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Discover the Stories of the Sierra—One Episode at a Time

The Sierra Rec Now Podcast brings the heart of the Sierra Nevada to life, sharing the unique stories, people, and adventures that shape this incredible region. Each week, we explore the culture, hidden gems, and local experts—from guides and businesses to outdoor enthusiasts—who make the Sierra an unforgettable destination. Whether you’re planning your next adventure or simply love the Sierra lifestyle, tune in to uncover new experiences and insider tips. Have a Sierra story to share? Join us on a future episode and be part of the conversation!

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

 

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Embark on an auditory journey through the breathtaking landscapes and untold stories of the Sierra with our diverse podcast collection. Sierra Rec Now Podcast is a soundscape of the Sierra, our hub for exploration and discovery, introduces you to a tapestry of audio experiences, each meticulously crafted to immerse you in the wonders of the Sierra region.

Do We Really Need All This Gear? A Conversation Worth Having

This week on the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, we step outside our normal trail talk and into something a little more uncomfortable—and maybe more important. A Different Kind of Episode We just released our 25th edition of Sierra Rec Magazine—our Spring Gear Guide. Hundreds...

Mount Rainier vs Yosemite Permits: Why I Got Denied Twice

What Sierra Backpackers Need to Know About Permits in the West After more than a decade of backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, I’ve developed a rhythm to planning trips. I know how to read snowpack. I know how to map routes. And over the years, I’ve figured out how to...

Rae Lakes Loop Backpacking Guide: Kings Canyon’s Iconic Sierra Trail

Rae Lakes Loop Backpacking Tips: Discovering One of the Sierra Nevada’s Most Iconic Trails One of California’s Most Desired Backpacking Loops For many hikers exploring the Sierra Nevada, the Rae Lakes Loop in Kings Canyon National Park sits high on the bucket list....

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

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...

Are You Really Trail Ready?

A Story About Preparedness, Perspective, and Why the Little Things Matter on the Trail There are moments in the mountains that stay with you — not because of the view, but because of what they teach you. This week’s Sierra Rec Now episode opens with one of those...

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

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,...

Car Camping in the Sierra: SUV Tents, Dispersed Camping & Vehicle Camping Trends

Car camping in the Sierra is having a moment. With lighter snowpack this year and more families looking for flexible ways to get outdoors, we’re seeing a real shift in how people approach camping across the Sierra Nevada. Campgrounds are often full. Permits can be...

Trango: Trust, Restraint, and the Meaning of a First Descent

Sierra Rec Now Podcast with Jim Morrison and Christina “Lusti” Lustenberger For most of us in the Sierra Nevada, a “big day” in the mountains might mean a long approach, a steep climb, or timing conditions just right. For ski mountaineers Jim Morrison and Christina...

Snow Has Arrived in the Sierra: Where to Snowshoe, Sled, and Play This Holiday Season

Snow has finally arrived across the Sierra Nevada—and for many holiday travelers, that first fresh storm brings both excitement and questions. What if the ski resorts are crowded?What if you don’t ski at all?Where can families go to enjoy the snow without the chaos?...

Diving Deep to Protect Lake Tahoe: Inside Clean Up the Lake’s Cold-Water Mission

By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine Lake Tahoe is often described as impossibly clear, impossibly blue, and impossibly pristine. But beneath the surface — far beyond what swimmers, paddlers, and boaters ever see — another story is unfolding. In the latest episode...

Discovering New Adventures: My First Month Living in Washington’s Outdoor Paradise

Sierra Rec Now Podcast — Episode Feature By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine A New Mountain Home — But the Same Spirit of Adventure After 18 years beneath the peaks of Lake Tahoe and the High Sierra, my family has officially begun a new chapter in Washington...

A New Mountain Home and Sierra Winter Update

A New Mountain Home and Sierra Winter Update By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine In this week’s Sierra Rec Now Podcast, I share a major personal update that will shape the next chapter of Sierra Rec while keeping the Sierra Nevada firmly at the heart of everything...

Audrey Payne’s Pacific Crest Trail Journey

Audrey Payne’s 2,650-Mile Pacific Crest Trail Journey: From Carson City to Canada on the Capital to Canada Quest This summer, long-distance hiker Audrey Payne set out to do what few ever complete—walk the entire Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada.As the first...

Carson City: The Sierra’s Most Underrated Winter Basecamp

When most travelers picture winter in the Sierra Nevada, they picture Tahoe. Deep snow. Packed parking lots. Lift lines. High elevation drama. What they rarely picture — is Carson City. And honestly, that might be one of the biggest misses Sierra travelers still make...

