Discover why Lassen Volcanic National Park may be one of California's most overlooked summer adventures.

This week on Sierra Rec Now, I sit down with Sharon Roberts from St. Bernard Lodge to talk about planning a Lassen getaway, hidden road-trip stops, family travel ideas, wildlife, geothermal wonders, and why this region deserves a place on your summer adventure list.

Most travelers know Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, but Northern California hides a different experience. Volcanoes, mountain lakes, wildflowers, lava caves, waterfalls, wildlife, and quiet mountain communities all combine to create one of the most unique National Park experiences in the West.

We also talk about:

• Lassen Highway seasonal opening
• Family-friendly things to do in Lassen
• St. Bernard Lodge and Lake Almanor as a basecamp
• Hidden roadside stops and scenic drives
• NASA research happening in Lassen
• Wolves and wildlife in Northern California
• Ideas for larger road trips connecting Lassen and Crater Lake

If you're planning a Sierra Nevada adventure, road trip, or National Park vacation this summer, this episode may give you ideas you hadn't considered.

Read more at Sierra Rec Magazine:
https://sierrarecmagazine.com

Stay at St. Bernard Lodge: https://stbernardlodge.com/

For more than 50 years, one of California's most unique mountain traditions has been quietly bringing families, musicians, campers, and outdoor travelers together in the Sierra foothills.

This week on Sierra Rec Now, Charlie sits down with Pete Ludé of the California Bluegrass Association to explore the 51st Father's Day Bluegrass Festival in Grass Valley, California.

Whether you're a longtime bluegrass fan or simply looking for your next Sierra road trip, this conversation goes beyond music and into the culture that surrounds it — pine forest camping, late-night jam sessions, Gold Rush history, family activities, and why visitors keep coming back year after year.

In this episode:

• The surprising history behind the festival's beginnings in 1976
• Why Grass Valley and Nevada County make incredible Sierra base camps
• What makes bluegrass different from other styles of music
• Family-friendly experiences and Kids on Bluegrass programs
• Camping, food vendors, workshops, and late-night jam culture
• Festival headliners and what to expect this year
• Local tips around Grass Valley, Nevada City, and the Yuba River

Father's Day Bluegrass Festival
June 18–21
Tickets & details: fathersdayfestival.com

Explore more Sierra stories, travel ideas, and podcasts:
Sierra Rec Magazine

Suggested chapter timestamps for Spotify:

00:00 Welcome to the show
02:15 The history of the festival
06:00 Why Grass Valley feels different
09:15 Music, camping, and jam culture
15:00 Headliners and festival highlights
18:30 Family activities and Kids on Bluegrass
21:20 Why people keep coming back
24:10 Tickets and planning your visit
29:30 Sierra Rec closing questions

Tioga Pass is finally opening for the season, reopening one of the most incredible drives into Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada High Country.

But for Sierra Rec Magazine publisher Charlie Pankey, Tioga Pass has always been more than just a road into Yosemite.

It’s the gateway to a completely different version of Yosemite.

In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie shares personal stories and favorite stops exploring Yosemite’s High Country from the east side through Tioga Pass — from Lee Vining and Mono Basin to Tuolumne Meadows, Tenaya Lake, Olmsted Point, Cathedral Lakes, Glen Aulin, and beyond.

This is not the Yosemite Valley most visitors know.

This is the Yosemite of:

• alpine lakes
• hidden rivers
• granite domes
• backpacking trailheads
• spring snowmelt
• quiet pullouts
• high mountain meadows
• Sierra solitude

Whether you’re planning your first Tioga Pass road trip or have spent years exploring Yosemite’s eastern high country, this episode dives into the landscapes, memories, and experiences that make Tioga one of the most powerful gateways in the Sierra Nevada.

