Summer 2025 Issue – Where Adventure Meets Purpose
Explore the Summer 2025 Sierra Rec Magazine: backpacking Yosemite, trail stewardship, alpine views, events, and gear reviews for your next Sierra trip.
This season, we’re diving into the heart of summer in the Sierra with a vibrant mix of trail-tested gear reviews, unforgettable adventure ideas, and a spotlight on the people and projects working to protect the places we love. From high-country hikes to conservation wins and everything in between, this issue is your guide to making the most of summer while giving back to the wild.
Discover the Summer 2025 Edition of Sierra Rec Magazine – your seasonal guide to adventure, conservation, and life in the Sierra Nevada.
This special issue features:
A 4-day Yosemite backpacking story through McCabe Lakes, Roosevelt, and Upper Young Lakes
Trail stewardship in action at Lover’s Leap with the Access Fund
A celebration of high-alpine views across the Sierra’s summits
A definitive summer hiking sock gear guide with field-tested picks
A pollinator-friendly off-trail hiking guide for wildflower country
Art and nature come together in the Tahoe Art League Studio Tour
Conservation spotlight: Montane meadow preservation in Lassen County
Event previews, including August happenings across Tahoe and Plumas
Whether you’re planning a summer backpacking trip, looking for trail-tested gear, or simply want to be inspired by Sierra stories, this edition delivers the soul of summer in the mountains.
Read it now and plan your next Sierra escape.
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine A Four-Day Three-night trip into McCabe, Roosevelt and Young Lakes The planning for this trip started in January, but the dream of it began years earlier. On this July morning, as I packed the final gear into the truck and headed out to pick up Tom, I felt … Read more
When I get the itch for High Sierra hiking, one of the areas I am drawn to is the portion of the Sierra near Bishop. One of the greatest aspects of this area is the availability of easily accessible trailheads. I was recently exploring the area and stumbled upon the hike to George Lake, a … Read more
Demolition Begins This Summer to Restore a Critical Wetland and Protect Lake Clarity By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine – July 2025 Conservation Issue On a warm summer morning in South Lake Tahoe, a long-awaited restoration story begins—not on a trail or mountain peak, but in the demolition of a building that many locals … Read more
(StatePoint) As the sun sets over a forest stream, a beaver family gets to work. For millions of years, these large rodents with bright orange teeth and a flat paddle-shaped tail have been reshaping landscapes by craftily constructing dams that slow flowing water, creating ponds where they build their lodge homes. Chomping through the night, … Read more
Fifty Volunteers, One Shared Passion, and a Trail Worth Saving By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine, July 2025 Conservation Issue This past weekend, beneath the granite cliffs of Lover’s Leap, the air buzzed with the sound of hammers striking stone, trail tools scraping earth, and voices lifted in laughter and grit. I had the … Read more
Finding new hunting locations is always exciting. These are some of the best places to check out in the Sierra Nevada during your next trip.
Avoid ground-sleeping discomfort while camping in the Sierra. Discover unique options, like rooftop tents, hammocks, and more, for a better outdoor experience.