Fall in Carson Valley: Trails, Festivals, and the Ferris Fifty Endurance Run

By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine For more than a decade, Carson Valley has been home base for Sierra Rec Magazine — the place where our adventures begin and where we always return. It’s where the open spaces meet the Sierra front, where trails climb into the...

Finding Nevada Wild with Sydney Martinez: Discovering the Real Wild West Beyond the Strip

By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine For most people, when you say “Nevada,” one image comes to mind — flashing lights, crowded casinos, and the non-stop buzz of Las Vegas. But for those of us who live along the Sierra Front, we know a different Nevada — one filled...

Backpacking Sierra Secrets with Brian Martz: Family Legacy, Hidden Lakes, and Fishmas Traditions

By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine The Sierra Nevada isn’t just a destination—it’s a legacy. Few people embody that truth better than Brian Martz, this week’s guest on the Sierra Rec Now Podcast. Known to thousands of California students as the Water Guy, Brian’s...

Powering Adventure in the Sierra: Dragonfly Energy and the Future of Off-Grid RV Living

By Sierra Rec Magazine When you head into the Sierra Nevada for a weekend of dispersed camping near Mammoth, an overlanding trip down Highway 395, or a snow-filled RV adventure at Blue Lakes, one question always comes up: how do you keep everything powered without the...

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

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...

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...

17,710 Miles of Free Camping in the Sierra Nevada: Exploring with OnX Off-Road

Looking for open spaces, fewer crowds, and a chance to truly disconnect this Labor Day? The Sierra Nevada holds more than 17,000 miles of free, legal, dispersed camping opportunities — and thanks to new tools from OnX Off-Road, finding your next hidden campsite just...

Overlanding in Style: Travoca’s Rigel Cooler & Outdoor Living Gear

Sierra Rec Now Podcast | August 19, 2025| Episode 44 When it comes to outdoor adventures, sometimes it’s the gear that defines the experience. This week on the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, host Charlie Pankey sat down with Stuart Rudolph, co-founder of Travoca, to talk...

Rebuilding Forests and Transforming Teens: A Conversation with the Sierra Institute

By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Now PodcastListen now on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts Last week I sat down for what turned out to be one of the most inspiring interviews I’ve done in a long time—right from the heart of Taylorsville, CA, with Jonathan Kusel and...

Discovering True Nature in the Sierra with Lisa Michelle

A Journey of Hidden Gems, Remarkable Stories and Healing Landscapes in the Sierra What does it mean to find your true nature in the Sierra Nevada? For author Lisa Michelle, it meant trading the rodeo arena for hidden ridgelines, misty alpine lakes, and the quiet...

Exploring the Legendary Cliffs and Climbing Culture of Lover’s Leap

By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine Tucked along Highway 50 just west of South Lake Tahoe, Lover’s Leap rises like a storybook cliff out of the pine-covered canyon. With its towering granite face and layered climbing routes, it draws climbers from around the...

Into the Wild Heart of Alpine County: A Summer Escape Guide with Owen White

Podcast Feature: Sierra Rec Now – Episode with Owen White, Visit Alpine County If there’s one place in the Sierra Nevada that still feels like it belongs entirely to the mountains, it’s Alpine County. Tucked between towering volcanic ridges and granite peaks, Alpine...

Inside Crystal Cave and Sequoia National Park

Sierra Rec Now Podcast Interview: An Insiders view of the Opening of Crystal Cave and how it shapes your visit to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine | June 2025 After four years of closure due to wildfire damage, floods,...

How to Plan a Smarter Yosemite Trip in 2025: Insider Tips from Visit Mariposa County

By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine | Trail-Tested Stories Podcast Thinking about visiting Yosemite this summer or fall? Confused by the reservation system, unsure where to stay, or want to avoid the crowds? You're not alone—and you're in the right place. Earlier...

Discover Lake Almanor’s Hidden Trails and Rentals with High Elevation Owner Bobby Smith

Meet the Man Behind Lake Almanor’s Outdoor Adventures: Bobby Smith of High Elevation Rentals If you’ve ever dreamed of trading the crowds of Tahoe for a quieter alpine escape—where bald eagles glide overhead, glassy waters stretch for miles, and trails feel like they...

Chasing Giants on Lake Tahoe – Fishing with the Captains of Tahoe Sports Fishing

What It's Like to Fish Lake Tahoe 365 Days a Year — Captains Zach & Zach Tell All “Some of the nicest days of the year are in the middle of winter. We call it ‘complete glass.’ No boat wakes, no wind—just a mirror.”— Captain Zach Gordon, Tahoe Sports Fishing Lake...

