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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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…
