There’s something special about watching the Sierra Nevada change after sunset. The crowds disappear, temperatures cool, and familiar trails take on an entirely different personality. Granite glows under moonlight, nighttime sounds replace daytime chatter, and it’s not uncommon to spot wildlife that remains hidden during daylight hours. Night hiking can be an incredible experience, but … Read more
Hidden Sierra Nevada Adventures: Exploring Owens Valley Beyond the Guidebooks July 7, 2026 • Charlie Pankey Most visitors experience Owens Valley from Highway 395. They stop in Bishop for lunch, drive through Lone Pine, admire Mount Whitney from the road, and continue north toward Mammoth Lakes. But according to photographer, backpacker, mountain biker, and off-road … Read more
A weekend full of adventure possibilities in the Eastern Sierra Traveling into the Owens Valley from the north, I have often viewed Bishop and the Eastern Sierra through the lens of Highway 395 — a place of big views, high trailheads, fishing water, and familiar stops on the way to somewhere wild. But a recent … Read more
Discover the stunning landscapes of Yuba Pass, where every twist and turn unveils breathtaking views. This scenic drive is a must for any adventure seeker. The Historical Significance of Yuba Pass Yuba Pass is not just a route to traverse but a journey through history. This scenic byway has witnessed the footsteps of Native American … Read more
After months of waiting, our first real camping trip of 2026 finally happened. Our first attempt earlier this spring in Oregon ended before it ever really began, so I was more than ready to spend a couple of nights outdoors. This time our destination was Swift Creek Campground on beautiful Baker Lake, with Mount Baker … Read more
The Sierra Nevada is one of the most rewarding freshwater fishing destinations in the United States. Stretching across California and parts of Nevada, this mountain range offers crystal-clear lakes, rushing rivers, peaceful streams, and countless opportunities to catch trout and other freshwater species. Whether you are planning your first fishing trip or looking to build … Read more
If you’ve only driven through Siskiyou County on Interstate 5, you’ve barely scratched the surface. In this episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, Charlie sits down with AJ Brown from Discover Siskiyou to explore one of California’s most overlooked outdoor destinations. From the iconic slopes of Mount Shasta to 89 alpine lakes, hidden waterfalls, … Read more
Planning to celebrate Independence Day at Lake Tahoe? From fireworks and beach access to new boating rules and alcohol restrictions, here’s everything you should know before heading to the lake this holiday weekend. Lake Tahoe Will Be Extremely Busy The Fourth of July is traditionally one of the busiest weekends of the year around Lake … Read more
What makes Shaver Lake one of California’s most underrated mountain destinations? In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie sits down with Lindsey Chargin and Michelle McGee from the Shaver Lake community to explore one of the Sierra Nevada’s most diverse outdoor recreation hubs. From boating, fishing, and sailing on Shaver Lake and Huntington Lake … Read more
There are mountain towns that feel busy. Then there are mountain towns that feel like summer. When I first spotted Shaver Lake on a map while exploring backroads through the Sierra Nevada, it reminded me of the communities I grew up around in Central Oregon. Places built around lake days, trail adventures, campfires, and evenings … Read more
What is it about the mountains that keeps calling us back? In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie Pankey sits down with backpacker, fly fisherman, and creator behind Juan Backpacks, Juan Veruete, for a conversation about the Sierra Nevada and the experiences that continue to draw us into the wilderness year after year. Juan … Read more
Why do we keep coming back to the mountains? That simple question shaped one of the most thoughtful conversations we’ve had on Sierra Rec Now. This week, Charlie Pankey sits down with backpacker, fly fisherman, and creator behind Juan Backpacks , Juan Veruete, to discuss the John Muir Trail, the Tahoe Rim Trail, ultralight backpacking, … Read more
Part of what I love about Sierra Rec is that it gives me an excuse to always be testing something outdoors. Whether it’s backpacking gear deep in the Sierra, trying a new piece of equipment at a local campground, or experimenting with ways to make family camping easier, every trip becomes a bit of a … Read more
Planning your first boating trip on Lake Tahoe? You’ll have an amazing time on this pristine, magical lake, but make sure you know and follow these rules.
