From Capitol Steps to Canadian Pines: Meet the First Carson City to Canada Quest Hikers
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine There’s something magical about standing on a trail, looking north, and knowing it stretches all the way to Canada. For most Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) hikers, that journey begins months earlier in the rugged deserts of Southern...
Sierra Trail Alert: Major Trail Closures at Marlette Lake for Dam Repairs Through 2026
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine Lake Tahoe’s East Shore backcountry is facing a major shift this summer — and beyond. As of March 31, 2025, the Nevada Division of State Parks has closed large portions of the trail network around Marlette Lake for critical dam...
Forest Service Reaches Decision on Basin Wide Trails Analysis
Basin Wide Trails Analysis Project in Lake Tahoe: What It Means for Trail Enthusiasts and E-Bike usage SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — In exciting news for outdoor enthusiasts and trail lovers, the USDA Forest Service’s Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) has released...
Forest Service encourages responsible recreation July 4 at Lake Tahoe
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif., June 27, 2023 – The Fourth of July holiday is next week and marks one of the busiest times of year in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) has provided the following helpful information and...
Exploring Desolation Wilderness: A Guide to Obtaining Permits for Your Next Adventure
Ropi Lake Desolation Wilderness by Charlie Pankey
Plan Ahead on National Forests this Labor Day Weekend
A Few Things to Know if Heading to Tahoe This Weekend regarding Bears, Fires, Access and Caldor Fire Responsibilities SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif., Sep. 1, 2022 – With Labor Day weekend approaching, the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) reminds...
Discover the Treasures of the Twin Lake Trail in Desolation Wilderness
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....
D.L Bliss State Park Summer Updates
D.L Bliss Camping Opens June 16th D.L. Bliss State Park , Lake Tahoe C, June 3, 2022 - D.L. Bliss State Park opened up day use activities on May 26th of 2022. Camping season will open on June 16th, 2022 with a few less resources. Two Loops are Closed because of water...
Bear Proof Your Backpacking Experience in Desolation Wilderness
How to Best Ensure You are Not sharing Your Food With Bears in Desolation Desolation Wilderness - Backpackers flock to Desolation Wilderness Spring thru till winter. There really are few places like it on earth. Over generations of use however many things have changed...
Tahoe Rim Trail Guided Through Hike Applications Start March 9th
Is this your year to hike the rim? TRT begins accepting applications Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at 10 AM PST. Lake Tahoe, March 9, 2022 - The Tahoe Rim Trail is a 165 mile loop around the mountain rim of Lake Tahoe. It travels through lush forest, wild wilderness...
Yosemite Backpackers Campground Displaced in 2025: What Hikers Need to Know
Reduced capacity. Limited communication. Rising safety concerns. If you’re planning a wilderness trip into Yosemite National Park this year, take note—significant changes are underway that could impact your entire route. And with little notice or explanation,...
Cathedral Lakes Trail Guide: Yosemite’s High Sierra Icon
Cathedral Lakes might just be the ultimate High Sierra day hike in Yosemite National Park. With two lakes, completely different in personality and experience, this trail offers both the postcard-worthy alpine scenes that define Yosemite and quieter corners for those...
May Lake to Snow Creek: A Quiet Yosemite Loop with Big Valley Views
Sometimes, Yosemite’s most soul-stirring hikes don’t begin in the valley. They start high, stay quiet, and lead you to unexpected encounters with Half Dome, wildlife, and waterfalls the crowds will never see. This loop from May Lake Trailhead to Mt. Watkins and Snow...
Glen Aulin Trail Guide: Journey to Yosemite’s Waterfall Cathedral
From the heart of Tuolumne Meadows, the Glen Aulin Trail takes hikers on a journey that feels like poetry in motion—meandering along the Tuolumne River before plunging dramatically into Yosemite’s Grand Canyon. This 13-mile round-trip hike is a Sierra classic:...
