Emigrant Wilderness -

Yellowhammer Lake and the Lost Work of the Sierra

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

7 Best Spring Wilderness Hikes in the Sierras

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

Chasing 100 Miles in the Sierra: A Summer of Wilderness, Discovery & Legacy

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

Secrets of the Sierra: Backpacking, Volunteering and Wilderness Stories with Paul Wagner

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

Trail Tested Gear Review: Backpacker’s Pantry Pad Thai with Chicken

Backpackers meal and stove in wilderness

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

Four Days Deep in the Emigrant Wilderness: Conquering Granite and Lakes

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

Discovering the Joy of Backpacking in Tahoe National Forest with Sierra Summit Expeditions

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

Explore Emigrant Wilderness Without the Pack Weight

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

Discover Big Lake – Emigrant Wilderness Backpacking trip

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

Hike Further, Explore More: Unveiling the Backcountry with Aspen Meadow Pack Station

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

Backpacking Hyatt Lake in Emigrant Wilderness

Backpacking Hyatt Lake in Emigrant Wilderness Like much of the Sierra Nevada, the Emigrant Wilderness is a land of endless granite landscapes carved out by glaciers and water over millions of years. It is a place where the pines, cedars, and firs of the Stanislaus National Forest gradually thin as granite cliffs, mountain tops, and … Read more

Wildfire Restrictions Initiated on BLM-managed public lands Western Sierra

BLM Mother Lode Field Office initiates seasonal fire restrictions EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management Mother Lode Field Office is initiating fire restrictions on BLM-managed public lands in Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Mariposa, Merced, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tuolumne and Yuba counties, effective June 14, due to wildland … Read more

Sonora Pass and Ebbett's Pass Open For Summer Season

Expect lots of snow, but access over two of the Sierra Popular Scenic Routes opened today for recreational travel. TUOLUMNE COUNTY — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has removed the winter snow, cleared the debris, made necessary repairs and opened State Route 108 (SR-108)/Sonora Pass at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Sonora … Read more

Seasonal Snow May Delay Opening Of Stanislaus National forest Access

Some seasonal roads on Stanislaus National Forest may remain closed past April 15 SONORA, Calif. – Stanislaus National Forest will open seasonal roads beginning April 15, but some forest roads will remain closed until forest crews can inspect them to ensure they were not damaged during this year’s winter storms. Jason Kuiken, Stanislaus National Forest supervisor, … Read more

23 Great High Sierra Hikes

15' in review – 16 Great Adventure Trips into the Sierra

Vernal Falls Yosemite National Park Clarks Point

Our Top Adventure Locations Visited in the Sierra in 2015

Sierra Mountains 2015 – What a great year of exploring in the Sierra. The Low 2015 snow pack gave us access to greater areas earlier and Sierra REC had a blast exploring new areas and sharing our adventures. As we sit and look into 2016 and the various places we look forward to seeing for the first time, here is an end of the year review of the top 16 places we explored in 2015!

highland_lakes stanislaus National forest — Highland_lakes Stanislaus National forest

a bear standing on a rock in a forest — Heavenly Resort Ropes Course

the lake is surrounded by mountains and trees — Elizabeth Lake Yosemite

Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Rim Trail

Access to the Tahoe Rim trail in 2015 gave us great Views of Lake Tahoe

2) Grovers Hot Springs in Alpine County

Grovers Hot Springs in Alpine County was a great Winter Hike in 2015

3) Horsetail Falls Trail off HWY 50

2) Grovers Hot Springs in Alpine County

Grovers Hot Springs in Alpine County was a great Winter Hike in 2015

3) Horsetail Falls Trail off HWY 50

Horsetail Falls - HWY 50 West of Lake Tahoe — Horsetail Falls – HWY 50 West of Lake Tahoe

4) Family trip to The Gold Lakes Area in the Central Sierra

Golds Lake Hwy and the Graeagle Recreational area

5)Yosemite National Park – Mist Trail & Vernal Falls

Vernal Falls along the Mist Trail — The Mist Trail in Yosemite National Park and Vernal Falls

6) Nevada Falls

7) Donner Lake and the Old Train Tunnels

8)Shealor Lake in Alpine County

9)Emigrant Lake in the Central Sierra.

10) Winnemucca Lake

11)Highlands Lake

12)Family Day on the Ropes at Heavenly Mountain Resort and Views of Lake Tahoe

a person riding on a ski lift over a mountain — Lake Tahoe From Heavenly Mountain – Family day on the Ropes at Heavenly

13)Sonora Pass – Many Recreational Stops

14)Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls National Monument

Devils Postpile National Monument and Rainbow Falls.

15)Yosemite’s Elizabeth Lake Hike with Lifepoint Expeditions

Elizabeth Lake - Yosemite National Park — Elizabeth Lake – Yosemite National Park

16)The Great Tenaya Lake in Yosemite is one of my favorite places to just sit and enjoy the view.

So many great Adventures in 2015. And So many photos that did not make the list. Look forward to bringing you new places and new photos f the Sierra and all its great recreational adventures in 2016. Hope you are able to get out and explore for yourself. Send us your favorite adventure photos from the sierra or Hashtag us at #goexplore or #sierrarec.

Sierra REC Magazine is dedicated to sharing the events, news and adventure opportunities that exist in The Sierra Mountains. From Lassen Volcanic National Park to the North down through the Central Sierra and the Lake Tahoe Basin through the rugged eastern slopes of the Mono county and Yosemite National park to the southern tips near Sequoia National Park and the PCT trail. We invite you to share stories, trips and photos from your adventures in the Sierra. Please join us on Facebook, Twitter Google + and You-Tube or email us your events and photos at sierrarecinfo@gmail.com #goexplore