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
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
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
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
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
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
Discover why Lassen Volcanic National Park may be one of California’s most overlooked summer adventures. This week on Sierra Rec Now, I sit down with Sharon Roberts from St. Bernard Lodge to talk about planning a Lassen getaway, hidden road-trip stops, family travel ideas, wildlife, geothermal wonders, and why this region deserves a place on … Read more
For more than 50 years, one of California’s most unique mountain traditions has been quietly bringing families, musicians, campers, and outdoor travelers together in the Sierra foothills. This week on Sierra Rec Now, Charlie sits down with Pete Ludé of the California Bluegrass Association to explore the 51st Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival in Grass Valley, … Read more
Tioga Pass is finally opening for the season, reopening one of the most incredible drives into Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada High Country. But for Sierra Rec Magazine publisher Charlie Pankey, Tioga Pass has always been more than just a road into Yosemite. It’s the gateway to a completely different version of Yosemite. … Read more
There’s something special about the old cabins hidden throughout the Sierra Nevada. The hand-hewn logs. The stories buried in the walls. The reminder that generations before us survived in places many of us now only visit for adventure. This summer, volunteers have a chance to help preserve one of the Sierra’s oldest surviving log structures. … Read more
Every spring, when Ebbetts Pass opens for the season, Charlie Pankey feels the pull to go. For nearly a decade, opening weekend on Highway 4 has become a personal Sierra tradition—driving through lingering snowfields, roaring seasonal waterfalls, narrow cliffside roads, alpine meadows, and hidden pullouts that most travelers drive right past. In this episode of … Read more
Snowfields, hidden waterfalls, Pacific Creek, Kinney Lakes, and one of the wildest scenic drives in the Sierra Nevada. Every year when Ebbetts Pass opens for the season, I feel the pull to go. Not because I have some big objective or adventure planned. Honestly, most years it’s just a classic Sierra “dink around day.” A … Read more
Spring in the Sierra is never predictable—and that’s exactly what makes it special. In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie Pankey breaks down what’s happening right now across the Sierra Nevada as the scenic passes begin to open… and close again. Sonora Pass is officially open, while Tioga Pass and Ebbetts Pass are still … Read more
If you’ve ever woken up in the backcountry—whether it’s in Yosemite, the Emigrant Wilderness, or somewhere deep in the Sierra—you know that moment… The air is still.The light is just starting to break over the granite.And all you want is a good cup of coffee. But let’s be honest… most camp coffee doesn’t live up … Read more
What makes someone run 100 miles—and then sign up for another one? In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie Pankey sits down with Josh Sprague, founder of Orange Mud and ultra endurance athlete, to explore the deeper “why” behind pushing physical and mental limits. From Kansas dirt roads to 700-mile gravel races, Josh shares … Read more
In this episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, Charlie Pankey sits down with Matt Moreau, founder and CEO of The Landmark Project—an outdoor lifestyle brand built around art, storytelling, and a deep connection to America’s national parks and forests. With National Parks Week and Earth Day around the corner, this conversation explores why public … Read more
We just released our 25th edition of Sierra Rec Magazine—our Spring Gear Guide packed with new products, innovations, and gear we genuinely love. But this episode asks a different question: Do we actually need all of it? In this conversation with Ron Donchez of Thacker NYC, we step outside our normal Sierra-focused storytelling to explore … Read more
This year, I got denied at Mount Rainier. Then I got denied again at North Cascades. But somehow… I still landed a Yosemite permit. That didn’t make sense. In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, I break down what’s really happening with wilderness permits across the West—and why it’s not about how popular a park … Read more
5th Annual Plein Air Festival – Quincy California Quincy, CA — March 12, 2026 — The 5th Annual Lost Sierra Plein Air Festival takes place May 9 through May 17, hosted by Bear Creek Frames in Quincy, California. The week-long event welcomes artists of all skill levels to paint outdoors while capturing the scenic beauty … 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
The Rae Lakes Loop in Kings Canyon National Park is one of the most iconic backpacking routes in the Sierra Nevada—and a dream trip for many hikers exploring California’s high country. In this episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, host Charlie Pankey sits down with author Rob Scott, whose new book Into the Range … Read more
