Discover the Scenic Wonders of the Sierra Nevada
Embark on unforgettable road trips through the stunning Sierra Nevada. Explore iconic highways and winding backroads, taking in breathtaking mountain vistas, crystal-clear lakes, and charming mountain towns.
Key Scenic Routes in the Sierra Nevada:
In the Sierra Nevada, adventure often begins with the curiosity to see what lies around the next bend. It might mean loading the SUV for a road trip along Highway 395, heading into Yosemite, or shouldering a pack for several days among the granite passes and alpine lakes of the High Sierra. We come for … Read more
Taking a trip up California’s Highway 395 strips away the frantic energy of coastal highways. The corridor serves up wide-open sagebrush basins that give way to high-alpine lakes, dense lodgepole pine groves, and the jagged wall of the Eastern Sierra. Turnoffs lead to quiet mountain communities, ghost towns, and backcountry trailheads, making it easy to … Read more
Before you reserve a campsite or commit to a trail, local ranger guidance can help you choose an option that fits current Sierra access and rules.
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
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
Sonora Pass Is Open: What to Expect Driving the Sierra Right Now Every year in the Sierra, there’s a moment when everything starts to come back to life. The roads that have been buried all winter begin to open. Snowbanks line the edges of the pavement. Waterfalls start pouring off granite walls. The rivers rise, … Read more
The Western Divide Highway cuts through some of the most spectacular and least-crowded terrain in all of California. While tourists pack into Yosemite Valley and jostle for parking at Kings Canyon, this 50-mile stretch of pavement winds through ancient sequoia groves, climbs to over 7,000 feet, and delivers views that rival anything in the Sierra … 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
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
If your goal is to spice up your drive along the 395 with pit stops that steer clear of the crowds, offer an authentic Eastern Sierras experience, and upgrade your road trip adventure, then this list is for you! Photo: Ella Clifford The section of 395 that stretches from the Tahoe area to Lone Pine … Read more
Exploring the Sierra Nevada by road is not just a drive, but a chance to witness nature’s grandeur at every turn. Towering pine forests, crystalline lakes, and snow-capped peaks create scenery that shifts mile by mile. Charming alpine towns add cultural richness to the journey. Each road trip blends adventure, relaxation, and striking beauty, which … Read more
(StatePoint) As the sun sets over a forest stream, a beaver family gets to work. For millions of years, these large rodents with bright orange teeth and a flat paddle-shaped tail have been reshaping landscapes by craftily constructing dams that slow flowing water, creating ponds where they build their lodge homes. Chomping through the night, … Read more
For over four decades, the Death Ride has stood as the premier cycling challenge in the Sierra Nevada, drawing riders from across the nation to test their grit, lungs, and legs on the winding roads of the California Alps. This weekend, the tradition continues as cyclists tackle over 14,000 feet of climbing, 103 grueling miles, … 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
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 The Road That Never Stops Giving There’s a moment—usually somewhere between Big Pine and Mammoth—when the Sierra Nevada just takes your breath away. The shadows deepen in the canyons, the ridgelines sharpen, and suddenly every lake, trail, and dirt road feels like a secret you’re being invited to … Read more
TUOLUMNE COUNTY, CA – May 12, 2025 – Good news for Sierra adventurers: Caltrans has announced that Sonora Pass (State Route 108) will officially reopen on Thursday, May 15 at 10:00 a.m. after five weeks of intensive spring snow clearing. If you’ve been itching to explore some of the most dramatic alpine landscapes north of … Read more
By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine There’s a moment in every Sierra spring where you can feel the season flip—when snow starts melting fast, trailheads begin to peek through, and scenic byways open their gates to exploration. This past weekend was that moment. With Ebbetts Pass reopening Friday and an invite to Clean Up the … Read more
By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine The gates are open—Ebbetts Pass (Highway 4) is officially open for the season, and we couldn’t be more excited. For those of us who wait all year for this stretch of rugged alpine beauty to thaw and welcome us back, this announcement feels like a personal invitation to rediscover … Read more
May 7, 2025 | Sierra Rec Magazine Great news for Sierra adventurers—Gold Lake Highway is officially open for the season as of today, May 7th! This scenic mountain road off Yuba Pass connects visitors to the heart of the Lakes Basin Recreation Area near Graeagle, CA, a favorite destination for hikers, anglers, and campers ready … Read more
Rodeo, Red Hills & the Spirit of the Sierra – It Motherlode Weekend in Sonora There’s something about rodeo weekend in Sonora that brings the soul of the Sierra to life. Maybe it’s the dust kicking up behind a wild bronc at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Maybe it’s the parade horses clopping down Washington Street … Read more
As snowmelt barrels out of the Sierra each spring and surges down into the valleys, something changes. The volume of the Sierra rises. Waterfalls roar, creeks swell, and the entire range hums a deeper, wilder tune. Spring runoff is a season I’ve always cherished — usually with boots on trail, hiking alongside a roaring river. … Read more
Mammoth Lakes, CA — April 18, 2025 Spring in the Eastern Sierra is waking up slowly but surely, and in Mammoth Lakes, that means one thing: the road to the Lakes Basin is finally getting some attention. The Town of Mammoth Lakes announced that snow removal operations will begin Monday, April 21, with an anticipated … Read more
