya! It just goes to chow how quickly the weather can change out there. That's a wrap for Thanksgiving Weekend 2016. Hopefully everyone had a great weekend. Thanks to all of those who submitted the great photos, videos, and updates from your weekend. Thanksgiving 2016 Community Album http://www.dumontduneriders.com/invision/gallery/category/27-thanksgiving-2016/ Post Your Trip Reports and Photos

Hop on board with pilot and You Tuber, Henry TrikeLife, as he takes us over some of the beautiful gems of Death Valley in his REVO "Yellow Jacket" trike. He shows us a unique perspective of Dumont Dunes and the surrounding areas such as the China Ranch Date Farm, Tecopa Hot Springs and more. It's interesting to see what these places look like from up above. Henry did a great job with all those camera angles and editing. Looked like it was a gorgeous day to be up there. For an exciting demo flight in his trike, give him a call at (509) 280-0163 or visit his website. http://www.introflights.com Here's some interesting facts about Henry's aircraft Trike: REVO "Yellow Jacket" (Evolution Aircraft Inc.) Category: Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA), Weight-shift Control, registered with FAA Wing: Rival S 12.4 sq meters with electric trim speed adjustment Trim Speed Range: 65 to 95 mph (105 to 153 km/h) Stall Speed: 50 mph (81 km/h) Flight Duration: 4 hours (2.5 to 3 gallon/hour) Range: 300 miles (483 km) Altitude Limit: 10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet above terrain (Sport Pilot License limit) Engine: ROTAX 912ULS 100 hp. Fuel: Auto gas (octane rate higher than 91) or Avgas 100LL Fuel Tank Capacity: 14 gallons (53 liters) License Required to operate in US: Sport Pilot license for Weight-shift control land referenced from: https://www.youtube.com/user/henry253/about

When dogs get lost out at Dumont, we sometimes never hear what happen to them. This dog, however, has a different story. One warm afternoon he was spotted by Cecilia, a woman traveling down HWY 127 on her way back home to San Diego. The dog, Hawkeye, was out there for days. He was wandering near the road in a state of confusion. Cecilia rescued him and put him up in her truck. His paws had signs of burns from the hot asphalt. She looked for a collar or tag, but there wasn't one. So she quickly snapped a pic and turned to social media in hopes of finding his owner. She didn't hear anything at first, but the word spread like wildfire. Eventually she found the owner. Brian, a resident from Pahrump, had been in a rollover accident on HWY127 and Hawkeye was thrown from the vehicle. The dog was obviously in shock and had gotten lost when he ran from the scene. Cecilia and Brian made arrangements for him to return home. Brian's car was totaled from the accident, but luckily him and Hawkeye were ok. It's good to see people helping people and that things turned happy in the end. Great job, Cecilia!

A traffic light? In Baker? No, it doesn't mean Baker is booming enough to need one. It is simply being installed in front of the Baker Travel Center on Baker Blvd at Caltrans Avenue because it is a cheaper alternative for the gas station owner than the traffic mitigation fee already imposed by San Bernardino County. Apparently there was already an agreement for the owner to install the traffic light in order to get the business permit for the station. Because of Baker's remote location and lack of contractors to get the work done on time, it has taken 4 years for this to finally happen. So hopefully this traffic light doesn't back things up getting to Dumont. Only southbound I15 travelers from Vegas would go through this light as they get into Baker. CA vistors would not be affected. Just thought we'd spread the "breaking Baker news" with the community. forum discussion, http://www.dumontduneriders.com/invision/index.php?showtopic=20688

