April is a wonderful month to be in Baker. Flowers are blooming, snow is melting up in the mountains, and the temperatures are very comfortable. Visitors are coming, and the town is reawakening from its winter slumber. The Great Basin Café will be opening mid-month at the Lehman Caves Visitor Center under new management. Check the May installment for more info about what they’re offering.
The Magic Bean coffee cart will also be opening in April. Locals have gone all winter without their special caffeine fix, so it will be great to see it come back.
The Stargazer Inn and Kerouac’s Restaurant and Bar will be opening in April. This is at the site of the old Silverjack Inn and Lectrolux Café. Jack Cerese and Kate Claeys left New York City to begin a new life in Baker. They are excited to bring their energy to this project. The Stargazer Inn opens April 7. Rooms have been refurbished and have a fresh look. Kerouac’s Restaurant will offer classic American food with a fresh take. Most of the food offered will be made from scratch, and there will be vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options included. The restaurant is expected to open the end of the month. For reservations or more information visit the Stargazer Inn website.
As the snow melts, the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is opening further up the mountain. The road is usually not open to the Wheeler Peak Campground until after Memorial Day weekend. Lower campgrounds will open throughout the month. Great hikes include Pole Canyon, Timber Creek, and the Snake Creek area. If you’d like to take a tour of Lehman Caves, book early, as number of tours are limited and they can fill up fast. Other fun things to do in the area in April are visit Crystal Peak, Crystal Ball Cave, and Gandy Warm Springs. These are just over the border in Utah.
For more info about all the amenities, in the area, click here.
— Gretchen Baker
Check out Gretchen’s fabulous outdoor adventure blog, Desert Survivor!