Winter Adventure Awaits: Monitor Pass Reopens – Good news for Sierra adventurers! Caltrans has temporarily reopened Monitor Pass (State Route 89) as of 12:00 PM, Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Thanks to the incredible work of snow removal crews, this stunning Alpine County route is now ready for travelers seeking a winter escape. Why Visit Monitor … Read more
There’s nothing quite like loading up the trailer with your sleds, rounding up the crew, and heading into the Sierra backcountry for a day of pure powder bliss. The Sierra Nevada isn’t just a mountain range; it’s a snowmobiler’s dream. From wide-open meadows perfect for letting loose to high-alpine ridges with jaw-dropping views, every trail … Read more
Latest Snow Closes Lassen Volcanic National Park to Vehicle Traffic Winter has arrived in Northern California, and with it comes the closure of the main park road (Hwy 89) through Lassen Volcanic National Park. As of November 13th, 2024, you can’t drive all the way through the park. This also marks the time in which … Read more
INCLINE VILLAGE, NEV. (October 30, 2024) – With early winter storms sweeping across the Sierra Nevada, travelers should be prepared for temporary closures on several popular Sierra passes. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has temporarily closed Sonora, Ebbetts, and Monitor Passes due to storm conditions, icy roads, and ongoing safety evaluations. Here’s what you … Read more
Carson City, Nevada – This weekend, as autumn sets fire to the Sierra Nevada, Nevadans roll up their sleeves and turn out in droves to celebrate something sacred: Nevada Day. And let’s face it, folks, there’s nothing quite like Nevada Day. For a state born out of grit and gold, this annual celebration is more … Read more
I’ve roamed far and wide across the Sierra Nevada, immersing myself in the region’s breathtaking natural wonders. Yet, until this past summer, the enigmatic allure of the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains near Bishop, California, remained an unexplored chapter in my outdoor adventures. A fortuitous window of time before a backpacking expedition … Read more
Lassen Volcanic National Park, a wonderland of geothermal wonders and dramatic volcanic landscapes, beckons adventurers with its diverse offerings. During a recent four-day exploration of the Lake Almanor and Lassen Volcanic National Park region, we embarked on a captivating day hike to Widow Lake, a hidden gem located behind the stunning landscape of Butte Lake. … Read more
Hey Sierra adventurers, get ready to dust off your hiking boots and fire up the motorcycles! Ebbetts Pass is inching closer to opening, and that means epic road trips, stunning hikes, and all the incredible adventures the pass has to offer are just around the corner. Caltrans crews have been battling the snow all season, … Read more
Sonora Pass (West) – Attention outdoor enthusiasts! Get ready to cast your lines, lace up your boots, and breathe in the crisp mountain air – Sonora Pass on Highway 108 is officially open all the way to Kennedy Meadows from Sonora in Tuolumne County as of today, April 24th! This news couldn’t come at a … Read more
Monitors Pass Opened today in the Sierra Nevada. ALPINE COUNTY – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will formally reopen State Route 89 over Monitor Pass on Wednesday, April 10, 2024,at 12:00 p.m. for the spring/summer 2024 season barring any unforeseen weather circumstances. Monitor Pass, at 8,314 feet of elevation, has been closed since early-January … Read more
As one of the most beautiful and diverse regions of the United States, Sierra Nevada offers a combination of stunning natural beauty, rich history, and unique dining experiences. Our journey will take us along the extraordinary Highway 395, a road that offers an unparalleled scenic drive through this magnificent mountain range. This article will serve … Read more
Death Valley conjures images of scorching heat and endless stretches of cracked earth, but in 2024 Death Valley is a new discovery, as Rain and Regional Snow packs over the past two years have transformed this wild scarred land into a must see experience in 2024. From The return of Lake Manly to the rain … Read more
Winter Passes Re-Opened to Traffic SONORA PASS (STATE ROUTE 108) | EBBETTS PASS (STATE ROUTE 4) TUOLUMNE COUNTY – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will re-open the temporary closure of State Route 108 (Sonora Pass) at Kennedy Meadows to traffic beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. ALPINE COUNTY – The California … Read more
Temporary Closure of Highway 4 Ebbett’s Pass ALPINE COUNTY- Tuesday October 24, 2023 – – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will close State Route 4 from Lake Alpine to the Route 89 junction (Ebbetts Pass) due to snowy conditions, beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. There is currently no estimated time … Read more
DEATH VALLEY, Calif. – Caltrans and the National Park Service (NPS) announced that parts of State Route 190 (CA-190) and Death Valley National Park are tentatively scheduled to reopen on October 15. The only access into the park will be from the west via Lone Pine, CA. This reopening date depends on several factors, including … Read more
Joshua Tree national Park and Death Valley National Park Prepare for Flash Flood Dangers from Tropical Storm Hilary with Closures Joshua Tree National Park , Ca – August 19, 2023 – Due to Tropical Storm Hilary, Joshua Tree National Park today Closed the entire park until Monday August 21st and Death Valley National Park started … Read more
Crossing the Sierra during the summer season is a right of passage for many that love to adventure into the Sierra for travel and recreation. Typically the three largest scenic Byways (Tioga Pass/ 120, Sonora Pass/108 and Ebbett’s Pass / 4) open in mid may to Early June each season and recreational visitors scramble up … Read more