Featured Locations:

• Tioga Pass
• Lee Vining
• Mono Basin
• Tioga Lake
• Ellery Lake
• Tuolumne Meadows
• Tenaya Lake
• Olmsted Point
• Cathedral Lakes
• Glen Aulin
• Lyell Canyon
• Yosemite High Country

CHAPTERS

00:00 Tioga Pass Opens for the Season
01:10 Why Tioga Pass Feels Different
02:20 Entering Yosemite from the East Side
04:00 Lee Vining, Mono Basin & the Tioga Climb
06:00 Ellery Lake & Opening the Pass
08:10 Tioga Lake & Yosemite’s High Country
11:30 Gaylor Lakes & Granite Landscapes
13:40 Mono Pass Trail & Dana Fork
16:00 Why Yosemite High Country Feels Different
17:45 Tuolumne Meadows & Backpacking Access
21:00 Glen Aulin, Lyell Canyon & Cathedral Lakes
24:00 Tenaya Lake & Returning Every Year
27:00 Tioga Pass from the Valley Side
29:00 Why Tioga Still Pulls Me Back

Every spring, when Ebbetts Pass opens for the season, Charlie Pankey feels the pull to go.

For nearly a decade, opening weekend on Highway 4 has become a personal Sierra tradition—driving through lingering snowfields, roaring seasonal waterfalls, narrow cliffside roads, alpine meadows, and hidden pullouts that most travelers drive right past.

In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie takes listeners on a story-driven spring journey across Ebbetts Pass from Markleeville toward Lake Alpine, sharing favorite seasonal stops and the moments that make this one of the wildest and most beautiful scenic drives in the Sierra Nevada.

Featured locations include:

• Silver Creek Plunge
• Kinney Lakes
• Pacific Creek
• Hermit Valley
• Mosquito Lakes
• Cape Horn
• Lake Alpine
• Hidden waterfalls and roadside spring runoff

This episode explores:

• Why Ebbetts Pass feels different than other Sierra highways
• The narrow cliffside sections that make Highway 4 unforgettable
• Hidden spring waterfalls and seasonal runoff
• Pacific Creek — one of Charlie’s favorite hidden Sierra stops
• Early season Sierra travel, solitude, and exploration

If you love scenic drives, Sierra Nevada road trips, spring waterfalls, mountain passes, backpacking access points, and discovering places beyond the crowds, this episode is for you.

👉 Sonora Pass Travel Guide
👉 Planning Your Sierra Nevada Trip
👉 Scenic Sierra Nevada Drives & Adventures

Hosted by Sierra Rec Magazine publisher Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Now explores the mountains, trails, stories, gear, and destinations that make the Sierra Nevada one of the most incredible outdoor regions in the world.

🏔️ Explore More from Sierra Rec Magazine🎙️ Sierra Rec Now Podcast

Spring in the Sierra is never predictable—and that’s exactly what makes it special.

In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie Pankey breaks down what’s happening right now across the Sierra Nevada as the scenic passes begin to open… and close again.

Sonora Pass is officially open, while Tioga Pass and Ebbetts Pass are still waiting on conditions to improve after recent snow.

But this episode goes beyond just updates.

Charlie shares 18 years of personal experience exploring these mountain passes—what to expect in early season, where to stop along Sonora Pass, hidden viewpoints most people miss, and how to actually time your trip when the Sierra keeps changing day by day.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• When is the best time to drive Sierra passes?
• What is Sonora Pass like in spring?
• How do you plan a trip when conditions are unpredictable?

This episode is your guide.

00:00 – The Sierra Spring Window Begins
03:30 – What’s Open vs Closed Right Now
07:00 – Why Spring Driving Is So Special
12:00 – Sonora Pass: Best Stops & What to Expect
25:00 – Hidden Pull-Offs, Waterfalls & Views
32:00 – Tioga & Ebbetts Pass: What’s Coming Next
38:00 – How to Plan a Sierra Trip the Right Way

👉 https://sierrarecmagazine.com/planning-a-sierra-nevada-adventure/

🧭 In This Episode:🎯 Start Planning Your Sierra Trip:

If you’ve ever woken up in the backcountry—whether it’s in Yosemite, the Emigrant Wilderness, or somewhere deep in the Sierra—you know that moment…

The air is still.
The light is just starting to break over the granite.
And all you want is a good cup of coffee.

