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
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
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
Overview: A High Sierra Route Guide for Sequoia National Park That Rewards Those Who Go a Little Farther There are routes in the Sierra that check all the boxes—alpine lakes, high passes, wildflowers, and solitude—and then there are routes that quietly exceed expectations. The Silliman Pass route out of Lodgepole is one of those. At … Read more
What Sierra Backpackers Need to Know About Permits in the West After more than a decade of backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, I’ve developed a rhythm to planning trips. I know how to read snowpack. I know how to map routes. And over the years, I’ve figured out how to work within the permit systems … Read more
Navigating the Sierra Nevada Shoulder Season The snow line is retreating, waterfalls are thundering at their peak volume, and the high country remains locked in winter’s grip. This is spring in the Sierra Nevada: a season of contradictions that rewards hikers willing to work within its constraints. Finding the best spring wilderness hikes in the … Read more
Every year I find myself coming back to Desolation Wilderness, studying the map and picking out a few hikes I haven’t done—or ones I want to experience again. With 2026 shaping up as a low snow year, access is going to come earlier, which opens the door to those classic granite basins and clear alpine … Read more
Rae Lakes Loop Backpacking Tips: Discovering One of the Sierra Nevada’s Most Iconic Trails One of California’s Most Desired Backpacking Loops For many hikers exploring the Sierra Nevada, the Rae Lakes Loop in Kings Canyon National Park sits high on the bucket list. The route is legendary among backpackers for good reason. Over roughly 40 … Read more
A Story About Preparedness, Perspective, and Why the Little Things Matter on the Trail There are moments in the mountains that stay with you — not because of the view, but because of what they teach you. This week’s Sierra Rec Now episode opens with one of those memories. A late-afternoon descent from Cathedral Lakes … Read more
The Lost Sierra has long been one of California’s most quietly spectacular regions — vast forests, winding rivers, and small mountain towns that feel a world away from the crowds of Tahoe and Yosemite. In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, I sat down with Greg Williams, the visionary behind the Connected Communities initiative, to … Read more
By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine A funny thing happens somewhere in your late 30s and early 40s: you realize you don’t just want a strong season — you want strong decades. The Sierra has a way of making that lesson crystal clear. It’s not the uphill that gets most of us. It’s the long … Read more
How Great Sierra Seasons Begin I used to hear the phrase “conquering the Sierra” a lot.Ten or twelve years ago, it felt like the right language. Bold. Ambitious. A way to measure progress by distance, elevation, and the number of new places stacked into a single season. I chased it hard. New lakes every weekend. … Read more
Beyond Post-Trip RestBy Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine Most outdoor enthusiasts think about recovery as something you do after the big adventure. You finish the trip, you take a day off, you soak, you sleep in, and you tell yourself you’ll “get back to it” once your legs feel normal again. But if you spend … Read more
Plan by region, plan backwards, and build a summer you don’t waste January and February are when my Sierra year actually begins. Not because summer is close—it isn’t. Not because the snow is gone—it’s not. But because this is the quiet season when the maps come out, the imagination wakes up, and the right kind … Read more
Stay safe on your next Sierra adventure by preparing for common hiking injuries. This guide covers how to prevent and treat blisters, sprains, and 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
Early in the year, I gave myself a goal that felt both ambitious and deeply personal: hike more than one hundred miles of Sierra Nevada backcountry as part of the Outdoor Vitals 100-Mile Challenge. On paper, it sounded straightforward enough. I’ve come close to that kind of mileage in past seasons, but I never really … 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
When most people think of backpacking in the Sierra, they picture the big summer push: long days, dry boots, and miles of trail under a hot sun. But if you’ve ever shouldered a pack in September or October, you know the truth — fall is the Sierra’s quiet masterpiece. The bugs are gone, the crowds … Read more
Wildfires are a growing threat to Sierra hikers. Discover how to check conditions, spot fire signs, and react safely while exploring the wilderness.
