Discover Aviation, Vintage Cars, and Community Spirit at Minden-Tahoe’s Airport Discovery Day Words by Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine The skies above Carson Valley are world-renowned for a reason, and this August, you’re invited to experience them up close as the 2025 Airport Discovery Day: Wings & Wheels returns to Minden-Tahoe Airport for a … Read more
Who’s Playing, When to Go, and How to Watch in Lake Tahoe Edgewood Tahoe Prepares to Welcome Sports Legends, Celebrities, and 70,000+ Fans July 9–13 By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine | June 26, 2025 There’s nothing quite like summer on the South Shore—and if you’ve been here before, you know there’s no bigger … Read more
South Lake Tahoe, CA – If you love birds, nature walks, and hands-on outdoor fun, don’t miss the Wild Tahoe Festival, happening Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Taylor Creek Visitor Center, just off Highway 89 north of South Lake Tahoe. This free, one-day event brings together two beloved gatherings—the … Read more
Words & Photos by Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine Sponsored by Mountain House, EXPED, and Nestout Summer is finally here, and with it comes our favorite way to explore the Sierra: boondocking adventures that get us closer to trailheads, earlier on the trail, and deeper into the wild. This past weekend, we kicked off … Read more
What do legends, eagles, and climbing dreams all have in common? They converge at Lover’s Leap near Lake Tahoe. This week, host Charlie Pankey sits down with Petch, a longtime climber and guide who lives just steps from the base of this iconic Sierra cliff. Together, they explore: The history and mythology behind Lover’s Leap … Read more
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine Something remarkable happened this week. In the middle of heated debates over a bill proposing the sale of millions of acres of public land, everyday people—hikers, ranchers, conservationists, off-roaders, small-town residents—raised their voices. And the message reached Washington. In response to overwhelming public outcry and procedural review, a … Read more
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine Tucked along Highway 50 just west of South Lake Tahoe, Lover’s Leap rises like a storybook cliff out of the pine-covered canyon. With its towering granite face and layered climbing routes, it draws climbers from around the world—and legends from long ago. But to truly understand what makes … Read more
A Spirited Start to a Mountain Town Celebration Every year, as the flags wave and parade crowds gather along the streets of Truckee, a familiar energy builds—not from fireworks, but from fast feet and community cheer. The Firecracker Mile is back for 2025, and it’s the kind of local tradition that captures everything we love … Read more
A Commonsense Look at the Proposed Sale of Public Lands—And What It Means for the Sierra We Call Home By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine I’ve pulled off the side of the road just north of Truckee more times than I can count. Sometimes it’s for a spontaneous hike at Prosser Hill. Other times, … Read more
Ride, Paddle, and Savor the West Shore By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine If you’re searching for a place to slow down, breathe in the high mountain air, and reconnect with the simple joys of outdoor travel, Lake Almanor’s western shore is waiting. Anchored by one of the most scenic and accessible trails in … Read more
Fourth of July in the Sierra Nevada is more than just a day of fireworks—it’s a multi-day celebration of mountain towns, lakeside traditions, and timeless Americana. From the iconic barge display over Lake Tahoe to the Cowboy fireworks in Bridgeport that’s been happening since the 1860s, this is a region that truly knows how to … Read more
What does it take to turn a high school dream into a national nonprofit? Hanna Beth Bryce, founder of Dare to Be a Cowboy, joins us on the Sierra Rec Now Podcast to share how she started her mission at just 16 years old—and why helping others find purpose is at the heart of everything … Read more
Discover ‘Music in Motion’—A Summer Evening of Art Beneath the Pines Date: July 26, 2025Time: 7:00 p.m.Location: Classical Tahoe Ricardi Pavilion, UNR at Lake TahoeTickets: classicaltahoe.org This summer, Sierra Rec Magazine invites you to witness something truly extraordinary: a world-class performance set beneath the open sky in North Lake Tahoe. For one night only, Classical … Read more
