Nevada Day Weekend and Día de los Muertos Followed by The Ferris 50 The Sierra is showing off this time of year. Golden cottonwoods line the Carson River, crisp mornings give way to bluebird afternoons, and the peaks above Carson Valley are dusted with early snow. It’s that rare overlap when fall color meets winter … Read more
In the Sierra, we don’t just celebrate one season at a time — we chase them both. This weekend, Carson City and the Eastern Sierra are glowing with autumn color while snow-dusted peaks above Carson Valley whisper that ski season is just around the corner. It’s that sweet overlap where pumpkins meet powder — where … Read more
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine – Sierra Rec Now Podcast A Journey That Began in Carson City When Julianne Mahoney set out from Carson City, Nevada, last spring, she wasn’t chasing a record. She was chasing connection — to herself, to the land, and to a growing community of hikers who had fallen … Read more
Sierra Nevada, CA — October 28, 2025This Veterans Day, California State Parks invites all U.S. service members, veterans, and their families to enjoy free admission at more than 140 parks statewide — including some of the Sierra Nevada’s most treasured destinations. “California State Parks is proud to provide free access to veterans who have stood … Read more
When I first spotted KUIU’s new Kutana Stretch Woven Hybrid Pant at the OMA Show in Denver this July, I knew it had potential far beyond the hunting crowd it was designed for. The mix of durability, stretch, and hybrid waterproofing struck me as a recipe for a true Sierra adventure pant. So, as fall … Read more
Fall meets Celtic heritage in the Sierra foothills!Join host Charlie Pankey as he welcomes Kimberly Vaughan, director of the first-ever Yosemite Celtic Festival & Highland Games, coming to Oakhurst, California, on November 1–2, 2025. Together, they explore what makes this new cultural celebration such a unique addition to Yosemite’s southern gateway — from Highland athletic … Read more
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine | Sierra Rec Now Podcast This week on the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, we’re taking listeners to the southern gateway of Yosemite National Park, where community spirit, heritage, and mountain adventure come together for something entirely new — the first-ever Yosemite Celtic Festival & Highland Games, happening November … Read more
October 21, 2025 Arcade belts, which provide stretch and function for outdoor activities, joins the global roster of RECCO brand partners starting this fall. STOCKHOLM, Sweden (October 21, 2025) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ — RECCO , the global leader in rescue technology, announces its first product collaboration with Arcade, founded on the belief that belts could function better, last longer … Read more
Event features specialty cocktails, sweet pairings and scavenger hunt through historic saloons Virginia City, Nev. – Virginia City hosts the Spirits Made Me Do It Saloon Crawl on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 1-5 p.m., offering 21 or older participants a tasting tour through the town’s historic saloons and merchants. The event is part of Hauntober™, Virginia … Read more
Fast, clean, and confidence-inspiring water filtration for the Sierra adventurer. The Sierra has a way of reminding you just how important water is. On long, sun-baked miles of granite and dust, having a reliable water system isn’t just a convenience—it’s survival. For years, I’ve trusted Katadyn. My very first filter was their classic Hiker model, long … Read more
Trail Tested Review: Katadyn BeFree Filter AC 1.0L – Slate Blue Fast, clean, and confidence-inspiring water filtration for the Sierra adventurer. The Sierra has a way of reminding you just how important water is. On long, sun-baked miles of granite and dust, having a reliable water system isn’t just a convenience—it’s survival. For years, I’ve … Read more
Comfort and Flexibility for Cool-Weather Adventure When I pulled on the Danner Lightweight Trail Pants for our Green Creek Canyon hike, I wasn’t expecting much more than comfort for the drive and a bit of wind protection on trail. But a few miles in, these pants started to impress me for all the right reasons. … Read more
From Tahoe to Sicily: Filmmaker and Clean Up The Lake Director Colin West Premieres New Documentary “SICILIA” at Newport Beach Film Festival By Sierra Rec Magazine StaffLake Tahoe, NV – October 15, 2025 Known across the Sierra as the driving force behind Clean Up The Lake, filmmaker and conservation leader Colin West is stepping into … Read more
This week on Sierra Rec Now, host Charlie Pankey sits down with Keith Lewis, Director of Visit Carson Valley, and Josh Rudelbach, endurance runner and community voice, to dive into what makes fall in Carson Valley one of the Sierra’s best-kept secrets. From the Genoa Loop Trail and Pine Nut Mountains to Topaz Lake’s quiet … Read more
By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine For more than a decade, Carson Valley has been home base for Sierra Rec Magazine — the place where our adventures begin and where we always return. It’s where the open spaces meet the Sierra front, where trails climb into the Pine Nut Mountains, and where small-town festivals keep … Read more
Lightweight Warmth That Breathes When the Wind Bites When the fall winds started funneling through Green Creek Canyon last weekend, I was glad I’d packed the Marmot Aerothermal Jacket. The day’s forecast promised bright sun but cold gusts, the kind of Sierra day that keeps you guessing. With about a thousand feet of climb to … Read more
It had been five years since I last set foot in Green Creek Canyon, one of my favorite fall hiking canyons on the Eastern Sierra just south of Bridgeport. This past Saturday, my hiking buddy Tom and I decided to change that. We’ve covered plenty of miles together over the years — most recently in … Read more
Nevada is full of secrets — and none of them are on the Strip. In this episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, host Charlie Pankey talks with explorer, photographer, and author Sydney Martinez, whose new book Finding Nevada Wild uncovers the true heart of the Silver State. For nearly 20 years, Sydney has roamed … Read more
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine For most people, when you say “Nevada,” one image comes to mind — flashing lights, crowded casinos, and the non-stop buzz of Las Vegas. But for those of us who live along the Sierra Front, we know a different Nevada — one filled with wide-open basins, wild mustangs, … Read more
California’s Sierra Nevada isn’t just another mountain range—it’s the kind of place that gets under your skin and stays there. I’ve spent countless hours exploring these peaks, and honestly, there’s something almost magical about how this region weaves together incredible trails, authentic community events, and stories that go back generations. Whether you’re someone who lives … Read more
Back in April, I kicked off Fishmas in the Eastern Sierra , chasing that first bite of the season along with anglers from all over the West. Since then, my summer has been full of backpacking miles, alpine lakes, and high-country trails. But as the air cools and the aspens turn, it’s time to shift … Read more
For years, Heenan Lake was just a quiet stop on fall hikes through Alpine County. The aspens out back of the lake turn brilliant in October, mule deer slip through the groves, and the wide bowl of water sits still under the shadow of Monitor Pass. I’d see float tubes dotting the surface and assume … Read more
