Some places are almost impossible to explain until you’ve stood in them. Juan Veruete calls the Sierra Nevada his “million-word places”—landscapes where even the best photograph never quite captures the scale of what’s in front of you. In this conversation, Juan joins the Sierra Rec Now Podcast to talk about a backpacking life shaped by … Read more
Here’s What Visitors Need to Know—and Why Your Voice Matters. For more than 14 years, I’ve had the privilege of exploring and covering the Sierra Nevada. During that time, I’ve watched parking lots fill earlier each season, permit systems expand, and trailheads become busier than I ever imagined. I’ve also watched volunteers, rangers, nonprofit organizations … Read more
There are mountain towns that feel busy. Then there are mountain towns that feel like summer. When I first spotted Shaver Lake on a map while exploring backroads through the Sierra Nevada, it reminded me of the communities I grew up around in Central Oregon. Places built around lake days, trail adventures, campfires, and evenings … Read more
Why do we keep coming back to the mountains? That simple question shaped one of the most thoughtful conversations we’ve had on Sierra Rec Now. This week, Charlie Pankey sits down with backpacker, fly fisherman, and creator behind Juan Backpacks, Juan Veruete, to discuss the John Muir Trail, the Tahoe Rim Trail, ultralight backpacking, and … Read more
A Trail-Tested Story from the Emigrant Wilderness There’s a version of the Sierra most people never see. It’s not the polished version—the one we photograph at sunrise or chase across trail maps and bucket lists. It’s older than that. Harder. Quieter. And if you’re not paying attention, you’ll walk right past it. We were standing … 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
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
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
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
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
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
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine Backpacking might sound intimidating to someone new to the outdoors, but for James O’Neill and Kelsey Bollman of Sierra Summit Expeditions, it’s all about helping people fall in love with the backcountry—without the stress. In this week’s Sierra Rec Now podcast episode, we sat down with James and … Read more
Featuring Seth Diemel from Aspen Meadow Pack Station on the Sierra Rec Now Podcast Looking for a summer adventure into the less-crowded corners of the Sierra Nevada? Whether you’re a family introducing your kids to backpacking or a solo hiker wanting to go light and go deep, this week’s episode of Sierra Rec Now is … Read more
A Saturday Escape Down 395 It’s been a long month here at Sierra Rec Magazine, but as the weekend arrived and we wrapped up the Spring issue, that familiar urge to get outside and see something new took over. After all the editing, reviewing, and planning, it was time to fill our own cup with … Read more
Discovering Greenstone Lake: The Gateway to 20 Lakes Basin Tucked within the Hoover Wilderness just outside of the North East corner of Yosemite national Park, Greenstone Lake is the perfect introduction to the breathtaking 20 Lakes Basin and Eastern Sierra high Alpine lakes. Shadowed by Mt Conness and North Peak int he White mountain Range … Read more
Big Lake is a gem of the Emigrant Wilderness. The journey there is as rewarding as the destination itself, with trails winding through diverse terrains, from lush meadows to rugged granite slabs. The lake’s remote setting ensures a tranquil escape, perfect for fishing or simply soaking in the panoramic views. While the journey requires effort, … Read more
Exploring the Sierra with Nikki Umatum: Founder of Venturing Out Guide Service The Sierra Nevada is home to countless outdoor enthusiasts, but few bring as much heart and passion to their adventures as Nicole Umatum. Nikki, the founder of Venturing Out Guide Service in Truckee, California, joined us this week on the Sierra Rec Now … Read more
If you’re one who enjoys epic peaks and alpine lakes, Kearsarge Pass is the hike for you. Clocking in at approximately 14 miles round trip within 3 days, the Kearsarge Pass to Kearsarge Lakes Trail most definitely filled my desire for an impressive High Sierra adventure. The trailhead is located at the end of Onion … Read more
A weekend in the Chocolate Lakes with new friends The Invite was for a quick trip into the John Muir Wilderness. The Chocolate Lakes off the Bishop Pass trail at South Lake near Bishop. This 6.6-mile loop trail is generally considered moderately challenging by visitors, but it is often completed as a day trip that … Read more
The John Muir Trail (JMT) and John Muir Wilderness is a rite of passage for many backpackers across California. It’s a beast of a trail, no doubt, but it’s also a magnet for crowds even with trail quotas and lotteries. Destinations like Mt Whitney and the High Sierra Trail and Kearsarge Pass are iconic adventure … Read more