Sierra Rec Now Podcast | Episode Feature: Hanna Beth Bryce There’s something magical about a dream born in the shadow of the Sierra—especially when that dream becomes a movement that changes lives. This week on the Sierra Rec Now podcast , we welcome Hanna Beth Bryce, founder of Dare to Be a Cowboy, a nonprofit … Read more
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec MagazineTrip Date: Saturday, June 15, 2025 This past weekend, after enjoying the hometown charm of Carson Valley Days—including a hearty breakfast in the park and our local parade—we decided to chase some high Sierra magic with a spontaneous trip into Yosemite National Park’s wilderness. Saturday marked the first day … Read more
An ultralight, trail-tested solution for simple, safe hydration in the Sierra. As someone who’s tested just about every popular backpacking water filter out there—from pump systems to the Sawyer Squeeze and Platypus QuickDraw—I can honestly say the LifeStraw Peak Series Solo impressed me for what it is: a minimalist’s dream for weight savings and ease … Read more
Small Footprint, Big Comfort: A Go-To Chair for Sierra Lake Days, Trail Breaks & Backyard Lounging In the Sierra, comfort and portability don’t always mix. That’s why the CLIQ Classic Chair stood out immediately in my car camping and lake day gear testing this spring. Designed to fold up to the size of a water … Read more
Your New Favorite Base Layer for Sierra Adventures When it comes to Merino wool base layers, I’ve had my fair share of frustrations—especially as someone with a larger frame. Too tight in the shoulders, too short in the torso, or scratchy after a long day on the trail. But the IBEX Goat Tee? It may … Read more
Camping in Yosemite Just Got a Whole Lot Better For the first time in six years, Yosemite National Park will have all 13 of its official campgrounds open by the end of summer 2025—a major win for those who crave nights under Sierra stars. If you’ve struggled to secure a campsite in recent years, this … Read more
At Sierra Rec Magazine, we’re always on the lookout for brands that match the spirit of the Sierra — rugged, authentic, and built for adventure. That’s why we’re excited to announce our new affiliate partnership with KÜHL Clothing, a brand known for blending performance and style like no other. As temperatures rise and the trails, … Read more
June 21–22 & June 28–29, 2025 | Camino, CA When it comes to sensory-rich summer adventures in the Sierra foothills, few experiences rival the fragrant beauty and pastoral charm of Lavender Blue Harvest Days in Apple Hill. Hosted across two weekends—June 21–22 and June 28–29, 2025—this blooming celebration is far more than a farm event; … Read more
By Sierra Rec Magazine StaffJune 12, 2025 As the Sierra summer season heats up and dry conditions intensify, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced seasonal fire restrictions beginning Monday, June 16, 2025, across all BLM-managed public lands in Inyo, Mono, and portions of Alpine counties. This includes many favorite Sierra Rec destinations—the Alabama … Read more
Why June Is the Perfect Time to Explore Reno and the Sierra’s Northern Edge When it comes to spontaneous weekend escapes, Reno has a way of surprising even the most seasoned Sierra travelers. With its mix of historic charm, riverfront nightlife, and quick access to the outdoors, Reno is the perfect hub for a weekend … Read more
June 12–15, 2025 | Minden & Gardnerville, Nevada There’s something special about a town that still shuts down its main street for a parade, fires up the grills in the park, and welcomes neighbors and visitors alike for a weekend of music, laughter, and old-fashioned community spirit. This weekend, we’re inviting you to experience just … Read more
AllTrails Peak Membership Launches June 11 Sierra Rec Magazine is excited to announce the arrival of AllTrails Peak, a new premium membership tier launching June 11 from the world’s most trusted outdoor trail platform. For Sierra Nevada adventurers, this means a new level of control and insight—both while planning your trip and once you’re on … Read more
If you’ve ever dreamed of escaping the summer crowds and heading into a wild, off-the-radar Sierra paradise, this episode of *Sierra Rec Now* is your insider guide. Host Charlie Pankey welcomes Owen White from Visit Alpine County to the show for a deep dive into one of California’s most pristine and underappreciated mountain destinations. From … Read more
Podcast Feature: Sierra Rec Now – Episode with Owen White, Visit Alpine County If there’s one place in the Sierra Nevada that still feels like it belongs entirely to the mountains, it’s Alpine County. Tucked between towering volcanic ridges and granite peaks, Alpine County has long been my go-to escape—especially when I need a day … Read more