But let’s be honest… most camp coffee doesn’t live up to that moment.

In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie sits down with Ted Ayliffe, CEO of Coulee Coffee, to talk about the evolution of coffee in the outdoors—and how one simple idea turned into a system that’s changing the way backpackers think about their morning routine.

This is more than a gear conversation.
It’s about the experience, the ritual, and why that first cup on the trail might matter more than anything else.

• Why most backpacking coffee falls short
• The difference between “emergency caffeine” and a real cup of coffee
• How the EcoPour system works in the backcountry
• The environmental impact of traditional coffee pods
• The science behind brewing a better cup outdoors
• How to pack lighter without sacrificing your morning routine

00:00 – The Question Every Backpacker Knows (Coffee in the Wild)
01:00 – Meet Ted Ayliffe (Coulee Coffee Story)
02:30 – Why Coffee Is Part of Every Great Trip
04:30 – The Problem with Traditional Camp Coffee
06:30 – A Real Backcountry Coffee Experience (Emigrant Wilderness Story)
08:30 – Ted’s Outdoor Background & Gear Industry Experience
10:30 – The Waste Problem with Coffee Pods
13:00 – Building a Better Coffee System (EcoPour Design)
15:30 – The Science Behind a Perfect Cup
18:30 – Coffee Sourcing & Flavor Development
21:00 – Using Your Own Coffee in the System
23:30 – Packing, Weight & Backcountry Efficiency
24:58 – 20% Discount + Where to Try It
27:30 – What’s Next for Coulee Coffee
29:30 – Rapid Fire Outdoor Questions
31:30 – Final Thoughts

If you want to try Coulee Coffee you can get 20% off your first order using code:

👉 SIERRAREC20

For me, this isn’t just about coffee.

It’s about that quiet moment in the mountains—
when everything slows down, and you’re sitting there with a cup in your hand, taking it all in.

That’s what we’re chasing out here.

New episodes every week featuring:

• Sierra travel stories
• Backpacking insights
• Outdoor gear that actually works
• Conversations with people shaping the outdoor experience

☕ What You’ll Learn:🎒 Episode Timestamps:☕ Try It Yourself🏔️ Sierra Rec Perspective🔔 Follow Sierra Rec Now

What makes someone run 100 miles—and then sign up for another one?

In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie Pankey sits down with Josh Sprague, founder of Orange Mud and ultra endurance athlete, to explore the deeper “why” behind pushing physical and mental limits.

From Kansas dirt roads to 700-mile gravel races, Josh shares how endurance sports shape mindset, build community, and even influence how we design outdoor gear.

This is a conversation about more than miles—it’s about purpose, discomfort, and finding connection in the outdoors.

What We Cover

• The psychology of ultra endurance (why we push further)
• Trail running and mountain biking communities
• How outdoor culture creates connection and purpose
• Building a gear company from real-world trail experience
• Why discomfort might actually make life better
• The balance between passion and business in the outdoors

Why This Episode Matters
This conversation isn’t just about ultra athletes—it’s about all of us.

Whether your “ultra” is a 2-mile hike or a 50-mile trail run, there’s something in the outdoors that resets who we are.

Guest Info
Josh Sprague
Founder of Orange Mud
Ultra endurance athlete (100+ mile races, 700+ mile gravel events)

Call to Action
What’s the most challenging outdoor experience you’ve ever done?
Drop it in the comments 👇

Chapters
00:00 Intro – Who likes to get uncomfortable?
02:00 From Kansas dirt roads to mountain life
05:00 First ultra endurance experiences
10:00 Why pushing limits resets your mindset
15:00 The power of outdoor community
20:00 Turning passion into a business (Orange Mud)
25:00 Gear innovation through real use
30:00 Sierra questions (Tahoe Rim Trail, tacos & gear)
36:00 Final thoughts – Start small, go bigger

In this episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, Charlie Pankey sits down with Matt Moreau, founder and CEO of The Landmark Project—an outdoor lifestyle brand built around art, storytelling, and a deep connection to America’s national parks and forests.