Have you ever dreamt of diving deep into the heart of California’s Emigrant wilderness, but the thought of lugging a heavy backpack all week held you back? Well, fret no more! In our recent podcast episode with Seth Diemel, co-owner of Aspen Meadow Pack Station, we explored not only their exciting new “Backpacker Special,” but … Read more
I’ve always been captivated by Yosemite National Park and all of the hiking opportunities the iconic National Park has to offer, but I haven’t explored much of the trails a bit outside of the park along Tioga Pass Road until a recent, somewhat spontaneous trip to Tioga Peak. During an early June camping trip to … Read more
Late spring is an active time for Tahoe bear cubs and yearlings LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev., June 5, 2024 – As temperatures rise, bear cubs and yearling bears are emerging from winter dens. Some remain with their mothers, others are independent, and a few may show signs of illness. The Tahoe Interagency Bear Team (TIBT) urges the public … Read more
An introductory note to the reader:In a previous issue of Sierra REC published last year, I wrote an article entitled: Desolation Wilderness Lake Name Origins. At the conclusion of the article, I said I would write a follow-up article in a future issue about the naming of Lake Aloha. Here it is: Considering the way … Read more
A Backpacker’s Treasure Hunt in the Mokelumne The golden light of late afternoon was painting the Carson Pass Summit in warm hues as I shouldered my pack and hit the trail. The backpack felt familiar, a comforting weight on my seasoned shoulders. Tonight, I would be following the usual well-trodden path of many past day … Read more
A Ladies’ Weekend in the Wild The Mammoth sun beat down on our little band of adventurers – four women fueled by a deep-seated wanderlust and a thirst for something beyond the usual tourist trail. Our destination: Bloody Canyon, a whisper of a path promising solitude and Sierra splendor. Forget the crowded vistas of Yosemite … Read more
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif., April 1, 2024 – Do you love Desolation Wilderness? Can you help preserve this special place of breathtaking beauty and keep it wild? Would you enjoy doing something meaningful by joining volunteers who spend time “giving back” to ensure this unique area will remain special? The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management … Read more
It’s impossible to know when a survival situation will arrive. That’s why preparing for the possibility is crucial for your survival. Learn how here.
For a decade, I’ve traversed the Sierra Nevada, conquering iconic trails in beautiful Wilderness areas like Ansel Adams, Hoover and Desolation. But for those seeking a taste of solitude and untouched wilderness, the true magic lies beyond the well-beaten paths. Here, I unveil a collection of hidden gem backpacking adventures, perfect for seasoned explorers and … Read more
Cell phones aren’t always the most reliable means of communication for outdoor enthusiasts. Learn how to contact emergency services while in the wilderness.
Are you planning your 2024 adventures near Lake Tahoe? Michael Weindel, Regional Photographer and friend of Sierra Rec Magazine, recently shared a unique day hike loop involving Mt. Tallac, Dicks Pass and Fallen Leaf Lake that is worth exploring. Especially if you like the challenge of vertical accents and taking a path that few others … Read more
Roughing it in the wilderness can be amazing, but it can quickly become a nightmare without the proper knowledge or tools. Here are some crucial for newcomers.
A Challenging Desolation Wilderness Adventure Why do I do this to myself? I’m tired and cold. Who gets up at 5 am on a Sunday to drag themselves up a mountain, especially when that mountain was being blanketed in snow as I prepared for this journey?The Bayview Trailhead has led me to Maggie’s Peak several … Read more
I’m sure many of you can relate to my absolute awe and fascination with the Eastern Sierra. I am always seeking new areas to explore and when someone recommended Iceberg Lake, I knew it was a hike I wanted to tackle before winter arrives. This incredible hike navigates around a series of lakes: Shadow Lake … Read more
A Hidden Gem in the Sierra Nevada’s Tioga Pass Hidden amidst the majestic Sierra Nevada, just beyond the northern edge of Saddlebag Lake, lies a alpine lake gem that promises to transport you to a world of unparalleled natural beauty. Greenstone Lake, a stunning destination in the 20 Lakes Basin of the Hoover Wilderness, offers … Read more
A Beginners Guide to Hiking the Sierra Nevada Table of Contents Sierra Rec Magazine’s Beginners Guide to Hiking the Sierra Nevada If you’re a hiking enthusiast, then the Sierra Nevada Mountains should be at the top of your bucket list. Known for their breathtaking views, diverse ecosystems, and challenging terrains, these mountains offer some of … Read more
Nestled in the heart of Plumas County, near the charming town of Quincy, California, the Bucks Lake Wilderness beckons adventurers to immerse themselves in a realm of unspoiled beauty. With a landscape as diverse as it is awe-inspiring, this wilderness area is an homage to both its historic legacy and the conservation efforts that have … Read more
