Peak Northwest

After months of sticking close to home, hikers in the Pacific Northwest are finally getting back out on the trail. But for those of us who have become a little out shape during the pandemic, as well as those who may be getting into hiking shape for the first time, those first couple hikes can be a struggle. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we’ve offered up 10 tips for feeling...

It can be hard to escape crowds in a normal year, let alone a time when more people than ever are sticking close to home and in search of an escape into nature. One way to beat the crowds is to skip the popular areas and head to some lesser-known hiking trails and other natural areas. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we offer up a dozen lesser-known spots at three of Oregon’s...

It’s high time to dial in your camp cooking setup. We aren’t exactly experts in this department. So we enlisted the help of Samantha Bakall, a freelance food, diversity and travel writer who’s long honed the art of whipping up a delicious camp meal. Subscribe to Six Feed, a newsletter that Samantha co-authors about local dining during the pandemic, at sixfeed.substack.com. You can support this pod...

Summer is only days away, and many outdoor spaces have reopened amid the coronavirus crisis. But the question remains: Where should I go? This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we offer some recommendations for people looking to get their nature fix. Take a look at Oregon's wilderness areas. Check our regularly updated list of what outdoor spaces have reopened and what areas are still closed. Yo...

Many outdoor areas throughout the region have reopened after being closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. But just because your favorite outdoor area is open doesn’t mean you should expect business as usual when you arrive — or that you should travel there at all. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we discuss how to plan safe, responsible day trips during the ongoing COVID-...

As the coronavirus crisis continues, closures and restrictions remain in place for many outdoor areas across the region. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we continue to dig into the complicated issues around recreating outside during the pandemic. Check our regularly updated list of what outdoor spaces have reopened and what areas are still closed. Read Jamie’s story about whe...

Trails, parks and boat ramps are slowly reopening in Oregon as we inch our way closer to summer. But with the coronavirus pandemic ongoing, the threat of transmitting COVID-19 in public places means that closures and restrictions remain in place for many outdoor spaces across the state. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we cut through the confusion and answer some of the big questions outd...

In the finale of our campfire stories, producer Dave Killen shares the tale of a mountain climbing misadventure and cross-country road trip. Then, we share a heartwarming story from a listener. We're getting back to more typical Peak Northwest programming, but we've loved hearing and sharing stories from listeners, and we want to keep that going. If you’d like to submit a story, leave a message on...

We're focusing on tales of spooky adventures on this week’s Peak Northwest podcast episode — the latest in our series of campfire tales. Want to submit an outdoors or adventure story of your own? Leave a message on our podcast hotline, 503-221-4345, or send a voice memo to podcasts@oregonian.com. We’re hoping to feature more submitted stories in future episodes, and we’d love to hear from you. Rel...

We asked for your stories from the outdoors. And you delivered, responding with some darn good ones. So this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast — the fourth in our series of campfire tales — features several great stories submitted over the past few weeks. Want to submit an outdoors or adventure story of your own? Leave a message on our podcast hotline, 503-221-4345, or send a voice memo...

We all like to share the best moments from our outdoor adventures, but sometimes our most difficult experiences are the most rewarding. On this week’s episode, we look past the pretty photos to share experiences that pushed us to the limit — and taught us some valuable lessons in the process. We want to hear your stories, too! To submit your own campfire story, leave a message on our podcast hotli...

Whether it’s a bear sighting, a critter who gets too close or a feisty creature who wants you to scram, we all have stories about memorable contacts with animals while out in nature. So this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast — the latest in our “campfire stories” series — is dedicated to unforgettable animal encounters. Leave a message on our podcast hotline, 503-221-4345, or send a voi...

We’re breaking out some of our favorite campfire stories, and and we want to hear yours! If you’re interested in sharing a story from a past adventure, leave a message on our podcast hotline, 503-221-4345, or send a voice memo to podcasts@oregonian.com. Keep your stories about 3 minutes or less. We hope to include some of our favorites in future episodes. Read Jamie’s story about his trip to the E...

Spring has sprung in the Pacific Northwest, but our favorite outdoor spaces are presently sitting empty, as most of us stick close to home to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus in Oregon. It hasn’t been easy for the outdoorsy among us. After all, a walk around the neighborhood is no hike in the mountains. But there are ways to stay active and sane during this period of quarantine. This wee...

The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has shaken up life as we know it, with thousands of people in the Northwest becoming sick and many more finding themselves unemployed. Amid the upheaval, a loss of travel and recreation should fall low on our list of concerns. But we, like you, long for days outdoors. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Traveling with kids can be a challenge, albeit one with great rewards. For this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talked to a panel of parents to get their tips and tricks about traveling with kids. We also talked to a younger pair of experts on the topic. NOTE: Since the coronavirus outbreak has spread through Oregon and around the world, traveling with kids (or even traveling at a...

Oregon’s spring break is fast approaching. And while lots of spring breakers have their plans set in stone, some others don’t. At least not yet. So this week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we rattle off road trip ideas for the lucky folks who have time off later this month... but don’t quite know what to do with it. We’d be remiss, of course, not to reference the spread of the coronavirus in the N...

The heartiest of runners pound the pavement year-round. But as spring approaches, the prospect of warmer, sunnier days is bound to beckon more runners to Portland’s sidewalks and trails. So before the season turns, we sat down with Oregonian/OregonLive engagement editor Julie Evensen, an avid runner, to talk all things running. Read Jamie’s Portland runner’s guide to check out a compilation of foo...

Oregon has a lot of extremely busy state parks, but it also has plenty of places that see few visitors at all. This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk to Seth Miller, executive director of the Oregon State Park Foundation, to discuss the least visited state parks from 2019. See Jamie’s story on the 20 least popular Oregon state parks, and the 20 most popular Oregon state parks from 2019....

We discuss a few of our favorite winter options in and around Portland. We also shout out some Portland-area wildlife preserves that are worth a visit. Check out Jamie’s rundown of 10 wildlife preserves close to Portland. Watch a Peak Northwest video episode of Jim running the Wildwood Trail. Head over to the Hoyt Arboretum website to peruse its seasonal highlights. Watch Jim’s most recent Peak No...

We head to the rainy Coast Range mountains to discover hidden waterfalls in the woods. See Jamie’s stories on Niagara Falls and Drift Creek Falls. Also check out our list of the 10 things to pack for a day hike in Oregon, and get some tips on rainy day hiking in our previous episode of the podcast. To find directions to some of the more remote waterfalls, as well other hikes around Oregon, head to...

Bend is a special place any time of year, but we’re particularly fond of Oregon’s high-desert hangout during the wintertime. Read Jamie’s 20 reasons to love Bend, and check out Michael Russell’s beer lover’s guide to central Oregon. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Downhill skiing is one popular way to experience the majesty of the mountains, come wintertime. But there are plenty of other options for those seeking a different kind of mountain experience. This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we discuss snowy activities that don’t involve buying a lift ticket or spending time at a ski resort. Check out this guide to Oregon Sno-Parks, read Jamie’s story abo...

This week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast dives into the surprising history of yurts in Oregon — and why campers went nuts for them. Jamie and Jim are joined by Craig Tutor, the former state parks manager who first put yurts into parks back in the early 1990s. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Oregon coast’s signature cuisine can be summarized in four words: fish, chips and chowder. We sit down with Michael Russell, the Oregonian/OregonLive’s restaurant reporter and critic, to discuss where to find the coast’s finest. Check out Jamie’s 10 favorite fish and chips spots on the Oregon coast. Read Michael’s rundown of where to eat on the North Oregon Coast. Peruse Jamie’s guide to the c...