Location: Baker
Top Things to do in Baker
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Top 5 Things to do in Baker, United States
Baker is a census-designated place located in San Bernardino County, California, US. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 735. Baker's ZIP Code is 92309 and the community is within area codes 442 and 760.
Restaurants in Baker
1. Alien Fresh Jerky
Overall Ratings
4 based on 210 reviews
Reviewed By dwolff517 - Elk Grove Village, Illinois
Very good beef jerky. Expensive bit seems to be the going rate. My issue was they have all these signs along US 15 to text to get a coupon. I did so and when I got there there was no link sent to me so they wouldn't give me the dollar off. The cashier seriously couldn't figure out how to make it right after I just spent $56?
2. World's Tallest Thermometer
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 279 reviews
Reviewed By David K
Baker is a one stoplight town that is a kool stop. Check out n take a pic next to the worlds tallest thermometer n then stop n get some GREAT jerky at the Alien shop. It will take 15-20 minutes and you see the whole town. Must stop once.
3. Ibex Dunes
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By N4595KRricharde - Fort Myers Beach, Florida
This is a hidden gem that is best left for the hardiest of travelers. Far off the beaten path, away from most tourists clamoring for some quick stops, these pristine dunes are located in a remote part of Southern Death Valley in the Mojave Desert near Baker, California.
Nestled between an old talc mine to the East and Saratoga Springs to the West, these dunes provide a stark contrast in a beautiful little valley with relatively flat desert terrain.
To the West, verdant hills; to the East the dunes. In the middle is a volcanic debris field that comprises the valley floor between the hills and the dunes.
To access this valley from inside the main part of Death Valley/Furnace Creek, you have to go to Badwater/Devil's Golf Course in Death Valley and take Badwater Road all the way down to Saratoga Springs Road to the South, then head East on Saratoga Springs Road until you come to a T intersection, where you turn North or Left and go another 2 miles. In your final leg to Saratoga Springs, you will cross the mighty Amargosa River which trickles through there. You come to another T in the road. To the left is Saratoga Springs which rounds a hill which you may or may not be able to go around depending on how rainy its been and whether the road is washed out. To the right is the valley where you will see Ibex Dunes.
These roads are very difficult and are suitable for four wheel drive with high clearance in many places. Even if you can make it, its a kidney-jarring ride, slow going and forces you to drive at a crawl in most places. You will cross some areas that are muddy and require power to cross. There will be pot holes and boulders. This is why its best left to the hardiest of the bunch because its intentionally hard to get to.
You have to kind of shimmy up that road till you see a low slung sign. That sign warns you that only foot and horse traffic is permitted. That is where you park and start hiking.
If you are coming in from Baker, CA to the South, or Shoshone, CA from the North, take CA 127 to the Harry Wade Exit. The Harry Wade Exit is located about a half mile North of the Salt Creek Hills ACEC hiking area. You will see the Harry Wade Exit as there is a monument there. As a side note, Harry Wade and his family were heading through Death Valley and got lost along with the rest of their party. Though the others perished, Harry Wade's wife and children did not. Word has it that the wife basically told Harry to go and find a way out. So he did. Of course she also intimated that if he didn't find a way out, not to come back, and I suppose that was his "out". However, he had to go back to get the kids. So for what its worth ... the wife got thrown back into that mix and of course that's his business anyway and the whole family made it out. What happened after that is lost to the dustbin of history.
Take Harry Wade Exit/Road to Saratoga Springs Road (its the same road that turns right to the North so you won't be confused as there is only 1 road Harry Wade/Saratoga Springs no matter).
There is another way in from the North near Ibex Pass on CA 127 near the power station. Its a service road that is named Jubilee Pass Road which comes off of Badwater as well. However that one may be washed out. That will put you on CA 127 to the North of Harry Wade Exit. However, note that you will have a long drive to the exit anyway. Then you're coming in the same way as I mentioned.
Now this is kind of important. You won't be able to see your car once you get far off into the distance. The Dunes are AT LEAST a mile away from that point. There are no marked trails. You will have to sight your parking, take some bearings and hopefully you'll have a compass with you. Its easy to get lost when there are no marked trails. I use the highest hill directly to the West of the area where you park, and the highest dune to the East. That should be a straight line about 220 or 225 degrees on your compass if you're pointing to magnetic North.
The terrain is flat and rocky. If you love geology you'll find all sorts of neat rocks from flagstone to azures to pyroclastic type rocks, to petrified wood, sandstone and all sorts of stuff. The hike is a bit long. I booked it on out and it took about an hour. Then again I stopped and shot photos. The way back is about 30-40 minutes. You may find yourself zigzagging towards the dunes because of the contour of the land.
