SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures

Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine • Authentic Mountains
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Sierra Rec Now, an Authentic Mountains Production, dives into the stories and adventures that define the Sierra Nevada. Hosted by Charlie Pankey, the show brings you trail discoveries, backcountry experiences, and conversations with the people who know these mountains best. Each episode blends inspiration with practical insight for exploring the range. If you love granite peaks, big landscapes, and real Sierra culture, this is your home. Let’s get into it.

  1. 2D AGO

    51 Years of Mountain Music: Inside Grass Valley's Father's Day Bluegrass Festival

    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

    33 min

  2. MAY 14

    Tioga Pass Is open: Experience a Different Yosemite

    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 lakeshidden riversgranite domesbackpacking trailheadsspring snowmeltquiet pulloutshigh mountain meadowsSierra solitudeWhether 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 PassLee ViningMono BasinTioga LakeEllery LakeTuolumne MeadowsTenaya LakeOlmsted PointCathedral LakesGlen AulinLyell CanyonYosemite High CountryCHAPTERS 00:00 Tioga Pass Opens for the Season01:10 Why Tioga Pass Feels Different02:20 Entering Yosemite from the East Side04:00 Lee Vining, Mono Basin & the Tioga Climb06:00 Ellery Lake & Opening the Pass08:10 Tioga Lake & Yosemite’s High Country11:30 Gaylor Lakes & Granite Landscapes13:40 Mono Pass Trail & Dana Fork16:00 Why Yosemite High Country Feels Different17:45 Tuolumne Meadows & Backpacking Access21:00 Glen Aulin, Lyell Canyon & Cathedral Lakes24:00 Tenaya Lake & Returning Every Year27:00 Tioga Pass from the Valley Side29:00 Why Tioga Still Pulls Me Back

    34 min

  3. MAY 6

    Ebbetts Pass Is OPEN: My Favorite Spring Stops on Highway 4

    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 PlungeKinney LakesPacific CreekHermit ValleyMosquito LakesCape HornLake AlpineHidden waterfalls and roadside spring runoffThis episode explores: Why Ebbetts Pass feels different than other Sierra highwaysThe narrow cliffside sections that make Highway 4 unforgettableHidden spring waterfalls and seasonal runoffPacific Creek — one of Charlie’s favorite hidden Sierra stopsEarly season Sierra travel, solitude, and explorationIf 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

    29 min

  4. APR 30

    The Sierra Is Opening… Sonora Pass Is LIVE (What to Know Right Now)

    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 Begins03:30 – What’s Open vs Closed Right Now07:00 – Why Spring Driving Is So Special12:00 – Sonora Pass: Best Stops & What to Expect25:00 – Hidden Pull-Offs, Waterfalls & Views32:00 – Tioga & Ebbetts Pass: What’s Coming Next38:00 – 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:

    48 min

  5. APR 23

    From Instant Coffee to This | Upgrading Your Camp Coffee Game

    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 shortThe difference between “emergency caffeine” and a real cup of coffeeHow the EcoPour system works in the backcountryThe environmental impact of traditional coffee podsThe science behind brewing a better cup outdoorsHow to pack lighter without sacrificing your morning routine00:00 – 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 Trip04:30 – The Problem with Traditional Camp Coffee06:30 – A Real Backcountry Coffee Experience (Emigrant Wilderness Story)08:30 – Ted’s Outdoor Background & Gear Industry Experience10:30 – The Waste Problem with Coffee Pods13:00 – Building a Better Coffee System (EcoPour Design)15:30 – The Science Behind a Perfect Cup18:30 – Coffee Sourcing & Flavor Development21:00 – Using Your Own Coffee in the System23:30 – Packing, Weight & Backcountry Efficiency24:58 – 20% Discount + Where to Try It27:30 – What’s Next for Coulee Coffee29:30 – Rapid Fire Outdoor Questions31:30 – 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 storiesBackpacking insightsOutdoor gear that actually worksConversations with people shaping the outdoor experience☕ What You’ll Learn:🎒 Episode Timestamps:☕ Try It Yourself🏔️ Sierra Rec Perspective🔔 Follow Sierra Rec Now

    32 min

  6. APR 16

    Why We Push Limits: Ultra Running, Community & Outdoor Mindset with Josh Sprague

    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 communitiesHow outdoor culture creates connection and purposeBuilding a gear company from real-world trail experienceWhy discomfort might actually make life betterThe balance between passion and business in the outdoorsWhy This Episode MattersThis 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 InfoJosh SpragueFounder of Orange MudUltra endurance athlete (100+ mile races, 700+ mile gravel events) Call to ActionWhat’s the most challenging outdoor experience you’ve ever done?Drop it in the comments 👇 Chapters00:00 Intro – Who likes to get uncomfortable?02:00 From Kansas dirt roads to mountain life05:00 First ultra endurance experiences10:00 Why pushing limits resets your mindset15:00 The power of outdoor community20:00 Turning passion into a business (Orange Mud)25:00 Gear innovation through real use30:00 Sierra questions (Tahoe Rim Trail, tacos & gear)36:00 Final thoughts – Start small, go bigger

    37 min

  7. APR 9

    Why National Parks Matter More Than Ever | Yosemite, Travel Stories & The Landmark Project

    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 backYosemite experiences beyond the crowdsBackpacking lessons (and early mistakes)The role of National Forest landsThe story behind The Landmark ProjectGiving back to public lands through outdoor brands00:00 – Intro: National Parks Week & Spring Adventures00:27 – Meet Matt Moreau (The Landmark Project)01:55 – National Park T-Shirts & Brand Origins02:30 – How The Landmark Project Started04:25 – Giving Back to Public Lands05:13 – National Parks Bucket List (Yosemite, Cascades)06:33 – First Backpacking Trip Mistakes08:00 – Discovering Yosemite & Lasting Impressions09:22 – Planning Trips & Gateway Communities10:41 – Why Yosemite Keeps Pulling You Back12:28 – Tuolumne Meadows & Tenaya Lake Stories14:12 – Yosemite Backpacking Routes15:32 – Sequoia, Kings Canyon & Joshua Tree18:16 – National Forest vs National Parks20:39 – Sierra vs Cascades Perspective22:05 – Designing National Park Apparel23:15 – Smokey Bear & Outdoor Culture25:52 – How Landmark Project Gives Back33:00 – Rapid Fire Questions34:45 – Discount Code & Where to Find Landmark38:00 – 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

    37 min

  8. APR 1

    Do You Really Need New Outdoor Gear? A Different 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 useWhy we feel the need to upgradeThe rise of secondhand and reuseAnd whether the system we’ve built is actually workingAs 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 PodcastNew episodes weekly What’s one piece of gear you bought… and didn’t really need?We’d love to hear your take.

    45 min
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About

Sierra Rec Now, an Authentic Mountains Production, dives into the stories and adventures that define the Sierra Nevada. Hosted by Charlie Pankey, the show brings you trail discoveries, backcountry experiences, and conversations with the people who know these mountains best. Each episode blends inspiration with practical insight for exploring the range. If you love granite peaks, big landscapes, and real Sierra culture, this is your home. Let’s get into it.

Information

  • Creator
    Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine • Authentic Mountains
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    145
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine • Authentic Mountains
  • Show Website
    SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures

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