With National Parks Week and Earth Day around the corner, this conversation explores why public lands matter more than ever—and why so many of us keep coming back to places like Yosemite, the Sierra Nevada, and beyond.

From first backpacking mistakes to unforgettable moments in the high country, this episode blends real trail experience with a bigger conversation about conservation, travel, and building a life around the outdoors.

• Why national parks continue to draw us back
• Yosemite experiences beyond the crowds
• Backpacking lessons (and early mistakes)
• The role of National Forest lands
• The story behind The Landmark Project
• Giving back to public lands through outdoor brands

00:00 – Intro: National Parks Week & Spring Adventures
00:27 – Meet Matt Moreau (The Landmark Project)
01:55 – National Park T-Shirts & Brand Origins
02:30 – How The Landmark Project Started
04:25 – Giving Back to Public Lands
05:13 – National Parks Bucket List (Yosemite, Cascades)
06:33 – First Backpacking Trip Mistakes
08:00 – Discovering Yosemite & Lasting Impressions
09:22 – Planning Trips & Gateway Communities
10:41 – Why Yosemite Keeps Pulling You Back
12:28 – Tuolumne Meadows & Tenaya Lake Stories
14:12 – Yosemite Backpacking Routes
15:32 – Sequoia, Kings Canyon & Joshua Tree
18:16 – National Forest vs National Parks
20:39 – Sierra vs Cascades Perspective
22:05 – Designing National Park Apparel
23:15 – Smokey Bear & Outdoor Culture
25:52 – How Landmark Project Gives Back
33:00 – Rapid Fire Questions
34:45 – Discount Code & Where to Find Landmark
38:00 – Final Thoughts

Explore their gear and support public lands:
https://thelandmarkproject.com

Use code SIERRAREC15 for 15% off your order

What’s one place you keep going back to—no matter how many times you’ve been?

🎙️ In This Episode:⏱️ Timestamps🌲 Featured Brand: The Landmark Project💬 Join the Conversation

We just released our 25th edition of Sierra Rec Magazine—our Spring Gear Guide packed with new products, innovations, and gear we genuinely love.

But this episode asks a different question:

Do we actually need all of it?

In this conversation with Ron Donchez of Thacker NYC, we step outside our normal Sierra-focused storytelling to explore something bigger—how the outdoor industry operates, how we consume gear, and what role we all play in that cycle.

This isn’t about calling anyone out. It’s about taking a step back and thinking about:

• How much gear we really use
• Why we feel the need to upgrade
• The rise of secondhand and reuse
• And whether the system we’ve built is actually working

As someone who reviews gear and publishes guides, this one hit close to home.

Maybe it will for you too.

If you’re heading into a new season of hiking, backpacking, or just getting outside… this is a conversation worth having.

🎙️ Sierra Rec Now Podcast
New episodes weekly

What’s one piece of gear you bought… and didn’t really need?
We’d love to hear your take.

This year, I got denied at Mount Rainier.

Then I got denied again at North Cascades.

But somehow… I still landed a Yosemite permit.

That didn’t make sense.

In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, I break down what’s really happening with wilderness permits across the West—and why it’s not about how popular a park is, but how each park manages access.

If you’ve ever struggled to get a backpacking permit, or felt like the system is getting harder to navigate, this episode will give you a clearer way to think about it—and a better way to plan your trips moving forward.

• Why Mount Rainier only issues around 4,000 backpacking permits each year

• Why North Cascades had over 13,000 applicants for roughly 2,000 lottery spots

• Why Yosemite still offers more opportunity despite high demand

• The real difference between fixed camp systems and trailhead quota systems

• How flexibility can completely change your chances

After 10+ years of backpacking in the Sierra, I’m realizing something:

It’s not the miles that are getting harder…
It’s getting permission to take them.

🎙️ Sierra Rec Now Podcast
🌄 SierraRecMagazine.com

In this episode:

Have you been denied a permit this year? Send me a message or comment—I’d love to hear your experience.