Past issues and Flip E-editions
Destinations
Spring Runoff and River Soul: A First Float Down the East Fork of the Carson
As snowmelt barrels out of the Sierra each spring and surges down into the valleys, something changes. The volume of the Sierra rises. Waterfalls roar, creeks swell, and the entire range hums a deeper, wilder tune. Spring runoff is a season I've always cherished — usually with boots on trail, hiking alongside a roaring river. [...]
Lake Tahoe
How To Ensure Your Jet Ski Powers Through Lake Tahoe
The water in Lake Tahoe is perfect for a fun time, as long as your jet ski can keep up. Prepare for the day ahead with these maintenance tips and more.
Climbing
High and Mighty: Your Guide to Climbing California’s 14ers in the Sierra Nevada
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine – Summer Issue 2025 Where Legends Are Forged: The Allure of Sierra 14ers In the shadow of granite giants and amid the wild symmetry of the Sierra crest, a legacy was carved not just in stone—but in story. For generations, the Sierra Nevada’s 14,000-foot peaks have beckoned explorers, [...]
Hiking/Backpacking
Ultimate Packing List for Sierra Nevada Backpacking Trips
Master Sierra Nevada backpacking with our essential guide. Find gear tips for clothing, safety, food, and shelter to stay prepared on the trail.
Hiking
Highway 395’s Greatest Hits: 12 Jaw-Dropping Adventures in the Eastern Sierra
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine The Road That Never Stops Giving There’s a moment—usually somewhere between Big Pine and Mammoth—when the Sierra Nevada just takes your breath away. The shadows deepen in the canyons, the ridgelines sharpen, and suddenly every lake, trail, and dirt road feels like a secret you’re being invited to [...]
Destination reviews
7 Small-Town Sierra Festivals Worth a Fall Road Trip
Experience quirky traditions, heritage charm, and fall color across the Sierra Nevada’s most inviting towns. Fall in the Sierra Nevada isn’t just about golden aspen leaves and crisp mountain air—it’s also festival season in some of the most vibrant small towns on both sides of the range. From candy-making and camel races to historic parades [...]
Day Hikes
Planning the Ultimate Dog-Friendly Hiking Adventure
Key Takeaways Discover the essentials for a successful dog-friendly hike. Learn from expert hiking enthusiasts and their canine companions. Enhance your dog's outdoor experience with tips and tricks. Access valuable resources for planning and preparation. Hiking, a timeless activity deeply rooted in our desire to explore the outdoors, becomes an even richer experience when shared [...]
Magazine Articles
Diesel or Gas: Which Is Best for Off-Roading?
Before heading to the Sierra Nevada for off-roading, compare diesel and gas engines. Get the facts on torque, fuel efficiency, and performance at elevation.
Camping
Tips for Preparing for a Camping Trip on Your Motorcycle
Traveling on your motorcycle adds a new level of excitement and freedom to your adventure. Use these tips to prepare for a camping trip on your motorcycle.
Camping
Eco-Friendly Camping Tips for the Sierra
Plan a responsible trip to the Sierra with these eco-friendly camping tips. Minimize your impact while enjoying the great outdoors to protect the wildlife.
Fishing and Hunting
Chasing the Ghosts of the Sierra’s Native Giants
By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine Every June, just as the last snowfields retreat from the Sierra’s granite shoulders, a quiet migration begins beneath the surface. It’s not elk or birds this time — it’s fish. Big, native fish. Lahontan cutthroat trout, the Sierra Nevada’s historic apex predator, begin their nearshore pilgrimage to spawn, chase [...]
Magazine Articles
Archery for Beginners: Tips To Help You Get Started
Discover the art of archery! Build focus, patience, and skill while enjoying a rewarding activity. Start your archery adventure and celebrate your progress.
Affiliate & Sponsored Gear
(Family Features) Summer is the season of sun-kissed memories - backyard barbecues, sandy beaches, bike rides and late-night stargazing. However, the warmer months bring unique safety challenges that can catch active families off guard if they're not prepared. From sunburns to scraped knees and dehydration to bug bites, summer's surprises don't have to slow you [...]
Destination reviews
Discover Alpine County California
Two people per square mile! in a time of solitude and social distancing is there a better visitor slogan than what Alpine ca, can claim with its expansive open land and very few visitors? Refereed to as the California Alps, Alpine County for those who know is a spectacular recreation and mountain lifestyle region highlighted [...]
Camping
Ways To Camp Without Sleeping on the Ground
Avoid ground-sleeping discomfort while camping in the Sierra. Discover unique options, like rooftop tents, hammocks, and more, for a better outdoor experience.
Magazine Articles
A Trail Reconnected: San Joaquin Bridge Restored in Kings Canyon National Park
By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine One of the most critical links for thru-hikers in the Sierra Nevada has officially been restored just in time for summer. After suffering catastrophic damage during the severe winter storms of 2022–2023, the San Joaquin Bridge — a vital crossing point for Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail [...]
Fishing and Hunting
Exploring the 5 Best Hunting Spots in the Sierra Nevada
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.
Magazine Articles
Celebrate Where You Live: California State Parks Week
By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine California State Parks Week Comes to the Sierra Nevada, June 11–15 California State Parks Week returns this June 11–15, and here in the Sierra Nevada, we’ve got every reason to celebrate. With some of the most iconic state parks in the system—Calaveras Big Trees, Donner Memorial, Emerald Bay, and [...]
Climbing
Carving New Lines: Stewardship in Action at Lover’s Leap
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 [...]
Boating
Your Guide to Water Sports in the Sierra Nevada
Explore the Sierra Nevada’s best lakes and rivers for kayaking, paddleboarding, and more with our water sports guide. Start planning your outdoor adventure!
Conservation
Motel to Meadow: A New Chapter Begins for South Lake Tahoe’s Upper Truckee Marsh
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 [...]
Destinations
Sucking the Marrow Out of Life:
My First Fishmas, a Legacy of Friendship, and the Spirit of the Sierra In Dead Poets Society, Robin Williams’s character, Mr. Keating, famously urges his students to "suck the marrow out of life." It’s a quote borrowed from Thoreau, and in the film, it becomes a rallying cry — a call to live deliberately, to [...]
Destinations
The Sparkliest Lakes in America? California Shines in New National Study
Big Bear, Tahoe, and Clear Lake rank among the sunniest lake getaways in the country — but there’s more to lake sparkle than just sunlight.By Charlie Pankey, Senior Writer – Sierra Rec Magazine If you’ve ever stood on the shore of Lake Tahoe and watched the sunlight dance across the water like a million tiny [...]
Camping
How To Turn Your Daily Driver Into a Camping Haven
Did you know your daily driver can easily become a camping haven with a few simple adjustments? Explore the great outdoors with these insights.
Bishop
Day Hiking Lake Sabrina to George Lake
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 [...]
Magazine Articles
Top Outdoor Activities in the Sierra for Every Adventurer
Find thrilling hikes, peaceful kayaking, and unforgettable camping in the Sierra. Uncover the top outdoor activities for every adventurer in the region.
Boating
Boat Maintenance Tasks You Can Learn To Do Yourself
Learning to care for your boat lets you spend more time enjoying yourself out on the water. Check out these boat maintenance tasks you can learn to do yourself.