MINNEAPOLIS (April 19, 2016) Polaris Industries (NYSE: PII) jointly announced with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, today, that the company is voluntarily recalling certain RZR 900 and 1000 off-road vehicles manufactured since model year 2013 due to reports of thermal-related incidents, including fires. Detailed information about the recall is available at www.polaris.com/rzr-recall. Polaris conducted a thorough investigation to pinpoint the root causes and put forward a comprehensive solution to address them. "One of our foremost guiding principles is Safety and Ethics Always," said Scott W. Wine, Chairman and CEO, Polaris. "We know that the foundation of a good ride is a safe ride, and we have been proactive, aggressive and thorough in putting forth a plan to get our vehicles repaired and give us and our customers confidence in the safety of our RZR vehicles." All affected vehicle owners will be asked to contact a dealer to schedule a complimentary service appointment, which should take approximately one hour. Polaris is working quickly to source the necessary parts and is allocating parts daily to dealers as they become available. Dealers will schedule appointments subject to parts availability. "We are working day and night to inform our customers and dealers and to obtain the parts needed for the repairs we identified in our comprehensive analysis," said Wine. "We apologize for the inconvenience to our customers as we work to ensure all the systemic thermal risks we identified are eliminated from our vehicles." Polaris has already begun implementation of its Corrective Action Plan and has made manufacturing updates in new-production vehicles. Polaris also plans to include a warning on new-production vehicles instructing riders not to carry fuel and other flammable liquids in their vehicles, and cautions against carrying flammable liquids in previously produced models. About Polaris Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) is a global powersports leader with annual 2015 sales of $4.7 billion. Polaris fuels the passion of riders, workers and outdoor enthusiasts with our RANGER®, RZR® and POLARIS GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; our SPORTSMAN® and POLARIS ACE® all-terrain off-road vehicles; VICTORY® and INDIAN MOTORCYCLE® midsize and heavyweight motorcycles; SLINGSHOT® moto-roadsters; and Polaris RMK®, INDY®, SWITCHBACK® and RUSH® snowmobiles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with parts, garments and accessories sold under multiple recognizable brands, and has a growing presence in adjacent markets globally with products including military and commercial off-road vehicles, quadricycles, and electric vehicles. www.polaris.com

It's almost time for Halloween! That means the kids (and adults) of Dumont will be dressing up and getting into the Halloween spirit. Expect to see duners riding and driving around all weekend in costumes and funny wigs. Some even decorate their sand toys and toyhaulers. Remember the Kia Hamster-mobile last year? Just wait until you see what they have built this time. Expect to see it at comp hill and around camp all weekend. Saturday the trick-or-treating tradition continues as little ghosts, witches, and who knows what else shows up at your camp so don't forget a bowl of candy! Most of all, let's everyone have a safe weekend. Take a little extra caution when cruising around the camp area and dunes. There will be alot of people out there.

Saturday night the rain came down hard at Dumont. It came down so hard that it woke alot of people up. The storms have been on and off all weekend, but in between there were enough breaks in the weather to allow for some very rare duning conditions. For example the featured photo was taken by Tess Roussin while out on a ride in her Polaris RZR. A rainbow over the dunes is quite a sight! Thanks for posting the photo, Tess. It really proves that Dumont is a pot of gold.

Help keep Dumont the clean, fun, place that we all love and enjoy. It's time to give back. Show some support and come out Saturday, March 14th for the Dumont Cleanup. This event is provided by the Barstow BLM. They will have their trailer there stocked with trash bags and will be providing a large dumpster so we don't have to haul the trash home ourselves. It starts at 8AM. The earlier the start the better because it tends to start getting warm that time of year at Dumont. The location of the dumpster and BLM will most likely be across from bathroom 10. That is where it has always been. This year's cleanup is just that. There won't be a raffle or lunch. It is merely to keep the tradition of the cleanup going and keep our dunes clean. Forum discussion: http://www.dumontduneriders.com/invision/index.php?showtopic=20033

Check out X Games Medalist, Ronner Renner, as he makes a stop at Dumont Dunes to do a little freeriding on 2 wheels! http://www.redbull.com/us/en/motorsports/offroad/episodes/1331710732622/moto-soul-freedom-on-two-wheels-trailer-ep2-free-soul photo credit: Sand spray© schran.net