Mammoth Lakes, CA — July 2025 | This weekend, the Mammoth Lakes community marks a milestone long in the making: the official opening of the Sherwin Trails Recreation Area, a vision nurtured since 2009 and now brought to life with a new paved trailhead, restrooms, and the first of many miles of planned trails at … Read more
Words & Photos by Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine Sponsored by Mountain House, EXPED, and Nestout Summer is finally here, and with it comes our favorite way to explore the Sierra: boondocking adventures that get us closer to trailheads, earlier on the trail, and deeper into the wild. This past weekend, we kicked off … Read more
Ride, Paddle, and Savor the West Shore By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine If you’re searching for a place to slow down, breathe in the high mountain air, and reconnect with the simple joys of outdoor travel, Lake Almanor’s western shore is waiting. Anchored by one of the most scenic and accessible trails in … 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 something ancient about the sound of a fast-moving creek echoing through a canyon. It’s a sound that draws you in—pulls you toward mystery, motion, and a little bit of magic. On a warm spring morning just west of Chester, California, I found myself exploring that sound along … Read more
Cathedral Lakes Trail Guide: Yosemite’s High Sierra Icon Cathedral Lakes is one of those hikes that almost everyone does in Yosemite High country—and almost everyone experiences differently. This is the hike that I recommend to friends that want to experience Yosemite, but might not want a full back country commitment. This was my first hike … Read more
Climb into and Out of the Lakes Basin on the Rim Loop for a great Day hike Discover the pristine beauty of the Lakes Basin near Graeagle with this epic 7.5-mile loop. Beginning at the Bear Lake trailhead, this adventure takes you on a journey through some of the most picturesque alpine scenery in the … Read more
As snowstorms swirled across the Sierra Nevada and the Lake Tahoe Basin last Saturday, I felt the familiar pull to lace up my boots and hit the trail. Staying close to home in the Carson Valley, my longtime hiking buddy, Tom, and I decided to explore the Sierra Canyon section of the Genoa Trail System. … Read more
Truckee Ca. – Last night, the Truckee Trails Association, alongside the Tahoe National Forest, held a vibrant ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the Sawtooth Loop Trail in the Sawtooth Day Use Recreational Area. This trail is a winding single-track loop through a mix of high desert and Jeffrey Pine Forest. It gains … Read more
A day trip to Sierra City and the Wild Plum Loop trail experience December in the Sierra. As soon as you say it, you assume this article would be about incredible snow and winter recreation. However, over the past 10 years, there have been plenty of years where December has had plenty of dirt hiking … Read more
The Carson Valley is my home base, but it is surprising how few times I have hiked one of its oldest trail segments in town, the Fay Luther trail network. That may speak more about the variety of excellent trails we have to choose from , but it could be that I am always so … Read more
A Day Hike Adventure on Palisades Creek Trail and Lake side fun at Long Lake Near Soda Springs CA. Fall hiking adventures in the Sierra Nevada hold a special place in our hearts. It’s akin to unwrapping a Christmas present, filled with the anticipation of discovering new trails and savoring a refreshing mountain lake swim … Read more
A Day Hike Experience in the Giant forest of Sequoia including the Largest Trees in the Park Sequoia National Park: Our first visit to Sequoia National Park was anything but ordinary. In the early summer of 2023, the Park only had one entry point from the Kings Canyon gates north of the Park, and the weather … Read more
The Carson Valley Trail Association Announced the Completion of the New James Lee Park loop Minden Nevada – May 3, 2023 – This past week the Carson Valley Trail association had their annual members showcase meeting where they highlight the work completed in the past year, discuss the issues they currently face and provide a … Read more
Sierra Rec Magazine – August 29, 2022 – A couple of weeks ago, my friends and I embarked on a hiking adventure in the breathtaking Mono Pass regions. Little did we know that this journey would lead us to encounter the talented regional photographer, Michael Weindel, returning from his exploration of the magnificent Koip Pass. … Read more
I have hiked around the Blues Lakes region in Alpine County northwest of Raymond peak for a good part of 10 years. I love to spend the day or evening at Twin or Tamarack lake, which are seldom visited, versus the camping and use areas of Blue lakes. But until this last weekend, I had … Read more
A Favorite Westside Entry Point into Desolation Wilderness Desolation Wilderness – Trail reports – July 2022 – This one trailhead opens up a world of wilderness resources you can experience that will enliven your spirit, soothe your soul, and recharge your life force. The wilderness resources you’ll see along the Twin Lakes trail include granite … Read more
Discovering New Trail Experiences For the Family Sierra Rec Magazine – Trail Review by Tom Trelenberg – This trailhead is accessed off of Hot Springs Road, approximately 3 miles out of Markleeville, CA, about a mile before reaching Grover’s Hot Springs. The trailhead is outside the state park and adds about 20 minutes (one way) … Read more
Crystal Clear Waters Combined With High Alpine Peaks That Will Stop You In Your Tracks Sierra Rec Magazine Adventure Review – September 2017 – Visiting and Exploring 20 Lakes Basin was so much more than I had expected. Have you ever heard a review of a location and it just didn’t do it for you, so … Read more
Hoover Wilderness Backpacking From Leavitt Meadow Sonora Pass – Leavitt Meadow Ca, – Sonora Pass is known for its rugged steep drive over the Sierra. The vista-view points, access to the PCT and various backcountry lakes and hikes. However, for a true experience of Sonora pass a backpacking trip into the Hoover Wilderness provides an … Read more
Leavitt Meadow Pack Station Provides Quality Trip into Hoover Wilderness for Visitors and Guests Leavitt’s Meadow, Sonora Pass Ca – So does hiking 12 miles round trip seems a bit excessive to you? How about riding a horse and enjoying the backcountry all the same? Plus the Pack Horse can carry all you favorite items, fishing … Read more
Hiking and Hot Springs: A Day Trip to Grover Hot Springs State Park In the eastern Sierra Nevada, Grover Hot Springs State Park offers a unique blend of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and geothermal wonder. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a casual adventurer seeking relaxation, the park near Markleville, California, has something for everyone. … Read more
PCT Segment Hikes near Lake Tahoe Exploring the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) is bound to become even more popular as the general public falls in love with the ideas and scenes in the New movie ” Wild”.For many who call Sierra’s home the PCT trail is still something of a myth/ legend. So close to … Read more
