dunefreak

Last week heavy rains near Dumont Dunes caused flash flooding on highway 127 causing the road to be filled with dirt, rock and debris. The road was impassable and was closed in both directions. Crews worked quickly to get it reopened on Aug 30th but mother nature had different plans. More heavy rain on Sept 1st came and flooded the road again. This time some some motorists were trapped for hours. John Edington reported his friend got caught in it that night just north of Baker and didn't make it to dry ground until 3:00. Crews will be working on getting it reopened asap. We'll update you as soon as it gets reopened, but check with Caltrans for the absolute latest. Closures are also usually updated pretty quickly on Google Maps Traffic layer. (featured photo: Michael Battaglia, photo below: John Edington) photo 9/2/23: Debbie Baker 9/5/23 UPDATE The brand new Dumont entrance road is fine and so is the river crossing. It's just a ~9'x24' section of highway 127 near the little dunes that is badly damaged. The 127 remains closed from Shoshone to Baker until the highway is repaired.

There has been some talk about postponing Buggy Roundup this year because of the highway closure from Baker to Dumont, BUT...(UPDATE) highway 127 is set to open Dec 4th with one-way pilot car escorts each direction! We still plan on having a SECOND Buggy Roundup at the end of the season when the road is fully completed, but for now the original date is still on for Dec 8-10, 2023. We are planning on the same good times we always have with cars & coffee, a small raffle, TACOS for lunch and even more DUNE TIME this year. So if you have a buggy or just want to be part of the fun, come out and join us. Please RSVP so we know to expect you. What is Buggy Roundup? The Buggy Roundup is an annual Dumont trip when all the sandcar people are invited to come out and camp together as a group. We'll be camped together across from bathroom 10, just off the right side of the entrance road. This trip gives the buggy guys and girls of Dumont a chance to meet each other and run the dunes together for a full weekend without the crowds. So don't be a stranger. Every year we have new people join the camp and end up leaving as friends. Schedule-ish There is no set schedule of events, but it will likely go something like this... Arrive as early as you'd like. Some get there as early as Tues or Wed. Just don't go hard and break your car before the weekend! Friday Group rides: Link up and get some group rides going. Saturday 8:00 AM -~9 AM: Sandcars and Coffee: Pull your car into the center of camp. (Or park it there the night before) Feel free to bring out some donuts or breakfast treats to contribute if you'd like. Just don't go nuts. Grab a coffee, say good morning to everyone, and check out all the buggies. This gives everyone a chance to wake up and get the day started. We'll also have raffle tickets for some prizes that we'll be giving away later in the day so come to the tent in the middle of camp to grab yours. 10 AM Group Ride: Join the group as we form the biggest train of buggies you've ever seen. We'll do a full dune run (slow to medium paced cruise) from the south end all the way through the dunes to the north pole. 12 noon: We'll be cooking up some carne & pollo asada tacos fur everyone thanks to Jeremy Burt at Roadrunner Powersports. Saturday Afternoon: The rest of the day will include giveaways and more group dune runs! The raffle prizes will be given out around lunch time. Camp Location Buggy Roundup/ Camp Rules Those that wish to camp with the group for Buggy Roundup must agree to the rules set by us, Dumont Dune Riders. 1) Don't be a d*ck! We've never had an issue with anyone at buggy roundup, but we will not tolerate any BS. We are there to have a fun weekend of duning and hanging out with each other. You will be asked to leave camp if you cause problems. 2) No loud music. We all love to have a good time and party, but please be respectful of others in camp. We cram alot of RVs into one place and all have different tastes in music. 3) Unsafe driving or behavior will not be tolerated. This includes no passing on group rides unless you can do it extremely safe while giving that person plenty of room (ie: cut an entire dune to do it. Don't catch them by surprise.) 4) No side x sides in the group rides, photos or Sandcars and Coffee. We get asked this every year so I feel I need to say it. If you have a side x side, you are not UNinvited. If you love buggies, you can absolutely come out and camp with us. Please just understand and respect that this is a annual event for buggies. Want in? Here's what you need to do. 1) Log into DDR and click GOING on this event page. 2) Bring your buggy to Dumont and join in on the fun. Don't be a stranger. Park with the group. If you don't know anyone, just ask for PETE That's it! Bring your buggy and a fun attitude and it'll be an awesome weekend in the sand. Video from last year

Halloween weekend: October 27-29, 2023 Halloween weekend is the official kickoff of the 2023/24 season and will take place the last weekend in October (27-29). The Dumont tradition of camp to camp trick-or-treating will be Saturday night so bring your costumes, decorations and candy to hand out! Dune safe and have a great time in the sand.

Dune season ain't over yet! Look at that weather forecast! https://www.dumontduneriders.com/invision/weather/

It seems most people are done with dune season already, but if you take a look at the weather forecast, it tells a different story! Usually we see temperatures well into the 80s by now, but we're barely hitting the mid to upper 70's at Dumont. Easter weekend (April 8-9) is coming up. It's not a popular one and rarely do you ever see a crowd out there, but if you are heading out you might just see some color out there. Take a ride out to the outskirts of the dunes and if there is a bloom, you might be surprised how many flowers are popping up. Dumont weather forecast Check out some recent superbloom photos at Dumont...

There will be a Dumont cleanup held on St Patrick's Day weekend, March 18th at 8AM. Roadrunner Powersports will provide a free barbecue lunch consisting of hot dogs, hamburgers, & basic side dishes in addition to water and sports drinks for hydration. Barstow BLM will provide the dumpster, trash bags, and tools. Bring plenty of friends, sunscreen and whatever you plan on driving around Dumont to help clean up the best dunes on Earth!