Discover the Trails of Truckee: Behind the Scenes with the Truckee Donner Land Trust

🎙 New Episode of Sierra Rec Now Podcast If you've ever hiked a scenic trail near Truckee and paused to take in the views of meadows, lakes, or peaks, there's a good chance the Truckee Donner Land Trust (TDLT) had something to do with it. In our latest Sierra Rec Now...

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

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...

What Makes Carson Valley a Must-Visit Summer Destination?

By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine The Eastern Sierra is full of iconic destinations, but Carson Valley continues to quietly surprise travelers with its unique blend of local charm, outdoor recreation, and summer entertainment. This is why we call the Carson...

Discovering the Joy of Backpacking in Tahoe National Forest with Sierra Summit Expeditions

By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine Backpacking might sound intimidating to someone new to the outdoors, but for James O’Neill and Kelsey Bollman of Sierra Summit Expeditions, it’s all about helping people fall in love with the backcountry—without the stress. In...

Explore Emigrant Wilderness Without the Pack Weight

Featuring Seth Diemel from Aspen Meadow Pack Station on the Sierra Rec Now Podcast Looking for a summer adventure into the less-crowded corners of the Sierra Nevada? Whether you're a family introducing your kids to backpacking or a solo hiker wanting to go light and...

Off-Roading Above Tahoe and Deep in the Carson Valley

Exploring Carson Valley with Adam DeVargas of Full Access Tahoe At Sierra Rec Magazine, we’ve spent years chasing adventures across the Sierra Nevada — but sometimes, the best stories are waiting right in our own backyard. That’s why we’re kicking off a new series...

Whitewater Rafting the Sierra

Exploring the Rivers with Tributary Whitewater Tours Whitewater rafting in the Sierra Nevada isn’t just a seasonal thrill—it’s a way of experiencing the landscape through the powerful, untamed waterways that define this mountain range. In this week’s Sierra Rec Now...

The Bodie Hotel: Ghosts, Sierra History & Bridgeport’s Iconic 4th of July

In Bridgeport, California, the Bodie Hotel stands as a living testament to the rich history of the Eastern Sierra. Once a part of the famous ghost town of Bodie, this historic hotel was relocated to Bridgeport in 1921, where it has been welcoming travelers for over a...

Explore Mammoth Like Never Before: Off-Road Adventures with Rich Booher

If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring the Eastern Sierra beyond the pavement, this week’s Sierra Rec Now Podcast is one you won’t want to miss. Host Charlie Pankey sits down with Rich Booher, owner of Mammoth Off-Road Adventures, to talk about high-speed, dirt-filled...

What Lies Unseen: New Documentary Series Exposes Hidden Stories Beneath Our Lakes

New Film Series by Clean Up The Lake Reveals More Than Just Pollution—It Uncovers History, Danger, and a Fight for the Future of Our Freshwater Truckee & South Lake Tahoe Premieres This Weekend | YouTube Launch Sunday, March 9 The lakes of the Sierra Nevada hold...

🏞️ 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! 🏞️🎧🌲

Podcast Archives – Discover all our past episodes below.

Are You Really Trail Ready?

Are You Really Trail Ready?

A Story About Preparedness, Perspective, and Why the Little Things Matter on the Trail There are moments in the mountains that stay with you — not because of the view, but because of what they teach you. This week’s Sierra Rec Now episode opens with one of those...

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

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

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,...

Backpacking Sierra Secrets with Brian Martz: Family Legacy, Hidden Lakes, and Fishmas Traditions

Backpacking Sierra Secrets with Brian Martz: Family Legacy, Hidden Lakes, and Fishmas Traditions

By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine The Sierra Nevada isn’t just a destination—it’s a legacy. Few people embody that truth better than Brian Martz, this week’s guest on the Sierra Rec Now Podcast. Known to thousands of California students as the Water Guy, Brian’s...

Secrets of the Sierra: Backpacking, Volunteering and Wilderness Stories with Paul Wagner

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...

Exploring the Outdoors with Friends

Exploring the Outdoors with Friends

Discovering the Power of Community with Outdoor Pal The outdoor community is a vibrant and passionate group of individuals who share a love for adventure, nature, and exploration. In today’s world, where technology often pulls us indoors, it’s more important than ever...

Discover the Joy of Getting Kids Outdoors

Discover the Joy of Getting Kids Outdoors

Episode 15 of the Sierra Rec Podcast we welcome Dad does Adventure owner Wesley Shyrock. Sierra Rec Now Podcast - Season 3 Episode 15 - Join us today as we are excited to interview one of our favorite Instagram Channels @daddoesadventure. Wesley Shyrock is the...

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