Sierra Rec Now Podcasts

Conversations, stories and destinations from across the Sierra Nevada.

This weeks feature:

With a new Episode published each Tuesday on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and YouTube, discover more Sierra weekly on your favorite channels. Each week Charlie meets hosts people from around the Sierra to discuss the insights and insider tips from destinations, trips, events and passions of the Sierra.

Past Episodes

Podcast: Yosemite Backpacking Permits, New Outdoor Gear & Lessons from OMA

March 6, 2026

If you’re starting to think about backpacking trips in Yosemite this year, you’re not alone. Spring is the season when hikers across California begin opening Recreation.gov, checking wilderness permit dates, and planning the routes they hope to explore in the Sierra Nevada. On this week’s episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, I sat down

Sierra Rec Now Podcast: How Connected Communities Is Shaping the Future of the Lost Sierra

February 18, 2026

The Lost Sierra has long been one of California’s most quietly spectacular regions — vast forests, winding rivers, and small mountain towns that feel a world away from the crowds of Tahoe and Yosemite. In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, I sat down with Greg Williams, the visionary behind the Connected Communities initiative, to

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: Audrey Payne’s Story from Carson City to Canada | Sierra Rec Now Podcast

November 12, 2025

What’s it really like to hike from Mexico to Canada—alone, for six months?In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, host Charlie Pankey welcomes back Audrey Payne, the first participant in the Capital to Canada Quest, who became the only hiker to complete the entire Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in 2024. Audrey shares the full story

Sierra Rec Now Podcast: Genoa’s Candy Dance — Nevada’s Sweetest Tradition

September 16, 2025

Every fall, the quiet town of Genoa, Nevada—the oldest settlement in the state—transforms into one of the busiest places in the Sierra. Known for its historic charm, stunning Carson Valley setting, and small-town hospitality, Genoa is also home to one of Nevada’s most beloved festivals: the Candy Dance. In this week’s Sierra Rec Now Podcast,

Overlanding in Style: Travoca’s Rigel Cooler & Outdoor Living Gear | Sierra Rec Now Podcast

August 19, 2025

In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, host Charlie Pankey sits down with Stuart Rudolph, co-founder of Travoca, to explore how one brand is reshaping the overlanding and camping lifestyle. From the story behind Travoca’s beginnings to the innovative Rigel Electric Cooler, titanium drinkware, and off-grid power solutions, this conversation dives into the gear and

Tahoe Games Takes Over Lake Tahoe – Snow in September & X Games Vibes in Tahoe | Sierra Rec Now Podcast

August 12, 2025

What if we told you South Lake Tahoe will have real snow this September? And not just snow — but a snow sledding hill, rail jams, big air mountain biking, live concerts, DJs, food trucks, and activities for all ages. In this episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, host Charlie Pankey chats with Leslie

Capital to Canada Quest Begins in Carson City – New Podcast Series Kicks Off with Visit Carson City

April 29, 2025

By Charlie Pankey – Sierra Rec Magazine | April 29, 2025 What if your summer adventure started not on a mountaintop or forest trail — but at the steps of Nevada’s capital? Today on the Sierra Rec Now podcast, we kick off an exciting new three-part series exploring one of the most ambitious hiking experiences

Exploring Tahoe’s East Ridge & the Wild Pine Nuts with Full Access Tahoe | Sierra Rec Now Podcast

April 1, 2025

Welcome to Sierra Rec Now! In this episode, we kick off our new Carson Valley series with local legend Adam DeVargas, founder of Full Access Tahoe and a Polaris Adventures partner. Adam takes us behind the wheel (literally and figuratively) into the less-traveled, high-reward terrain of the Carson Range, East Ridge above Lake Tahoe, and

Exploring Madera County & Yosemite’s Southern Gateway | Kate Holden on Sierra Rec Now Podcast

February 25, 2025

In this episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, hostCharlie Pankey sits down with Kate Holden from Visit Madera and yosemitethisyear.com to dive into the wonders of Madera County—the Southern Gateway to Yosemite. With firsthand insights from her time as a Yosemite ranger, Kate reveals the magic behind scenic train rides, the allure of Bass

