The Sierra Nevada region of California is its alpine region, covering a large portion of the state's inland territory. Rugged mountains and awe-inspiring canyons in the area's national parks and forests are truly part of the United States' national wilderness treasures.
It's a region of grandiose sizes; Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous U.S., is here, as well as the giant sequoias, the largest living things on earth. The human population, however, is relatively small. Most of the towns and cities in the Sierra Nevada region are ski resort towns, or gateways to the area's parks.
Regions
Eastern Sierra
Gold Country -
Lake Tahoe
Yosemite
Counties
Alpine County
Calaveras County
El Dorado County
Fresno County
Inyo County
Kern County
Madera County
Mariposa County
Mono County
Nevada County
Placer County
Tuolumne County
Cities
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Bishop
Bridgeport
El Portal
Grass Valley
Lee Vining
Mammoth Lakes
Oakhurst
South Lake Tahoe
Tahoe City
Other destinations
Yosemite National Park - a shrine to human foresight, strength of granite, power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra.
Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park - Immense mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns ... and the world's largest trees!
Devils Postpile National Monument - protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot high Rainbow Falls, and pristine mountain scenery
Manzanar National Historic Site - one of ten camps where Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese aliens were interned during World War II
Sequoia National Forest
Inyo National Forest
Sierra National Forest
Stanislaus National Forest
El Dorado National Forest
Tahoe National Forest
Desolation Wilderness
Toiyabe National Forest
Hoover Wilderness
Plumas National Forest
Mono Lake
Mount Whitney
Rock Creek Lake
Understand
Get in
Get around
See
Do
Eat
Drink
Stay safe
What Californians are referring to is the time of year when it snows in the Sierra. Snow can begin as early as October, and last as late as May. Roads may be closed as late as July. When snow falls in mid October, it usually kills a few unprepared backpackers in the Sierra who hadn't carefully checked the weather reports. If you don't have chains during an early October or late May snowstorm, continuing to drive may kill you too.}}
The Sierras are a high mountain environment containing some of the snowiest places in the US. During winter you should always carry tire chains in your car and know how to use them.
When hiking or backpacking where you will be far from help, check the weather first. The first snows of Winter may come earlier than you expect.
In Summer during the North American Monsoon, thunderstorms often build up near the crest of the Sierra Nevada, particularly during late afternoon. It is unwise to be in a high, treeless place during a thunderstorm. If hiking far in Summer, it's a good idea to carry a light rain jacket just in case a thunderstorm pops up out of nowhere.
Get out
San Francisco is just a few hours west.
The Gold Country where the California Gold Rush began is in the Western foothills of the Sierra. There are plenty of quaint historic towns to visit there when traveling to or from points west.
If you're headed to Los Angeles or other places to the south, taking US 395 down the Eastern Sierra is a great scenic alternative to the monotony of traveling through California's Central Valley.