By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine Escape the crowds and experience one of the Eastern Sierra’s most rewarding early-season alpine hikes. Hiding just off Highway 108, Leavitt Lake is a rugged, high-elevation gem near the summit of Sonora Pass that offers solitude, snowmelt waterfalls, and glacier-fed beauty just as the Sierra awakens in late spring. … Read more
Olympic Valley Becomes the Epicenter of Trail Running This June with Broken Arrow, TrailCon, and the Western States 100 Olympic Valley, CA — June 2025 — If you’re a trail runner, a fan of endurance sports, or simply someone who thrives on high-altitude energy and community vibes, Palisades Tahoe is where you want to be … Read more
Helly Hansen’s Shine Solen Half-Zip proves its versatility in both high Sierra hikes and multi-day rafting trips. By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine In the high-elevation Sierra, sun exposure isn’t a summer nuisance—it’s a full-season challenge. And when you throw in wind, snowmelt, and rapidly changing spring weather, you need layers that can do … Read more
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine There’s a saying that echoes through the backcountry this time of year: trails aren’t born—they’re built. And in Bear Valley, that truth couldn’t be more real in 2025. As the snow melts and the first wildflowers break through the forest floor, Bear Valley’s beloved trail system is waking … Read more
Built for granite scrambles and brewery patios—your spring-to-fall Sierra trail pant has arrived. Field Tested: Danner Boulder Ridge Pants In the past couple of years, I’ve moved almost exclusively to technical pants for the outdoors. With so many trail-to-town options on the market, it takes something special to stand out. The Danner Boulder Ridge Pants … Read more
The Power of Hex Hatch Fishing By Captain Rob Ayers | Adapted for Sierra Rec Magazine There’s a shift in the air around Lake Almanor this time of year. The warm-up down in the valley sends a steady stream of visitors into our pine-covered hideaway — pulling into lakeside campsites, walking through town with ice … Read more
By Sierra Rec Magazine Staff | June 6, 2025 LA PORTE, CA — As summer recreation ramps up in the Sierra, visitors to Little Grass Valley Reservoir should be aware of a partial closure at Wyandotte Campground, where a pair of nesting bald eagles is raising two young eaglets. The Plumas National Forest has announced … Read more
Event organizers mark National Hot Air Balloon Day with reveal of this year’s balloon race features, new and returning. – RENO, NV — In celebration of National Hot Air Balloon Day, organizers of the Great Reno Balloon Race have announced exciting new additions to the 2025 event, scheduled for September 5–7 at Rancho San Rafael … Read more
CHESTER, CA — The smell of pine, the sound of chainsaws, and the cheers of the crowd—summer in Lake Almanor is officially in full swing, and there’s no better way to experience the heart and soul of Plumas County than by attending the Big Time Logging Jamboree this Saturday, June 7 at Collins Park in … Read more
KINGS BEACH, CA — Off-road enthusiasts, land stewards, and outdoor access advocates take note: the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Commission is coming to the North Lake Tahoe region next week for a two-day public event that will spotlight off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation and land management across the Tahoe National Forest. Hosted by California … Read more
After four years of closures due to wildfire, floods, and landslides, Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park has finally reopened—and we’ve got the inside scoop. Join Sierra Rec Now host Charlie Pankey in this exclusive interview with Pani Schauffler of Mountain Trekking Adventures, one of the first media guests invited into the newly restored cave. … Read more
Sierra Rec Now Podcast Interview: An Insiders view of the Opening of Crystal Cave and how it shapes your visit to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine | June 2025 After four years of closure due to wildfire damage, floods, and landslides, Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park … Read more
Summer is here and so is National Camping Month – the perfect time to plan an outdoor adventure with your dog in the magnificent Sierra Nevada. Camping with dogs in this region is a rewarding experience: think shimmering alpine lakes, miles of trails, and starry nights shared with your furry friend. Fortunately, most public campgrounds … Read more