The NPS makes it hard to get to and even hike to and from the dunes to keep as many people out as possible. It is open to hikers but just barely. The best part about this place is there are few signs of humans crossing. Other than an old oil drum that has been rusted for decades and a tin can, there was nothing more than the land and its natural contents. The dunes are beautiful and pristine and quiet. If you go up the dunes and come down, the sand makes some interesting noises.
It can be windy. There's a lot to see and you can hike around the back or over the top, which takes some time. There is a steep slope to the dunes so be careful. The saddle ridge to the South leads to the talc mine.
I enjoyed this hike very much, and was doubly blessed to "own" the valley all by myself.
4. Dumont Dunes OHV park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By BCRON - Boulder City, Nv
Made a run out to Dumont Dunes the other night as I was stuck working out of Baker and needed some time to kill. It's about 40 miles west of Baker on the way to Death Valley. I could see the attraction if you are into Off Road areas. As California has shut down most of the desert thanks to Senator Feinstein and her Nazi brigade of BLM Jack Boots.
I know of lots of people that go out to "THE Dunes" from the Vegas area and they love it. I can not see the attraction of going there especially on a Holiday weekend as it is so packed with people and "Law Enforcement" that you have very little freedom and probably will not get any sleep as the Partying goes on 24 hours a day.
I was told it is $30 a vehicle for the week and more if it has one of 6 holidays but not sure how much the extra cost is. They also sell yearly passes with the 2 options but again do not know the cost. And the costs are per vehicle, So if you have a motor home and a razer and a couple of quads it would be times 4 and from what I have been told the BLM checks that you have a pass on every one.
It is quite dusty out there and there are only a few Outhouses. Be sure to bring lots of water and any and all food you need as there are no facilities there and Baker is very limited on supplies.
Would I go there? No I 4 wheel about 6 hours a day for work and it is enough for me. For my own wheeling time with my jeep there are lots of better places to go that aren't as crowded. Would I recommend it? Yes if you are into large crowded areas with lots of rules that are enforced by BLM and San Bernardino SD. I guess you can view lots of different machines out there. Also as I said it is Very Dusty.Now, if you buy a pass near a holiday week, the sales person may ask what days you are going out. For example, if you buy a pass Jan 10, a 7 day pass would include several "holiday days". If you were only going out for the non-holidays, such as Jan 10-12, the salesperson may date the pass for Jan 10-Jan 13 to avoid the Jan 14 - Jan 20 holiday period. This would allow you to buy a $30 pass as you would not be at the dunes during a holiday. If you wanted the pass for the full 7 days it would include holiday days so you would need a $40 pass.
You need a pass for each vehicle driven into the dunes---not for your trailer and green sticker vehicles in your truck or trailer, but only for the primary vehicle you drive in with when you enter and exit. All passes must display your last name and the license plate number of your vehicle.
Passes can not be given to someone else. Passes may be taken
Up date I was wrong on costs, See Below:
Prices were for 2009 but was told same only holiday dates are different
Important Information about Dumont Dunes Passes Annual Passes purchased during the month of September are $10 off
Regular weekly passes are $30.
Holiday weekly passes are $40.
Annual passes are available from BLM for $90 or $120. A $90 pass does not include holidays so a holiday upgrade must be purchased for $10 for each holiday week.
Passes are good for 7 days, but if you will be at Dumont for any of the following holiday dates you will need a holiday pass October 29- Nov 4 Nov 25 - Dec 1
Dec 30 - Jan 5 2009 Jan 14-20
Feb 11-17
5. Cinder Cones, Lava Flows, and Lava Tube
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By TryppAdams - Minneapolis, Minnesota
This area of the Mojave deserves your visit. I took a detour about 30 minutes down a a dirt road to the lava tube. Along the way I enjoyed the multicolored cinder cones and saw a desert tortoise on the side of the road, so stopped to snap a picture. The lava tube is a ways back and you will find a small parking lot. There were a few people there, but parking was easy in the morning. I made my way a few hundred yards up to the lava tube entrance where you climb down a steal ladder. It wasn't to obvious which way to go and I didn't have a light or headlamp so crouched down and made my way through the tube a bit, scrapping my back along the way. The lava tube quickly opened up into a sunny big room lit by a hole in the ceiling. This portion of my Mojave trip was about an hour off the road and back and totally worth it!
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