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine The Sierra Nevada isn’t just a destination—it’s a legacy. Few people embody that truth better than Brian Martz, this week’s guest on the Sierra Rec Now Podcast. Known to thousands of California students as the Water Guy, Brian’s life story runs far deeper than his classroom mascot role. … Read more
Ultralight power meets trail-ready reliability in the Sierra backcountry. A Shift in Stove Strategy I’ve been a longtime fan of integrated pot stove systems like the MSR WindBurner—stable, efficient, and wind-resistant. But heading into our early September backpacking trip from Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley, I made a conscious decision: cut pack weight wherever I … Read more
This week on the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, we welcome back returning guest Paul Wagner — author, blogger at BackpackingSierra.com, and longtime volunteer for multiple wilderness areas across the Sierra Nevada. Paul joins host Charlie Pankey for a wide-ranging conversation about backpacking adventures, trail stewardship, volunteering in Desolation Wilderness, and hidden gems in the Sierra … Read more
For the past five years, I’ve relied on quilts as my primary sleep system, especially when hammock camping in the Sierra Nevada. They give me the freedom to move naturally, regulate heat, and stay cozy in ways a traditional mummy bag never has. So when I came across the Outdoor Vitals StormLoft™ 15° Quilt (Long) … Read more
CARSON CITY, Nev. — August 27, 2025 — The steps of Nevada’s State Capitol turned into a stage of celebration yesterday morning as family, friends, and outdoor enthusiasts gathered to welcome Julianne Mahoney home. After 59 days and 1,600 miles, Mahoney became the first hiker to complete the Capital to Canada Quest, averaging 27 miles … Read more
A Delicious and Hearty Trail Dinner from Backpackers Pantry After years of taste-testing freeze-dried meals in the backcountry, I think I may have found the gold standard: Backpacker’s Pantry Pad Thai with Chicken. Simply put—it was the bomb. This meal hit all the right notes after a long day of backpacking in the Emigrant Wilderness. … Read more
The Sierra Nevada boasts some of the most spectacular trails in the US. It attracts hikers from around the world with its rugged peaks, alpine lakes, and diverse landscapes. For women hikers, these trails can be both empowering and rewarding, but they also require thoughtful preparation to ensure safety and enjoyment. From unpredictable weather to … Read more
First Impressions When I set out this summer with the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60L, my goal was simple: cut weight without sacrificing comfort. After logging over 70 miles of High Sierra trails, including a multi-day Yosemite trip to McCabe Lake and another 35+ hot miles in the Emigrant Wilderness (half of them off-trail), I’ve had … Read more
Coffee in the backcountry is more than a comfort—it’s a ritual. For years, I’ve carried a French press into the wilderness, chasing that perfect cup despite the hassle of cleanup and extra gear. But on my recent backpacking trip into the Emigrant Wilderness, I found something that just might replace it: Coulee Coffee’s EcoPour pod … Read more
Mother Nature tests our resolve on a hot August trip into the Emigrant. Some outings are more calculated than free-flowing.This trip into the Emigrant Wilderness began as one of those deliberate adventures — part work assignment, part personal challenge. My goal was straightforward on paper but ambitious in reality: explore the southern section of the … Read more
By Sierra Rec Magazine Staff | August 7, 2025 Lake Tahoe, CA/NV — Trail lovers, rejoice! Just one week into August, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) has already hit its $15,000 fundraising goal for its annual “Raise the Rim” campaign—and the momentum is still building. “This early success is a testament to how much … Read more
Master Sierra Nevada backpacking with our essential guide. Find gear tips for clothing, safety, food, and shelter to stay prepared on the trail.
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine A Four-Day Three-night trip into McCabe, Roosevelt and Young Lakes The planning for this trip started in January, but the dream of it began years earlier. On this July morning, as I packed the final gear into the truck and headed out to pick up Tom, I felt … Read more
When I get the itch for High Sierra hiking, one of the areas I am drawn to is the portion of the Sierra near Bishop. One of the greatest aspects of this area is the availability of easily accessible trailheads. I was recently exploring the area and stumbled upon the hike to George Lake, a … Read more
Field-Tested by Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine Overview Handcrafted Italian quality meets Sierra trail grit in the Zamberlan Devero Mid GTX, a Spring 2025 release that promises performance, sustainability, and long-haul comfort in a lightweight mid-height hiker. We tested these boots over four rugged days and nearly 30 miles of granite slab, dusty singletrack, … Read more
A Journey of Hidden Gems, Remarkable Stories and Healing Landscapes in the Sierra What does it mean to find your true nature in the Sierra Nevada? For author Lisa Michelle, it meant trading the rodeo arena for hidden ridgelines, misty alpine lakes, and the quiet lessons the wilderness is willing to teach those who slow … 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
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
At Sierra Rec Magazine, we believe in putting gear to the test—and when it earns our trust, we stick with it. For the past five years, Gregory backpacks have been our go-to on countless Sierra adventures, from multi-day treks in Yosemite to family hikes in Desolation Wilderness. So we’re thrilled to announce a brand-new affiliate … Read more