Chasing Waterfalls: A Spectacular Yosemite Adventure at Chilnualna Falls
Yosemite National Park is a treasure trove of natural wonders, but one gem that often remains hidden from the spotlight is Chilnualna Falls. Located in the southern part of the park, this cascading wonder comes to life in high-water years, offering visitors an...
Yosemite High Sierra Camps Open Again in 2023
June 2023 Update: Because of historic snow pack at Yosemite's ability to get into the high camps this season they have canceled the opening of the 2023 high camps and issued refunds to all lottery winners for the camps in 2023. Lottery winners were notified by email...
Plan A Yosemite Wilderness Experience Today
The first wave of Yosemite Wilderness Permits Early in November Each Year. Yosemite National Park, November 11, 2021 - Yosemite National Park features 1,200 square miles of iconic landscapes with millions of visitors traveling to Yosemite to experience the park and...
A Return to Young Lakes in Yosemite
Backpacking Adventure to Yosemite National's Park North East Borders to Visit Young and Roosevelt Lakes. Tuolumne Meadows - Yosemite National Park - 2021- Four years ago I took my first backpacking trip into Yosemite National Park to Young lakes. This first visit was...
May Lake at Sunrise in Yosemite
May Lake and Mt. Hoffmann are a perfect match for an early morning Sunrise Reflection.
Hammock Camping in California National Parks
Tent or Hammock? It has become one of the most asked questions for backcountry backpackers and national park visitors over the past 6-7 years. About four years ago, I switched from tent camping to hammock camping and had never looked back. My sleep comfort level is...
Trail-Tested: Chasing Fall Colors in Green Creek Canyon to West Lake
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...
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...
Raise the Rim Hits $15K Goal in Just 7 Days—But the Trail Love Doesn’t Stop There
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...
Hoover Wilderness Overnight Permits Increases to $8 Per Person Per Trip
Bridgeport, Calif. , January 28, 2025 – The price for overnight trip permits on specific high-use trailheads on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest portion of the Hoover Wilderness will increase this year. This fee increase will provide direct funding to aid in the...
Exploring Truckee and Desolation Wilderness with Venturing Out
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...
Forest Service seeks Tahoe volunteers for Desolation Wilderness
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...
A Serene Day Hike to Greenstone Lake
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...
Backpacking the West Walker River Basin in Hoover Wilderness
A Three Day Backpacking trip from the Leavitt Meadow Trailhead into Hoover Wilderness In my 15 years living in the Sierra Nevada, Leavitt Meadow's access to the Hoover wilderness has been a prevalent summer theme for me, to a point. The reality is that up until this...
TAHOE FUND LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN FOR MAJOR TRAIL RESTORATION WORK IN DESOLATION WILDERNESS
Nonprofit is doubling all donations up to $50,000 for repairs on 19 miles of highly trafficked trail TAHOE CITY, Calif. (July 12, 2023) - Nineteen miles of trail that travel through Desolation Wilderness from Echo Lakes to Lake Aloha are in desperate need of...
Lake Aloha Trail Report July 2, 2023
Fourth of July Weekend Hike or Backpacking trips should be altered Desolation Wilderness , Lake Tahoe - June 2, 2023 - Today represented my first day in Desolation wilderness for 2023 hiking season. So I headed to familiar territory and hiked in on the Echo Lake Trail...
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...
Highland Lakes Dispersed Camping & Gardner Meadow Loop Hike
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,...
Yosemite Valley Loop Trail
Yosemite Valley Loop Trail: The Quietest, Most Authentic Hike in Yosemite Valley The Yosemite Valley Loop Trail is what most visitors miss—and what I sometimes wish I didn’t. At 11.5 miles (or 7.2 for the half loop), this mostly level path loops around the entire...
Sierra Rec Magazines Guide to the Giant Forest
The giant forest in Sequoia National Park is a special place in the Sierra Nevada. It was discovered in 1858 by local Hale Tharp, guided by a native Indian search party. Later named the Giant Forest by John Muir is not only the largest display of Giant Sequoia in the...
