Trail Tested Stories of the Sierra

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

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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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

MSR Launches ParadigmTM Bindings on Explore Series snowshoes for Fall 2024

New bindings offer efficient, comfortable, and durable performance paired with an easy-to-use design and repairability. Seattle, Wash. (February 20, 2024) – Today, Mountain Safety Research (MSR) announces the launch of new ParadigmTM bindings on their Explore Series snowshoes, as well as new colorways, available Fall of 2024. The Explore Series snowshoes are designed for intermediate to advanced-level snowshoers exploring…
Bear Vault, Breaking Down Wilderness Adventure Walls for Christmas

Greetings, Sierra Rec Magazine readers! As the snow blankets the Sierra and the holiday spirit fills the air, we’re thrilled to bring you an exclusive opportunity to gear up for your winter adventures while making a positive impact. BearVault, our trusted affiliate partner, is hosting an extraordinary holiday sale, and we’re excited to share the…
Shed a Pound On Your Next Pack Trip

OSPREY BACKPACKS STRIPPING ANOTHER POUND OFF LIGHTWEIGHT PACKS Sierra REc Magazine – Gear – 2023- That is always the goal, correct? How little weight can I carry into the wilderness and still stay comfortable sleeping in the wilderness and traveling safely? Well, as you prep for the 2023 backpacking season, Osprey has made it easier…
Right-On-Trek Coconut Chicken Curry A Delightful Bite for Backpacking

The Next Generation Prepared Backpacking Food Company RightOnTrek Provides Maximum Taste in Curry Dish Sierra Rec Magazine – Gear Review – I am a pretty simple backpacker. I like ease, convenience and not a lot of extra fluff. So when I was introduced to Rightontrek backpacking meals all I really wanted to know, is does…
Arcade Belt Co. Announces Shift to REPREVE® Recycled Polyester

Changing For Good: Brand’s Performance Stretch Belts Keeps Focus on Comfort, Durability, and Functionality for Freedom of Motion – While Reducing Environmental Footprint OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. – July 19, 2022 – Arcade (https://arcadebelts.com), founded on the belief that belts should function better for freedom of motion, be designed to last longer, and be more comfortable,…
A Winter Gear Bag Update: C2 Extreme Tights A New Required Element For Winter Adventures

Sierra Rec Magazine Publisher Discovers “New Favorite” In Adventure Gear Layer Product Review: C2 Extreme Tights Don’t put away your winter gear just yet, in the Sierra. As the forecast for this week is calling for up to another 4 feet of snow in early April. But maybe better advice would be to check out this…
Screamin Energy ~ Just The Pick Me Up; I Needed On My Sierra Snowshoe Adventure

After Miles of Snowshoeing, A Quick Screamin Energy” Max Hit” Was In Order March 28, 2017 – Typically speaking I am an over packer. I always head to the trail with too many supplies for the day and more than enough layers. Which makes this product review unique for me, as today’s snowshoeing adventure was doomed…
Product Review: FrostPak Coolpak From Seattle Sports Delivers in the Heat

Exclusive Sierra REC Magazine Product Review – Sept 28, 2016 – Ok who loves coming back from a long day hike to a cold beer or bottle of water? I know I do, so when given the opportunity to review the Seattle Sports Cool Pak, one of the products from its FrostPak™ Soft Cooler Line, I…
Gear Review Relief Bed – Changing lives around the world one great nights sleep at a time!

Revolutionary new sleep pad not only great for backcountry camping but is set to change lives around the world May 2016, Gear Review by Sierra REC Staff – Ok remember back to that first camping trip when mom and dad rolled out the egg crate mattress pad in the tent and you thought your world of camping…