Real Stories from the Sierra
Welcome to Trail Tested—your go-to destination for real-world hiking and backpacking experiences across the Sierra Nevada. This page brings together all our firsthand adventure stories, written after boots hit the dirt and gear is put to the test. From family day hikes and waterfall treks to multi-day backcountry loops, each post offers practical tips, scenic highlights, and honest gear insights from the trail. Whether you’re planning your next trip or just love reliving the adventure, this is where the Sierra Rec community shares what it truly feels like out there.
Trail Tested Stories
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Marmot AirFleece Review: The Layer I Didn’t Know I Needed in the PNW
For years in the Sierra Nevada, a fleece this warm was a specialized piece of gear for me. I might have carried one while snowshoeing, camping in colder conditions or heading into the mountains when the forecast clearly called for another layer. It was not something I automatically placed in my pack for every spring…
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Marmot Trailway Pants Review: From PNW Mud to the Yosemite Backcountry
My first real outing in the Marmot Trailway hiking pants began on a rainy spring morning near Bellingham, Washington. We headed to Blanchard State Forest for a seven-mile loop connecting Lily and Lizard lakes. It is a classic Pacific Northwest hike: a casual forest climb, two hidden lakes and trails that remain in good condition…
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Marmot Wraptor 30 Review: Zipper-Free Comfort Put to the Test
A Trail Tested Gear Review by Sierra Rec Staff The Marmot Wraptor 30 promises to eliminate one of the most irritating parts of sleeping in a traditional mummy bag: the zipper. Instead of sealing you inside with a long side zipper, the Wraptor uses overlapping flaps, snaps and a low-profile magnetic closure to create a…
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Matador 45L Global Travel Pack Review: Crisscrossing the West
By Charlie Pankey The Best Travel Backpack I’ve Ever Owned I’m 56 years old, and for most of my life my travel strategy could best be described as… a duffel bag. Throw everything inside, zip it shut, and hope I remembered socks. If you asked my wife to describe my packing style, she’d probably refer…
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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 the first of many miles of planned trails at…
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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, and deeper into the wild. This past weekend, we kicked off…
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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 one of the most scenic and accessible trails in…
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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, snowmelt waterfalls, and glacier-fed beauty just as the Sierra awakens in late spring.…
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Chasing Waterfalls on Deer Creek: A Trail Experience Through Canyon Gorges, Fish Ladders, and Spring Runoff Magic
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine There’s something ancient about the sound of a fast-moving creek echoing through a canyon. It’s a sound that draws you in—pulls you toward mystery, motion, and a little bit of magic. On a warm spring morning just west of Chester, California, I found myself exploring that sound along…
Field Tested Gear
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Testing Paka Alpaca Trail Socks: Breathable Comfort for Hot Sierra Days
If you’ve hiked the Sierra on a warm summer day, you know how quickly your feet can overheat, leading to discomfort and fatigue. One sock we’ve recently put to the test on Sierra trails is the Paka Trail 3/4 Crew Sock, made with alpaca fiber for breathable, lightweight comfort. Founded in Peru, Paka’s mission goes…
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Trail-Tested Review: Zamberlan Devero Mid GTX Hiking Boots
Field-Tested by Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine Overview Handcrafted Italian quality meets Sierra trail grit in the Zamberlan Devero Mid GTX, a Spring 2025 release that promises performance, sustainability, and long-haul comfort in a lightweight mid-height hiker. We tested these boots over four rugged days and nearly 30 miles of granite slab, dusty singletrack,…
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Trail Comfort and Merino Performance: Testing Minus33 Socks in the Sierra
When it comes to hiking in the Sierra, comfortable, moisture-wicking socks can make or break your day. One brand we’ve used regularly on day hikes and Sierra wanderings is Minus33, a New Hampshire-based company with deep roots in wool craftsmanship and mountain-tested gear. While we use a variety of socks depending on the trail, weather,…
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Trail-Tested Gear Review: EXPED Sleep System
Field Notes by Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec MagazineTested during our Highland Lakes boondocking trip, June 2025 A Complete Sleep System for the Sierra This summer, we’re field-testing a full comfort-oriented sleep system from EXPED—a brand known for its rugged build quality and no-compromise camping gear. On our first outing to Highland Lakes, I put…
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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, and deeper into the wild. This past weekend, we kicked off…
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Field Tested: LifeStraw Peak Series Solo Water Filter
An ultralight, trail-tested solution for simple, safe hydration in the Sierra. As someone who’s tested just about every popular backpacking water filter out there—from pump systems to the Sawyer Squeeze and Platypus QuickDraw—I can honestly say the LifeStraw Peak Series Solo impressed me for what it is: a minimalist’s dream for weight savings and ease…
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Field Tested: CLIQ Portable Chair Review
Small Footprint, Big Comfort: A Go-To Chair for Sierra Lake Days, Trail Breaks & Backyard Lounging In the Sierra, comfort and portability don’t always mix. That’s why the CLIQ Classic Chair stood out immediately in my car camping and lake day gear testing this spring. Designed to fold up to the size of a water…
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Field Tested: IBEX Goat Tee
Your New Favorite Base Layer for Sierra Adventures When it comes to Merino wool base layers, I’ve had my fair share of frustrations—especially as someone with a larger frame. Too tight in the shoulders, too short in the torso, or scratchy after a long day on the trail. But the IBEX Goat Tee? It may…
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A Smarter Way to Explore the Sierra AllTrails Peak Membership
AllTrails Peak Membership Launches June 11 Sierra Rec Magazine is excited to announce the arrival of AllTrails Peak, a new premium membership tier launching June 11 from the world’s most trusted outdoor trail platform. For Sierra Nevada adventurers, this means a new level of control and insight—both while planning your trip and once you’re on…