Ubehebe Crater and Racetrack Reopen in Death Valley National Park
Additional areas of Death Valley National Park opening 12/23: North Highway, Ubehebe Crater, and The Racetrack DEATH VALLEY, Calif., December 23, 2023 – On Saturday, Death Valley National Park will reopen 95 miles of flood-damaged roads. Pockets of wildflowers and...
Chasing Waterfalls: A Spectacular Yosemite Adventure at Chilnualna Falls
Yosemite National Park is a treasure trove of natural wonders, but one gem that often remains hidden from the spotlight is Chilnualna Falls. Located in the southern part of the park, this cascading wonder comes to life in high-water years, offering visitors an...
Badwater Road reopened after weekend flooding in Death Valley
Seasonal Flooding has Closed many Visitor Favorites because of Damage DEATH VALLEY, Calif. – Badwater Road reopened on May 25 after National Park Service (NPS) employees moved dirt and rocks off the road and filled in unsafe drop-offs on road edges. Park rangers...
The Road to Bagley Valley
Man stands and views Carson Iceberg Wilderness. Photo Credit Brandon Pankey
California Tahoe Conservancy Announces Seasonal Dog Closure to Protect Wildlife at Upper Truckee Marsh
South Lake Tahoe, Calif. - May 1, 2023—Starting today, the California Tahoe Conservancy is closing the Upper Truckee Marsh to dogs. This annual seasonal closure protects birds and other wildlife during the breeding season. People must keep dogs away from the sensitive...
Woman successfully found after an unintended night out at Badwater Basin
DEATH VALLEY, Calif. – Park rangers were dispatched to Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park around 2:30 am on the morning of March 24, 2023 to look for a woman reported missing by her companions. The woman returned around 8:20 am after hiking to a road and...
onX Offroad Searching for Applicants for 2026 Nationwide Trail Revival Projects
2025 projects repaired 30+ trails, recruited 400+ volunteers MISSOULA, Mont. – Building off of the success of 2025’s Trail Revival Projects which repaired 30+ trials, recruited 400+ volunteers, and donated more than $50,000 to offroad clubs and...
Halloween & Nevada Day: A Perfect Sierra Weekend
In the Sierra, we don’t just celebrate one season at a time — we chase them both. This weekend, Carson City and the Eastern Sierra are glowing with autumn color while snow-dusted peaks above Carson Valley whisper that ski season is just around the corner. It’s that...
Raise the Rim Hits $15K Goal in Just 7 Days—But the Trail Love Doesn’t Stop There
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...
Join the Bear Valley Trail Work Day: Give Back to the Trails You Love This Saturday
If you love hiking, biking, or exploring the beautiful trails around Bear Valley, here’s your chance to give back while connecting with your community. This Saturday, July 12th, the Bear Valley Trail Stewardship is hosting a Trail Work Day, inviting local trail users...
Sherwin’s Trail Network: Mammoth’s New High Desert Playground Opens
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...
Highland Lakes Dispersed Camping & Gardner Meadow Loop Hike
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,...
Trail-Tested: Lake Almanor Recreation Trail
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...
Hiking to Leavitt Lake: A Hidden Sierra Adventure off Sonora Pass
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,...
Three Iconic Trail Running Events. One Legendary Mountain.
Olympic Valley Becomes the Epicenter of Trail Running This June with Broken Arrow, TrailCon, and the Western States 100 Olympic Valley, CA — June 2025 — If you’re a trail runner, a fan of endurance sports, or simply someone who thrives on high-altitude energy and...
Answering the Call: Help Rebuild Bear Valley’s Trails This Summer
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine There’s a saying that echoes through the backcountry this time of year: trails aren’t born—they’re built. And in Bear Valley, that truth couldn’t be more real in 2025. As the snow melts and the first wildflowers break through...
