Charlie Pankey 
There are people who go outside to see something, and there are people who seem to spend their lives learning how to notice what is already there. For photographer and author Larry Laverty, that education started remarkably early—with birds, butterflies and an oak tree outside his childhood home. It continued in the mountains, including an … Read more
How Sawyer Became an Outdoor Essential | Founder Kurt AverySawyer Products is one of the most trusted names in backpacking water filtration—but that’s not where the company started. In the first story from Sierra Rec’s Built Outside series, host Charlie Pankey sits down with Sawyer founder Kurt Avery to explore the unlikely 42-year journey behind … Read more
After foot surgery kept author and Sierra explorer Lisa Michelle away from the trail for nearly three months, returning to Sierra Nevada backpacking gave her a new appreciation for every hike—and a new idea for helping other women experience the mountains. Lisa returns to the Sierra Rec Now Podcast to talk with Charlie Pankey about … Read more
I had never heard of Lems Shoes before meeting the brand at Outdoor Media Summit. What caught my attention was the combination of minimalist design, wide toe boxes and zero-drop construction. I have worn zero-drop shoes before and generally enjoyed the way they feel, but I do not necessarily begin every shoe search by looking … Read more
For years in the Sierra Nevada, a fleece this warm was a specialized piece of gear for me. I might have carried one while snowshoeing, camping in colder conditions or heading into the mountains when the forecast clearly called for another layer. It was not something I automatically placed in my pack for every spring … Read more
My first real outing in the Marmot Trailway hiking pants began on a rainy spring morning near Bellingham, Washington. We headed to Blanchard State Forest for a seven-mile loop connecting Lily and Lizard lakes. It is a classic Pacific Northwest hike: a casual forest climb, two hidden lakes and trails that remain in good condition … Read more
A Trail Tested Gear Review by Sierra Rec Staff The Marmot Wraptor 30 promises to eliminate one of the most irritating parts of sleeping in a traditional mummy bag: the zipper. Instead of sealing you inside with a long side zipper, the Wraptor uses overlapping flaps, snaps and a low-profile magnetic closure to create a … Read more
Some places are almost impossible to explain until you’ve stood in them. Juan Veruete calls the Sierra Nevada his “million-word places”—landscapes where even the best photograph never quite captures the scale of what’s in front of you. In this conversation, Juan joins the Sierra Rec Now Podcast to talk about a backpacking life shaped by … Read more
By Charlie Pankey The Best Travel Backpack I’ve Ever Owned I’m 56 years old, and for most of my life my travel strategy could best be described as… a duffel bag. Throw everything inside, zip it shut, and hope I remembered socks. If you asked my wife to describe my packing style, she’d probably refer … Read more
Editor’s Note Some conversations begin with a question. Others begin with a moment that stays with you long after the weekend is over. Last weekend, my wife and I took our one-year-old grandson on his very first camping trip. Like most grandparents, we spent the weekend watching him discover things many of us stopped noticing … Read more
This long-weekend route combines an early morning in Yosemite Valley, swimming at Tenaya Lake, hiking near Pinecrest, exploring the Red Hills and a scenic drive over Sonora Pass. Tuolumne County is one of those Sierra regions that can be difficult to explain in a single sentence. It acks as a base camp region in the … Read more
Here’s What Visitors Need to Know—and Why Your Voice Matters. For more than 14 years, I’ve had the privilege of exploring and covering the Sierra Nevada. During that time, I’ve watched parking lots fill earlier each season, permit systems expand, and trailheads become busier than I ever imagined. I’ve also watched volunteers, rangers, nonprofit organizations … Read more
Why Planning Like a Local Changes Everything A few years ago I was invited to Mammoth Lakes for the opening weekend of trout season. The group was made up of friends from Los Angeles who had been making the trip together for years. Fishing was the reason everyone came to the Eastern Sierra, but it … Read more
Why a Lifelong Sierra Hiker Ended Up Falling in Love with a Gore-Tex Trail Shoe Quick Take Best For: Day hiking, technical trails, Pacific Northwest hiking, Sierra Nevada granite, creek crossings and hikers who value confidence over speed. Trail Tested: Four months of real-world hiking in Western Washington, including muddy trails, wet roots, creek crossings, … Read more
Why do so many of us leave the mountains… only to spend the rest of our lives finding our way back? Raised in Portola in California’s Sierra Valley, Rocci Twitchell grew up fishing alpine lakes, riding horses through Mohawk Valley, exploring the Sierra Buttes, and spending weekends around Yuba Pass, Packer Lake, Gold Lake, and … Read more
A compact camp companion that adds a clean, stable surface wherever you set up Not every piece of gear changes how you travel, but some quietly make camp life easier. The Crazy Creek Pack Table falls squarely into that category — a small but surprisingly useful addition that quickly earned a regular spot in our … Read more
Constellation Creek is the kind of place you slip away with your favorite person. Hang a hammock between the pines, slide a chair into the cool creek after a day on the trail, open a good book, and simply slow down for a while. But it’s also a perfect basecamp for one of our favorite … Read more
Search & Rescue Volunteers Need Your Help | How One Simple Donation Could Save a Life Episode Introduction Every hike begins with the hope of reaching the summit, discovering a hidden alpine lake, or simply enjoying another day in the mountains. But when an accident happens miles from the trailhead, a dedicated team of Search … Read more
If you’re planning a summer weekend in Apple Hill or exploring California’s Sierra Foothills, Starfield Vineyards is once again offering an evening of live music, estate wines, vineyard views, and outdoor dining during its popular Summer Concert Series. While Apple Hill is best known for its bustling fall harvest season, summer offers a completely different … 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
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, and … 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
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
A 4-Day Route Through Phipps Lake, the Velmas, Dicks Pass, Lake Aloha and Echo Lakes Desolation Wilderness is often introduced through its famous destinations. Lake Aloha draws photographers and backpackers from across California. Dicks Pass is one of the most recognizable climbs in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Velma Lakes, Gilmore Lake, and Echo Lakes … 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 behind. … 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
A Trail-Tested Story from the Emigrant Wilderness There’s a version of the Sierra most people never see. It’s not the polished version—the one we photograph at sunrise or chase across trail maps and bucket lists. It’s older than that. Harder. Quieter. And if you’re not paying attention, you’ll walk right past it. We were standing … Read more
Beyond Ranger Lake, a final push leads to one of the quietest and most memorable mornings in Sequoia National Park. The Decision at Ranger Lake I was still standing in Ranger Lake, letting the cold do its thing, when I looked back up toward Silliman Pass. Middle of the day now. Sun sitting right on … Read more
