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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Cathedral Lakes Backpacking Guide: Upper vs Lower Lake Experience
Cathedral Lakes Trail Guide: Yosemite’s High Sierra Icon Cathedral Lakes is one of those hikes that almost everyone does in Yosemite High country—and almost everyone experiences differently. This is the hike that I recommend to friends that want to experience Yosemite, but might not want a full back country commitment. This was my first hike…
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Winter Wanderings: Hiking the Sierra Canyon Trail in Genoa
As snowstorms swirled across the Sierra Nevada and the Lake Tahoe Basin last Saturday, I felt the familiar pull to lace up my boots and hit the trail. Staying close to home in the Carson Valley, my longtime hiking buddy, Tom, and I decided to explore the Sierra Canyon section of the Genoa Trail System.…
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Celebrating the New Sawtooth Loop Trail in Truckee
Truckee Ca. – Last night, the Truckee Trails Association, alongside the Tahoe National Forest, held a vibrant ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the Sawtooth Loop Trail in the Sawtooth Day Use Recreational Area. This trail is a winding single-track loop through a mix of high desert and Jeffrey Pine Forest. It gains…
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Still Hiking in Sierra City
A day trip to Sierra City and the Wild Plum Loop trail experience December in the Sierra. As soon as you say it, you assume this article would be about incredible snow and winter recreation. However, over the past 10 years, there have been plenty of years where December has had plenty of dirt hiking…
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New Carson Valley Appaloosa Trail adds 1.1 miles of Tree-lined Mountain Fun
The Carson Valley is my home base, but it is surprising how few times I have hiked one of its oldest trail segments in town, the Fay Luther trail network. That may speak more about the variety of excellent trails we have to choose from , but it could be that I am always so…
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Experience the Alta Trail in Sequoia National Park
A Day Hike Experience in the Giant forest of Sequoia including the Largest Trees in the Park Sequoia National Park: Our first visit to Sequoia National Park was anything but ordinary. In the early summer of 2023, the Park only had one entry point from the Kings Canyon gates north of the Park, and the weather…
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Sixty Eight Miles and Growing Trail Network in the Carson Valley
The Carson Valley Trail Association Announced the Completion of the New James Lee Park loop Minden Nevada – May 3, 2023 – This past week the Carson Valley Trail association had their annual members showcase meeting where they highlight the work completed in the past year, discuss the issues they currently face and provide a…
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The Views from Koip Pass Ansel Adams Wilderness
Sierra Rec Magazine – August 29, 2022 – A couple of weeks ago, my friends and I embarked on a hiking adventure in the breathtaking Mono Pass regions. Little did we know that this journey would lead us to encounter the talented regional photographer, Michael Weindel, returning from his exploration of the magnificent Koip Pass.…
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A Weekend of Discovery in The Blue Lakes Basin
I have hiked around the Blues Lakes region in Alpine County northwest of Raymond peak for a good part of 10 years. I love to spend the day or evening at Twin or Tamarack lake, which are seldom visited, versus the camping and use areas of Blue lakes. But until this last weekend, I had…
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…
