Pranav Mohanlal, the son of superstar Mohanlal and an actor in his own right, has shared pictures from yet another of his backpacking trips. These photos include trekking, tree climbing, and mountain scenes from the Sierra Nevada. Pranav has captioned the pictures: “Sierra Nevada ES in Spain.” The term Sierra Nevada refers to a snow-capped mountain range in Granada, Spain's Andalusian province. The highest peak in continental Spain, Mulhacén, stands at an altitude of 3,479 meters above sea level.
Sierra Nevada is also home to one of Europe's southernmost ski resorts near the Mediterranean Sea. Known for its high temperatures and abundant sunshine, the area's high peaks attract tourists, particularly for skiing. In the valley lies Granada, and further south are the cities of Almería and Motril.
Sierra Nevada in the United States too
The term 'Sierra Nevada' simply means 'snowy mountains' in Spanish. There are mountain ranges by the name Sierra Nevada in the US, too, which were likely named by Spanish explorers. However, both ranges are distinct and have their own unique features. While the range in the US is bigger than the Spanish counterpart, the Spanish counterpart has mountain valleys, rivers, natural parks, and more.
The American Sierra Nevada is between the Central Valley and the Great Basin in the western United States. Most of this mountain range lies in California, with only a small portion of the Carson Range extending into Nevada.
Carved from granite by glaciers over a hundred million years ago, the Sierra Nevada is home to Yosemite Valley, three national parks, 20 forested areas, and two national monuments. These areas include Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon National Parks, and the Devil's Postpile National Monument. Lake Tahoe, the largest Alpine lake in North America, is located on the outskirts of the Sierra Nevada. Approximately 35 km long and 20 km wide, Lake Tahoe is situated in a valley between snow-capped peaks and has an estimated depth of over 490 metres. Due to its immense depth, the lake’s waters never freeze, even in winter.
By the 20th century, Lake Tahoe had become a popular recreational destination, attracting tourists year-round. It is known as a resort for winter and summer activities and a major venue for water sports and skiing. Lake Tahoe also hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics. Mount Whitney, located in California, is the highest peak in the Sierra Nevada, at 4,421 metres. After Denali, it is the tallest mountain in the United States.
