Comp Hill and big open bowls off the road to Death Valley — the winter proving ground between Vegas and the coast crowds.
Comp Hill and big open bowls off the road to Death Valley — the winter proving ground between Vegas and the coast crowds.
A naturally aspirated engine loses roughly 3% of its power for every thousand feet of elevation — thinner air, less oxygen, less burn. Here is what that means at Dumont Dunes, machine by machine:
| Machine | Rated | At ~2,700 ft | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polaris RZR Pro R | 225 hp | ~207 hp | −8% |
| Can-Am Maverick R | 240 hp | ~221 hp | −8% |
| Can-Am Maverick X3 | 200 hp | ~184 hp | −8% |
| Polaris Xpedition | 114 hp | ~105 hp | −8% |
| Yamaha YXZ 1000R | 112 hp | ~103 hp | −8% |
Standard atmospheric derate, naturally aspirated. A supercharged machine holds manifold pressure as the air thins — boost pays the elevation tax for you.
Paddles and long pulls. Summer is off the table; the sand gets kiln-hot.
Put the power back →Conditions, fees and access change — always check the official Dumont Dunes page before you haul. Elevation approximate; derate figures are standard atmospheric math, not dyno claims.