This week on Sierra Rec Now, Charlie Pankey travels into the heart of California’s Sierra National Forest to uncover the story of the Jesse Ross Cabin—a remarkable hand-hewn log cabin built around 1860 during the Gold Rush era. Joining the show is Aaron Smith of HistoriCorps, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving historic places through … Read more
Few experiences in the Sierra Nevada are as powerful as stumbling across an old cabin tucked into the forest and wondering who built it, who lived there, and what life looked like in these mountains long before modern trails and recreation. This summer, outdoor enthusiasts have a rare opportunity to do more than simply admire … Read more
Now Accepting Merino Wool Base Layers from Any Brand Previously limited to Minus33 items, consumers can send in any base layer containing at least 50% merino wool, giving products one last lifesaving use ASHLAND, New Hampshire (May 27, 2026) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ — Minus33, a merino wool apparel brand created by textile engineers from L.W. Packard & … Read more
What happens when you trade crowded viewpoints for remote lakes, star-filled skies, and unforgettable nights in the wilderness? In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie Pankey sits down with Kara Maceross of Lasting Adventures to explore some of the best backpacking experiences in Yosemite National Park, Olympic National Park, and Sequoia National Park. Kara … Read more
For many visitors, Yosemite National Park begins and ends in Yosemite Valley. They’ll marvel at Half Dome, photograph Yosemite Falls, and spend a few unforgettable days exploring one of America’s most iconic national parks. But according to Yosemite guide Kara Maceross of Lasting Adventures , the real magic often begins when you leave the pavement … Read more
Every June, riders test themselves against 155 miles, 16,000 feet of climbing, and some of the most spectacular scenery in the Sierra Nevada. Most visitors experience Kaiser Pass from behind the windshield. They wind through the pine forests above Shaver Lake, stop at scenic overlooks, and marvel at the rugged beauty of California’s high country. … Read more
When people think about California National Parks, Yosemite, Sequoia, and Joshua Tree usually dominate the conversation. Yet tucked away in Northern California is a park many travelers have never explored—one filled with steaming geothermal features, volcanic landscapes, alpine lakes, wildlife, and surprisingly few crowds. On this week’s episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, I … Read more
Discover why Lassen Volcanic National Park may be one of California’s most overlooked summer adventures. This week on Sierra Rec Now, I sit down with Sharon Roberts from St. Bernard Lodge to talk about planning a Lassen getaway, hidden road-trip stops, family travel ideas, wildlife, geothermal wonders, and why this region deserves a place on … Read more
Mountain music, pine forest camping, Gold Rush history, and one of California’s most enduring Sierra traditions. For years I’ve driven through Grass Valley on my way to Sierra adventures. Like many people, I usually thought about the historic downtown, the Gold Rush roots, maybe a stop along Highway 49, or cooling off in the Yuba … Read more
For more than 50 years, one of California’s most unique mountain traditions has been quietly bringing families, musicians, campers, and outdoor travelers together in the Sierra foothills. This week on Sierra Rec Now, Charlie sits down with Pete Ludé of the California Bluegrass Association to explore the 51st Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival in Grass Valley, … Read more
Tioga Pass is finally opening for the season, reopening one of the most incredible drives into Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada High Country. But for Sierra Rec Magazine publisher Charlie Pankey, Tioga Pass has always been more than just a road into Yosemite. It’s the gateway to a completely different version of Yosemite. … Read more
Why Tioga Pass feels like a completely different way to experience Yosemite National Park. Every year when Tioga Pass opens for the season, something shifts in the Sierra Nevada. The mountains suddenly feel connected again. Backpacking trailheads reopen. Snow-lined roads begin winding back into the high country. Tuolumne Meadows slowly wakes up after another long … Read more