🎙️ Alice Ford on Adventure Travel, Sustainability & the Perfect Day in Joshua Tree | Sierra Rec Now Podcast

February 18, 2025

🌍 Adventure, Travel, and Sustainability with Alice Ford! 🎥✨ In this episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, we sit down with Alice Ford—award-winning adventure filmmaker, PBS travel host, stuntwoman, and sustainability expert! Alice shares her passion for outdoor exploration, filmmaking, and conservation, along with her perfect day in Joshua Tree National Park. 🌵☀️ 🔹

Camping With Kids: Family Adventures, National Parks & Raising Outdoor Kids with Natalie Vereen-Davis
Camping with kids doesn't require the perfect RV, expensive outdoor gear or a perfectly planned family adventure. Sometimes it starts with a borrowed tent, a […]
Her First Solo Tahoe Rim Trail Thru-Hike | Courtney Rosiak-Quinto
Courtney Rosiak-Quinto set out on her first solo thru-hike, following the 174-mile Tahoe Rim Trail around Lake Tahoe through high-elevation terrain, long water carries, unexpected […]
How a Lifetime of Adventure Became 10Adventures | Richard Campbell
Richard Campbell spent decades exploring the world by foot, bicycle, ski and boat before turning that life outside into 10Adventures, a global platform for guided […]
Learning to See the Wild with Larry Laverty | Seeing the Sierra
What if becoming better outdoors isn't about going farther—but learning to see more?Wildlife photographer and author Larry Laverty has spent a lifetime doing exactly that. […]
23 Years to Become an Overnight Success | Sawyer Founder Kurt Avery
How Sawyer Became an Outdoor Essential | Founder Kurt AverySawyer Products is one of the most trusted names in backpacking water filtration—but that's not where […]
Why the Mountains Keep Calling Her Back | Lisa Michelle on Sierra Backpacking
After foot surgery kept author and Sierra explorer Lisa Michelle away from the trail for nearly three months, returning to Sierra Nevada backpacking gave her […]
Backpacking Rae Lakes: A Sierra Journey Over Kearsarge Pass
Some places are almost impossible to explain until you’ve stood in them. Juan Veruete calls the Sierra Nevada “million-word places”—landscapes where even the best photograph […]
12 Sierra Experiences I Hope to Share With My Grandkids
It's hard to believe our grandson is already a year old.Last weekend, we took him on his very first camping trip. We weren't sure how […]
How to Plan a Better Sierra Weekend | Base Camps, Hidden Gems & Avoiding the Crowds
Planning a Sierra Nevada trip isn't about finding the most famous destination—it's about building a better weekend.In this solo episode, Charlie shares the planning framework […]
You Can Leave the Sierra… But It Never Leaves You
Why do so many of us leave the mountains… only to spend the rest of our lives finding our way back?Raised in Portola in California's […]
Search & Rescue Volunteers Need Your Help | How One Simple Donation Could Save a Life
Search & Rescue Volunteers Need Your Help | How One Simple Donation Could Save a LifeEvery year, Search & Rescue volunteers head into the mountains […]
Hidden Sierra Nevada Adventures | Owens Valley Hiking, Kearsarge Pass & Off-Roading
Discover why people keep returning to the **Sierra Nevada** and how a lifetime of exploring creates a deeper connection with the mountains. In this episode […]
Explore Siskiyou County: 89 Alpine Lakes, Mount Shasta & Northern California's Best Kept Secret
If you've only driven through Siskiyou County on Interstate 5, you've barely scratched the surface.In this episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, Charlie sits […]
Discover Shaver Lake & Huntington Lake: Trails, Hiking, Fishing, Cycling & Summer Adventures in California's Sierra
What makes Shaver Lake one of California's most underrated mountain destinations?In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie sits down with Lindsey Chargin and Michelle […]
Why We Keep Coming Back: Sierra Stories with Juan Veruete
What is it about the mountains that keeps calling us back?In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie Pankey sits down with backpacker, fly fisherman, […]
Saving Sierra History: Restoring the 160-Year-Old Jesse Ross Cabin with HistoriCorps
This week on Sierra Rec Now, Charlie Pankey travels into the heart of California's Sierra National Forest to uncover the story of the Jesse Ross […]
How Backpacking Changes the Way You Experience National Parks | Kara Maceross, Lasting Adventures
What happens when you trade crowded viewpoints for remote lakes, star-filled skies, and unforgettable nights in the wilderness?In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie […]
51 Years of Mountain Music: Inside Grass Valley's Father's Day Bluegrass Festival
For more than 50 years, one of California's most unique mountain traditions has been quietly bringing families, musicians, campers, and outdoor travelers together in the […]
Tioga Pass Is open: Experience a Different Yosemite
Tioga Pass is finally opening for the season, reopening one of the most incredible drives into Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada High Country.But […]
Ebbetts Pass Is OPEN: My Favorite Spring Stops on Highway 4
Every spring, when Ebbetts Pass opens for the season, Charlie Pankey feels the pull to go.For nearly a decade, opening weekend on Highway 4 has […]

