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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Field-Tested in the Sierra: Lowa Innovo GTX Lo Hiker Boot Review
A Reliable Trail Partner for Spring Conditions in the Sierra If you’re looking for a boot that can handle rocky terrain, melting snow, and the unpredictable conditions of a Sierra spring, the Lowa Innovo GTX Lo just might be your new go-to. After logging over 50 miles of varied terrain—from Carson Valley to Convict Lake…
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Trail Butter That’ll Crack You Up (and Fuel Your Next Hike)
By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine You know that mid-afternoon desk moment when your energy crashes and your mind starts wandering to the mountains? Yeah, that happened to me today—post-Spring magazine launch, mid-dual-drum brain fog—and I remembered I had a little something new to try sitting right here on my desk. Canyon Crack Trail Butter.…
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Exploring the 2024 Royal Robbins Spring Line: First Impressions from the Trail
Royal Robbins Declares War on Mosquito Infested Adventures One of the best parts of running Sierra Rec Magazine is getting the opportunity to test out new gear, especially when it comes from brands that truly understand adventure. This spring, I had the chance to check out the latest collection from Royal Robbins, a Yosemite-inspired clothing…
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Roll Recovery R8 Plus™: Bringing Science to Trail Recovery
The Recovery I Wish I Had in the Sierra Backcountry At 55 years old, I’m starting to accept that recovery takes longer after my bigger hiking trips. Last summer, I logged 40 miles in Yosemite’s backcountry, pushing my legs through granite passes, river crossings, and elevation gains that had my quads burning. I felt strong—until…
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Exploring the 2024 Royal Robbins Spring Line: First Impressions from the Trail
Field Testing Gear born for Sierra Adventures. Exploring the 2024 Royal Robbins Spring Line: First Impressions from the Trail One of the many transitions I have made in the past several years in my personal outdoor wardrobe is ditching the blue jeans and cotton for comfortable and durable wear that was made for being in…
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Trail Snack Spotlight: Kate’s Real Food Bars & Garage Grown Gear
When you’re out on the trail, the right snack can make all the difference. Over my years of hiking he Sierra I have gone through a variety of changes as it comes to trail snacks. From basic nut mixes, to dried fruit, to trail bars, I find one of the things that I wont put…
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Keeping it Chill: A Weekend with the GoSun Chillito Rechargeable Cooler
A Product Review From Sierra Rec Magazine Staff on the GoSun Chillito Cooler Let’s face it, packing for a camping trip can be a delicate balancing act. You want to bring enough food and drinks to last, but you also don’t want to be weighed down by a bulky cooler filled with ice. This past…
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Scarpa Moraine Mid WP: A Hiking Boot Built for Safety and Comfort in the Sierra Nevada
The Scarpa Moraine Mid WP boot is a compelling option for Sierra Nevada explorers who value safety and comfort on the trails. This recently released boot from Scarpa, a brand traditionally known for its ski mountaineering footwear, boasts a well-constructed design, impressive features, and a unique safety technology that could be lifesaving. We discovered these…
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Sun Protection on the Sierra Trails: A Review of the Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie
As the sun climbs higher in the sky and the days lengthen, it’s time to shed those heavy layers and trade them in for sun protection that keeps you comfortable. Here at Sierra Rec, I am always on the lookout for gear that performs well on the trail, and we recently got our hands on…
