sierras
Sawtoothed western peaks
Sierras is the plural of sierra, a mountain range with a jagged, saw-toothed profile—from the Spanish word for saw.
The term appears in names throughout the American West and Latin America: the High Sierras, the Sierra Madre.
In casual use, the Sierras typically means California's Sierra Nevada range.
Linked mountain ranges
- rangesContinuous extent series
- peaksHighest points attained
- ridgesNarrow elevated formations
- NevadaSilver State out west
Andes · Rockies · Cascades · highlands · slopes · foothills · summits · crests
Tough and uneven
- craggyRough with rocky projections
- rockyCovered with stones
- jaggedSharply uneven, notched
- steepRising at sharp angle
treacherous · forbidding · harsh · uneven · wild · inhospitable · exposed · remote
Low areas between hills
- meadowsGrassland for grazing
- canyonsDeep, narrow valleys
- lakesLarge inland water bodies
- waterfallsVertical river descents
streams · forests · wilderness · vistas · scenery · flora · fauna · biodiversity
Recreational trail walking
- backpackingSelf-supported wilderness travel
- campingOutdoor recreational lodging
- climbingAscending by physical effort
- trekkingLong-distance foot travel
trails · John Muir · Yosemite · Tahoe · skiing · fishing · photography · wilderness permits
cordillera
Linked mountain ranges
Nevada · Andes · Rockies · Cascades · highlands · slopes · foothills · summits · crests · escarpments
rugged
Tough and uneven
steep · treacherous · forbidding · harsh · uneven · wild · inhospitable · exposed · remote · pristine
valleys
Low areas between hills
waterfalls · streams · forests · wilderness · vistas · scenery · flora · fauna · biodiversity · ecosystem
hiking
Recreational trail walking
- backpackingSelf-supported wilderness travel
- campingOutdoor recreational lodging
- climbingAscending by physical effort
trekking · trails · John Muir · Yosemite · Tahoe · skiing · fishing · photography · wilderness permits
- IberiaAndalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Basque Country, Castile
- Sierra NevadaWestern U.S. mountain range
- Sierra LeoneWest African country, capital Freetown
- Sierra ClubEnvironmental advocacy organization
- High SierraEastern California mountain range
- GMC SierraAmerican full-size pickup
- Sierra MistCitrus-flavored carbonated beverage