Charlie Pankey 
Mineral Ca – Lassen Volcanic National Park – July 13, 2020 – An area in Lassen Volcanic National Park is closed to backcountry camping due to black bear(s) obtaining food from campers. The closure extends one mile in all directions from the following lakes frequently accessed from Summit Lake Trailhead: Echo, Upper Twin, Lower Twin, … Read more
National Forest Week July 13-19, 2020 – Get Involved, Get connected via Virtual Social Events. National Forest 2020 – National Forest Week is an annual celebration of the NationalForest System and all it provides and has to offer. Hear in the Sierra we have 9 National forest regional head quarters and management areas. We use … Read more
A Yosemite National Park Hidden Gem Located on Parker Pass John Muir once discussed his distain for hikers that hiked through an area with out truly enjoying what the forest and mountains contained for them. “Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not ‘hike’ through them” – John Muir … Read more
There are many different ways to spend a 4th of July holiday in America. For the past two years I have choose to spend most of the day by myself on a solo hiking experience in Yosemite National Park. This year I chose to explore one the furthest east trail experiences and to discover more … Read more
SIX WAYS TO ENJOY LAKE TAHOE-TRUCKEE OVER JULY 4 HOLIDAY WEEKEND Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Lake Tahoe and Truckee communities appeal to travelers to wear masks to help keep businesses open and outline how to prepare in advance to make the most of time in the mountains this summer LAKE TAHOE-TRUCKEE, Calif./Nev. (July 1, 2020) – Ahead of … Read more
Bridgeport Annual Fireworks Show Scheduled As Planned in 2020 Bridgeport Ca. July 1, 2020 – Leave it to the wild west region of California to provide a bright spot in our 4th of July traditions. The Gateway to Bodie and numerous outdoor recreation opportunities, Bridgeport California is adapting some of its annual programs because of … Read more
Popular Eastern Sierra Hiking and Backpacking destination Access Road Closed July 6-25, 2020 Inyo National Forest – Bishop Ca., July 1, 2020 – Stating on July 6, and anticipating effective through July 25, the South Lake Road Reconstruction Project will implement no overnight parking in the South Lake area. This will include the Bishop Pass … Read more
Southern area of Whitney Portal remains closed, Most Trails to Re-open Whitney Portal, (above Lone Pine), CA, June 30, 2020 – The Whitney Portal emergency evacuation will be lifted on July 2, 2020.by 5:00 pm. The area was evacuated in response to the June 24 5.8 earthquake near Lone Pine, CA and subsequent rockslide at Whitney Portal. … Read more
Heavenly will open the gondola Friday July 3 2020. Heading towards Tahoe this weekend, event though the fireworks are canceled? Well there are still plenty wide open spaces to explore around the Tahoe basin and increased access to Heavenly resort starting friday. Even with the lock down and travel restriction in place, visitors are flocking … Read more
Camping at Potwisha, Lodgepole and Sunset campgrounds with reservations only. SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. June 25, 2020 – Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are increasing recreational access to include three campgrounds and limited concession services following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and … Read more
Quincy, Calif. – Additional developed recreation sites in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area are now open including Gold, Goose, and Haven Lake Campgrounds, Gold Lake Car Top Boat Launch &Picnic Site and Grassy Lake Trailhead. Other Plumas National Forest campgrounds recently openedinclude Hallsted (Feather River Canyon), Grizzly Creek (Bucks Lake area) and Golden TroutCrossing (south … Read more
All visitors should avoid the Mt. Whitney area, including for exiting hikes. The area is unsafe. Whitney Portal Evacuation Remains in Effect US Forest Service Geologists Assessing Whitney Portal UPDATE- Mt. Whitney area, (above Lone Pine), CA, June 26, 2020 – The Whitney Portal emergency evacuation will remain in effect at least through Monday, June … Read more
Mammoth Ca, June 24, 2020 – Inyo National forest and Mammoth area announced that the Lakes Basin Road will open on June 25. Visitors should be advised that hazard tree work continues along the road corridor and that there may be delays while this work is ongoing. The following campgrounds are scheduled to open on … Read more