🎙️ Welcome to Sierra Soundscapes: Your Gateway to Discovering more Sierra Adventures!

🏞️ Discover the Diversity of Sierra Soundscapes:

At Sierra Rec Now Podcast, we pride ourselves on offering a diverse range of podcasts that cater to every adventurer’s taste. As we step into 2024, our podcast series has evolved to cover an array of thrilling topics, ensuring there’s something for every Sierra enthusiast.

🥾 Hiking in the Sierra: Lace up your boots and join us on the trails through our “Hiking in the Sierra” series. From expert tips to immersive trail tales, this podcast is your companion for exploring the Sierra one step at a time.

🌲 Sierra Rec Now: Stay updated on the latest and greatest in Sierra recreation with “Sierra Rec Now.” Dive into engaging episodes, insightful guides, and expert advice, guiding you to the heart of the Sierra’s outdoor wonders.

🤔 Out of My Mind in the Sierra: Embrace spontaneity and join the ramblings of a Sierra explorer with “Out of My Mind in the Sierra.” Unfiltered, unpredictable, and always entertaining, this series captures the joy of embracing the unexpected.

🎒 Backpacking the Sierra: For those who seek adventure beyond the beaten path, “Backpacking the Sierra” is your passport to uncharted territories. Let our podcast be your guide to epic backpacking tales and expert advice.

⛺ Base Camp Sierra Exploration: Transform your vacations into unforgettable experiences with “Base Camp Sierra Exploration.” From lodging insights to small town treasures, this series unveils the perfect base camps for your Sierra getaways.

🌐 Experience the Sierra, Episode by Episode:

Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer to Sierra exploration, our podcast categories cater to all levels of interest and expertise. Each episode is a portal to a new facet of Sierra beauty, offering insights, stories, and insider knowledge that bring the region to life.

🎧 Tune In, Explore, Connect:

Sierra Soundscapes is more than just a collection of podcasts – it’s a community of kindred spirits passionate about the Sierra. Join us in celebrating the diversity of this incredible region, one episode at a time. Tune in, explore the Sierra, and connect with fellow enthusiasts who share your love for adventure and discovery.

Ready to dive into the symphony of the Sierra ? Explore our podcast categories, choose your adventure, and let the Sierra captivate your senses. Welcome to the ultimate auditory gateway to the Sierra – where every episode is a journey waiting to unfold! 🏞️🎧🌲

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Latest Podcast Episode

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Experience Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort

April 14, 2020 – Updated on December 24, 2024 99

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Explore Ansel Adams Wilderness

January 11, 2022 – Updated on December 24, 2024 99

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Explore Devils Postpile National Monument

April 4, 2023 – Updated on July 24, 2024 99

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Explore John Muir Wilderness

January 11, 2022 – Updated on August 24, 2023 99

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