There’s something special about the old cabins hidden throughout the Sierra Nevada. The hand-hewn logs. The stories buried in the walls. The reminder that generations before us survived in places many of us now only visit for adventure. This summer, volunteers have a chance to help preserve one of the Sierra’s oldest surviving log structures. … Read more
Every spring, when Ebbetts Pass opens for the season, Charlie Pankey feels the pull to go. For nearly a decade, opening weekend on Highway 4 has become a personal Sierra tradition—driving through lingering snowfields, roaring seasonal waterfalls, narrow cliffside roads, alpine meadows, and hidden pullouts that most travelers drive right past. In this episode of … Read more
Snowfields, hidden waterfalls, Pacific Creek, Kinney Lakes, and one of the wildest scenic drives in the Sierra Nevada. Every year when Ebbetts Pass opens for the season, I feel the pull to go. Not because I have some big objective or adventure planned. Honestly, most years it’s just a classic Sierra “dink around day.” A … Read more
Spring in the Sierra is never predictable—and that’s exactly what makes it special. In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie Pankey breaks down what’s happening right now across the Sierra Nevada as the scenic passes begin to open… and close again. Sonora Pass is officially open, while Tioga Pass and Ebbetts Pass are still … Read more
Most people don’t realize this until after they’ve driven it once: Sonora Pass Highway 108 out of Sonora California isn’t just a scenic drive… it’s a sequence of moments. The problem is, if you don’t know where those moments are, you’ll drive right past them. I did. More than once. So if you’re heading up … Read more
Sonora Pass Is Open: What to Expect Driving the Sierra Right Now Every year in the Sierra, there’s a moment when everything starts to come back to life. The roads that have been buried all winter begin to open. Snowbanks line the edges of the pavement. Waterfalls start pouring off granite walls. The rivers rise, … Read more
There’s something about spring in the Sierra that pulls you outside—and sometimes, it pulls you straight into a crowd with a bowl of chili in hand and a cold drink to wash it down. That’s exactly what’s happening May 16–17 as the 44th Annual Chili on the Comstock returns to Virginia City. This isn’t just … Read more
There’s a moment every spring in the Sierra when winter loosens its grip—but refuses to go quietly. The snow softens, the sun sticks around a little longer, and the mountains trade powder days for something a little more… entertaining. That moment is here. On Saturday, May 2, the 34th Annual Cushing Crossing returns to Palisades … Read more
If you’ve ever woken up in the backcountry—whether it’s in Yosemite, the Emigrant Wilderness, or somewhere deep in the Sierra—you know that moment… The air is still.The light is just starting to break over the granite.And all you want is a good cup of coffee. But let’s be honest… most camp coffee doesn’t live up … Read more
Twelve miles deep in the Emigrant Wilderness, life slows down. Morning light cracks through the trees. My tired body rolls out of the hammock. The birds are already singing. Somewhere down the trail, I can hear horses moving through camp—another group starting their day before the sun fully breaks. And for me… There’s one thing … Read more
A Sierra Mindset Meets PNW Conditions I’ll be honest—this is my first time wearing anything from Oboz. And it didn’t happen in the Sierra. It happened here in the Pacific Northwest, where “trail conditions” mean something completely different. Back in the Sierra Nevada, waterproof shoes were a seasonal tool—something you’d think about for early summer … Read more
What makes someone run 100 miles—and then sign up for another one? In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie Pankey sits down with Josh Sprague, founder of Orange Mud and ultra endurance athlete, to explore the deeper “why” behind pushing physical and mental limits. From Kansas dirt roads to 700-mile gravel races, Josh shares … Read more
There’s a moment on every trail where things shift. Maybe it’s mile three. Maybe it’s mile ten. Maybe it’s that first overnight when the noise fades and it’s just you, your thoughts, and the dirt under your feet. For me, that shift often happens somewhere in Tuolumne Meadows —a place that continues to redefine what … Read more
Tenaya Lake sits right in the middle of Yosemite’s high country , which means you’re not just visiting a lake—you’re standing at the trailhead to some of the most dynamic terrain in the park. We have spent years hiking all around Tenaya and the Cathedral Range and when Tioga Pass is open this region of … Read more