Careful planning required to access valley – shuttle Service will not Operate in 2020 Sierra Rec Magazine – Mammoth Ca, June 22, 2020 – The Inyo National Forest and Devils Postpile National Monument announce that the Reds Meadow Road will open on Friday, June 26 for the 2020 season. Typically, the Reds Meadow Shuttle Bus … Read more
Plumas NF trail and parking lot reconstruction -Feather Falls facilities temporarily closed for construction Feather River Ca., June 22, 2020 – The Plumas National Forest is upgrading the trail, parking lot, access road, and campground that service Feather Falls in Butte County, CA. A short closure (July 6 – August 31, 2020) is necessary to … Read more
The Whitney Portal Road opened today. The State of the Inyo, current as of 06/18/20 Inyo National Forest – California – June 19, 2020 – For now, Mt. Whitney Permits continue to be cancelled out one week in advance of the hiking date at this time. A permit is required to hike to Mt. Whitney (day … Read more
Quincy, Calif. – Plumas National Forest is opening additional recreation sites on Friday, June 19, 2020 Included are Bucks Lake recreation sites: Hutchins Group, Sundew, Mill Creek, and Whitehorse Campgrounds, in addition to Sandy Point Boat Ramp, Picnic, and Beach day-use plus Bucks Lake Kiosk. Spanish Creek recreation sites include Spanish Creek and Spanish Creek … Read more
South Lake Tahoe, Calif. — June 18, 2020 — Heavenly Mountain Resort and Northstar California Resort today announced they will open for select summer activities in July. Kirkwood Mountain Resort will have human-powered activities (no lift access) available to guests, similar as years past. The resorts shared operating plans as well as their commitment to safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic. As a part of Vail Resorts’ commitment to safety, the Company is establishing certain … Read more
Washington, DC – June 17, 2020– Today, the United States Senate passed The Great American Outdoors Act, historic legislation that would provide dedicated funding to reduce the National Park Service’s deferred maintenance backlog – nearly $12 billion in needed repairs across the National Park System – and provide full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). For … Read more
Tioga Pass Opens today for the 2020 season, Reservations and Permits required for all entry. Tioga Pass opened today into Yosemite National Park, marking the official date that the entire access system for the park is open. Still every person entering he park will need reservations and the corresponding permits to enter. this included those … Read more
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif., June 11, 2020 – Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) concessionaires will begin opening developed campgrounds in the Lake Tahoe Basin. For a full list of open areas and up-to-date information, visit the LTBMU website at www.fs.usda.gov/ltbmu and follow us on social media. “Camping is a great way to enjoy our public lands and … Read more
VALLEJO, Calif. June 12,2020 – The USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region today launched a Geographic Information System (GIS) map that provides the public with updated information on the status of campgrounds, day-use sites, picnic areas, and other designated recreation sites on national forests throughout California. View the GIS map at https://www.fs.fed.us/r5/webmaps/RecreationSiteStatus/. For additional questions on parking, campsites … Read more
Mono County and Inyo National Forest Still Struggling to Open For Summer From Covid-19 Restrictions He is the latest from Mono county and Inyo National Forest for weekend travel and camping trips to the Eastern Sierra. With Access Fishing season starting last week in June Lake and Tioga Road opening on June 15th, not sure … Read more
Tioga Road Scheduled to Re-open June 15th When will Yosemite National Park reopen? In accordance with guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local public health authorities, Yosemite National Park will continue to incrementally increase recreational access. Beginning June 11, the park will open all the primary attractions … Read more
FULL HIGHWAY CLOSURE STATE ROUTE 4 FROM EBBETT’S PASS TO SILVER CREEK CAMPGROUND June 16 -17, 2020 ALPINE COUNTY – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will close State Route 4 beginning Tuesday, June 16, 2020, to Wednesday, June 17, 2020, from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day for paving to repair a failing … Read more
News Broke Last Night that June 5th Backpackers and Half Dome Permit Holders will gain access to Yosemite National Park. Yosemite National Park Update – June 3 2020 – Beginning June 5, Yosemite National Park will reopen access to the Yosemite Wilderness to those with an existing wilderness permit reservation and to those with an … Read more