In this solo episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, Charlie Pankey shares updates from the trail, insights from the outdoor industry, and practical advice for planning your next Sierra adventure. Charlie recently returned from the Outdoor Media Alliance (OMA) event in Denver, where outdoor brands gather with media to showcase upcoming gear and innovations … Read more
What does it really mean to be “trail ready”? In this episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, Charlie sits down with Liz and Paul, the founders of the Trail Ready Program, to talk about hiking preparedness, real-world mistakes, and the small decisions that can make a big difference in the backcountry. The conversation begins … Read more
A season of Sierra trips with Crazy Creek’s inflatable chair and pad hybrid Last spring, we introduced Crazy Creek’s AirLounger with plans to bring it along on real Sierra adventures — from lakeside lounging to backcountry camps. Over the course of the season, it joined us on snow hikes, day trips, and a short pack … Read more
The Lost Sierra is one of California’s most breathtaking — and least understood — mountain regions. In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie sits down with Greg Williams, founder of the Connected Communities initiative, to explore how a bold vision for trails and recreation is helping rural mountain towns build a sustainable future. From … Read more
Big snow is finally showing up in the forecast — and Caesars Rewards just rolled out a limited-time “Suite Escape” promo that fits a powder weekend perfectly. Here’s how to turn the storm cycle into a comfortable Reno + Tahoe getaway (with a few local strategy tips to actually enjoy it). The most recent storm … Read more
Car camping and dispersed camping are exploding across the Sierra Nevada — and for good reason. In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie Pankey sits down with Emma from Napier Outdoors — one of the original innovators behind truck tents and SUV tents — to break down what vehicle camping really means, why it’s … Read more
We’re kicking off camping season with a hands-on setup and first look at the Napier SUV Tent 84000 with Screen Room — a versatile vehicle camping shelter designed for SUVs, Jeeps, and other adventure vehicles. In this video, we take you through the real first setup on a Jeep Wrangler in Central Oregon with family, … Read more
Car camping in the Sierra is having a moment. With lighter snowpack this year and more families looking for flexible ways to get outdoors, we’re seeing a real shift in how people approach camping across the Sierra Nevada. Campgrounds are often full. Permits can be competitive. And more and more people are looking at dispersed … Read more
Today’s conversation is one I’ve really been looking forward to. A few weeks ago, I watched a new North Face Documentary film called TRANGO and it stayed with me—not because of how steep or extreme it was, but because of how thoughtfully it approached the mountain. Today, I’m joined by Jim Morrison and Christina “Lusti” … Read more
Snow has finally arrived across the Sierra Nevada, and holiday travelers are heading for the mountains. In this festive Sierra Rec Now update, Charlie Pankey shares his favorite non-ski winter adventures—from snowshoeing and sledding to quiet meadow walks and family-friendly snow play. This episode is perfect for travelers visiting Lake Tahoe, Alpine County, and the … Read more
Clean Up the Lake is launching a bold new effort to clean Lake Tahoe’s deepest zones, and in this episode of Sierra Rec Now, we go underwater to understand why it matters. Host Charlie Pankey talks with Jenny Uvira, Programs Manager at Clean Up the Lake, about cold-water diving, toxic debris, historic artifacts, invasive species … Read more
Clean Up The Lake sets out on their second lap of Lake Tahoe – “The 72 Mile Deep Clean” Tahoe City, CA (December 11, 2025) – Clean Up The Lake (CUTL), the Tahoe nonprofit known for its environmental dive team, SCUBA cleanups, and completing the 72-mile cleanup of Lake Tahoe at depths of 0–25 feet in … Read more
Discovering New Adventures in Washington’s North Cascades | Sierra Rec Now After nearly two decades of Sierra Nevada adventures, my family has officially moved north — to Mount Vernon, Washington. In this week’s episode, I’m reflecting on what it’s like trading Tahoe blue for glacial green, sunny granite trails for fern-covered rainforest slopes, and snowshoe … Read more
December arrives quietly in the Sierra.A hard frost on the pastures.The soft glow of lights in historic downtown windows.A hush that settles over the mountains before the season truly begins. And then—almost overnight—the region comes alive. Carson Valley’s small towns warm their gazebos and gather their carolers. Carson City strings lights across its stately Capitol … Read more
This week on Sierra Rec Now, host Charlie Pankey brings listeners into a new personal chapter: a move from the Carson Valley to Washington’s Skagit Valley. Charlie reflects on nearly a decade documenting the Sierra Nevada and shares what this transition means for the podcast, the digital magazine, and future mountain explorations. He also dives … Read more
What’s it really like to hike from Mexico to Canada—alone, for six months?In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, host Charlie Pankey welcomes back Audrey Payne, the first participant in the Capital to Canada Quest, who became the only hiker to complete the entire Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in 2024. Audrey shares the full story … Read more
