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

Discovering Emigrant Lake Mokelumne Wilderness in 2023

Emigrant Lake Mokelumne Wilderness

Mokelumne Wilderness – 2023- The Caples Lake Recreation area near Kirkwood Resort off Highway 88 is one of my go-to recreational areas living here in the Carson Valley. Emigrant Lake is an 8-mile outback trial hike exploring the Mokelumne Wilderness’s early boundaries directly south of Caples Lake. If you have never done this beautiful hike … Read more

A Weekend of Discovery in The Blue Lakes Basin

Hiker and Dog at Granite Lake

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

Getting Lost In Wilderness Adventure While Visiting Tahoe

foothills lake, destruction wilderness

Wilderness – Lake Tahoe has so much to offer all year round, but the summer season is off the hook. Do I spend the day in the water, on a beach, on the course of in the mountains? For me, I choose Wilderness 99% of the time. Why? Because in Lake Tahoe basin, there are … Read more

Sonora Pass and Ebbett's Pass Open For Summer Season

ebbett's pass HWY4

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

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!

Gold Lake
Mist Trail
Nevada-Falls-from-JMT-Yosemite
Nevada-Falls-from-JMT-Yosemite
Shealor Lake
lake winemunucut, california
highland_lakes stanislaus National forest
Highland_lakes Stanislaus National forest
a bear standing on a rock in a forest
Heavenly Resort Ropes Course
Sonora Pass
the lake is surrounded by mountains and trees
Elizabeth Lake Yosemite
Devils Post Pile
Devils Post Pile

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
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
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

Donner Lake from the old Train tunnels
Donner Lake from the old Train tunnels


8)Shealor Lake in Alpine County

Shealor Lake
Shealor Lake in Alpine County


 

9)Emigrant Lake in the Central Sierra.

Emigrant Lake
Emigrant Lake Hike .


10) Winnemucca Lake

Winnemucca Lake
Winnemucca Lake and Woods Lake – Kickoff to the start of Lifepoint Expeditions


11)Highlands Lake

Highlands Lake
Day Trip into Highlands Lakes on Ebbett’s Pass


 

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

Sonora Pass
A great Day exploring Sonora Pass.


 

14)Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls National Monument

Devils Postpile National Monument and Rainbow Falls.
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.

Tenaya Lake – Yosemite National Park


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