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif., June 1, 2020 – The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is enacting campfire restrictions to protect the health and safety of employees and communities, effective immediately and until further notice. Outside of developed campgrounds and certain permitted facilities, igniting, building, maintaining or using a fire on national forests in … Read more
Public Safety Alert – Plumas National Forest Sierrra Rec Magazine – QUINCY, CALIF. June 2, 2020 – The Fern Falls Trail Bridge is closed to protect the visiting public, until it can be demolished and removed, likely in summer 2020. Lower Fern Falls (non-motorized) Trail (#12E41) remains open and may be accessed by fording Graeagle … Read more
Overnight wilderness permits will be required ahead of park entry, no walk-up permits will be available this summer. No wilderness permit stations will be open. SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. May 30, 2020 – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health … Read more
Another Weekend Adventure Into the Carson Iceberg Wilderness – Snodgrass Trailhead Sierra Rec Magazine- Trail Review – Carson iceberg Wilderness – June 2020 – It is not often in my trail reviews that I start at the top of the mountain and hike down into the valleys of the wilderness. Yet on the last day … Read more
National Forest Updates – Spark, NV., May 29, 2020 – The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will open its Nevada campgrounds under Governor’s Sisolak reopening directives for Phase 2 of Nevada’s Roadmap to Recovery, beginning this Saturday, May 30. Group campsites, group day use areas, and visitor centers in Nevada are still closed. In alignment with State of California guidance, Forest campgrounds … Read more
Lassen Volcanic National Park will Open Access to Various Park Location Friday May 29 and Camping in Some regions June 1. Mineral, CA – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Lassen Volcanic National Park is increasing recreational access and services. The … Read more
A Little Pre-Memorial Day Fun Launched from Alpine County Ca. “Get Hooked on Alpine County” Sierra Rec Magazine – Alpine County Ca. – May 22, 2020 – The Alpine County Chamber of Commerce just launched an interactive scavenger hunt for visitors of all ages and ability levels to “Get Hooked On Alpine County.” From visiting … Read more
New Exclusive IV Boat Club Opportunity in Lake Tahoe has Familiar Roots to Tahoe Water Sports Sierra Rec Magazine -Lake Tahoe – May 2020 – Just imagine, friends are coming in from out of town for a few days, weather is hot and the the Lake is screaming for your attention. If only you had … Read more
Sierra Rec Magazine – NF Updates – May 21, 20202 – Nevada City, Calif. — The Tahoe National Forest is increasing access to the public by providing additional developed recreational opportunities. We encourage visitors to check our website and social media pages for the most up-to-date information on what is open so that you can plan … Read more
Nevada Government Working Against the Will of the People… NF Supervisor Keeps Restrictions on Access to Managed Access Sites Through Holiday Weekend. Spark, NV., May 19, 2020 – The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will not open its campgrounds, group day use sites, and visitor centers in Nevada over the Memorial Day weekend. At this time, these same facilities … Read more
Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Joshua Tree National Park is increasing recreational access. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach … Read more
Sierra Rec Magazine – Alpine County Ca. – May 18, 2020 – The first full weekend of the Sierra Scenic Passes being open usually draws a crowd. However with the current stay at home orders, Weather changing with high gusty winds and potential snow, plus Stanislaus National Forest prohibiting vehicle traffic on forest service roads … Read more
Stay-At-Home Order Remains In Effect – Check Local and Regional regulations regarding parking and Covid Related requirements before traveling. Alpine, Tuolumne, Mono and Inyo Counties – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced today it has opened seasonal highways in the Sierra after completing necessary road repairs and removing winter snow and debris in preparation … Read more
2023 Update May 15, 2023 – Today they have started the plowing on Bucks Lake Access roads. because of the heavy snow pack in winter 2023, opening dates for the lake will be delayed. Please check with forest Service road openings before planning trips to the lake in May. The wilderness Area and seasonal recreation … Read more