Peak Northwest

What makes a hike spooky? Is it the dark, misty environment of a Northwest fall day? Or the old, abandoned buildings sometimes found on the trail? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we investigate five of the spookiest hiking areas around Oregon, just in time for the dark season. Our picks range from the Oregon coast to the high desert, with plenty of deep, dark forests in between. For thos...

Just about every town in America has a tree lighting event, walk-through light display or downtown shopping night for the holidays, but a few spots like to do something a little extra. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we look at the Pacific Northwest holiday events that might be worth traveling to, from busy winter festivals to visits from Krampus. There’s something delightful about small...

With apologies to summer, fall is a perfect season for hiking. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we cover some of the very best fall hiking destinations close to Portland, which areconvenient outings for the ever-shortening days. Covering Mount Hood, the Coast Range, the Columbia River Gorge and Portland proper, these hikes are great places to take in the crisp air, the changing leaves, an...

For some adventurers, a two to four day backpacking trip can be the perfect amount of time to disconnect with the business of day to day life and reconnect with the nature around us. But, for others, a longer trip is needed, or in this case, wanted. This week on Peak Northwest podcast, breaking news and enterprise reporter Fedor Zarkhin recounts his most recent trip to the Wallowas, where he backp...

A triathlon can be a daunting experience. Combine swimming, cycling and running into one event and you have a race that countless endurance athletes look forward to each year. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, host Vickie Connor recounts her latest race: IRONMAN 70.3 Washington Tri-Cities. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: Where to start as a first-time triathlete. Biking thr...

If you find yourself traveling from Portland to Crater Lake National Park, consider taking a slightly longer, scenic route to enjoy the trip. This week on Peak Northwest podcast, we talk about a few of the many highlights of Highway 138, lovingly known at Oregon’s highway of waterfalls. The stretch of roadway between Roseburg and Diamond Lake offers numerous stops, including not only waterfalls, b...

If you’re up for the challenge, biking around Crater Lake’s scenic Rim Drive is arguably one of the best cycling routes in the state. Even sweeter, the road is almost entirely closed to vehicle traffic for two days every summer. This week on Peak Northwest podcast, co-host Vickie Connor chats about participating in Ride the Rim 2024 and why the trip is a perfect end cap to your bike summer. Here a...

Each year, hundreds of brave swimmers board a sternwheeler boat in the Columbia River Gorge to swim from the Washington side of the river to a finish line in Oregon. It’s an 80-year-tradition, now hosted in Cascade Locks. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, host Vickie Connor recounts her recent open water swim at the Columbia River Cross Channel Swim event. Here are some highlights from thi...

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It’s no secret that the Willamette Valley has several epic wine spots and vineyards. But some places are going above and beyond to offer unique experiences in addition to their tasting selections. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we are joined by engagement editor, Julie Evensen and video editor Teresa Mahoney, to chat about some of the coolest spots to drink wine in and around the Portla...

If you’re dreaming of a final challenging backpacking trip this summer or wanting a stunning adventure for early fall, Broken Top Loop trail might just be your answer. With emerald green lakes, peaceful stream crossings, plus views of multiple mountain peaks, this trail will leave you in awe of the state’s beauty. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, co-host Vickie Connor recounts her most re...

If you’ve spent the summer working yourself into peak hiking shape, there are some great trails to test your endurance, not in the mountains but by the beach. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we get into five long-distance hikes on the Oregon coast, climbing the steep cliffs and headlands, past rocky tide pools and down onto the sand. Utilizing the long, snaking trail systems at some of t...

Kah-Nee-Ta is back, just in time for the second half of summer vacation. The beloved Warm Springs resort is not completely back to its former glory, but a piece of it has been renovated and reopened as Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort, setting it up as the hottest new vacation destination in Oregon. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive into the hot spring soaking pools, take a spin on th...

Summer means big crowds at Oregon’s busiest state parks, places like Silver Falls and Fort Stevens, which draw millions of visitors each year. But what about those other parks? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we take a road trip to some of the least visited state parks in Oregon, all clustered together in a rural, remote part of northeast Oregon. Here, you won’t find crowds – or, at some...

Crater Lake is one of those places where you can, and probably should, spend a few days exploring. Between Rim Drive, the historic lodge and loads of nearby hikes, there’s enough there for days of adventure. But sometimes you don’t have that time. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we go through a recent one-night visit to Oregon’s famous national park, discussing how to make the most of a...

Mountain climbers may consider Mount Shasta one of the easier Pacific Northwest mountains to ascend, but it’s no easy feat. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, our colleague Fedor Zarkhin, breaking news and enterprise reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive, recounts his wild expedition to the top of the towering Cascade Mountain peak, sharing his stumbles and successes along the way. Making i...

Plenty of people talk about Bigfoot, but what is it like to go out searching for the famous cryptid? On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk to Samantha Swindler, videographer and features reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive, who recently went out into the wilderness with a pair of Bigfoot hunters. Her experience took her deep into the woods of Sasquatch mythology – and dee...

With the Fourth of July weekend upon us, you might find yourself wanting to explore outside. But, you might face the conundrum of knowing your typical go-to spot will have an influx of other people there, too. If that’s you, have no fear, there are plenty of places to explore, it’s just a matter of knowing where to look. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, Jamie and Vickie peel back the curt...

Just when you think you’ve seen and done everything in Northeast Oregon, you discover something new. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, Jamie recounts his latest trip to Joseph, where he found even more to see and do in the remote corner of the state, from light-up kayaks to a railroad hike and a tour of one fascinating general store. Between the mountains, small towns, glacial lakes and wi...

Summer low tides have arrived on the Oregon coast, uncovering a host of intertidal adventures. From tide pools to secret beaches, there are a lot of things to see on the rugged coastline when the tide goes out – as long as you can do so safely. Exploring the intertidal areas in Oregon is rewarding but dangerous. Between slippery and jagged rocks, rough cliffs, sea creatures and the rising tide, th...

Seattle to Portland bike ride is one of the most anticipated cycling events in the region. Thousands of endurance riders gather to bike more than 200 miles over the course of one or two days. While it might seem like a daunting ride, with enough preparation and training, the event can be extremely rewarding and confidence-building. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest podcast, we hear from Jen...

Bike packing is the ultimate mix of cycling and camping. It’s also one of the best ways to explore Oregon, especially in the summer months, whether you’re biking through towns or traveling through the backcountry. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, co-host Vickie Connor recounts her first and recent bike packing trip and all the reasons she loves this new hobby. Here are some highlights fro...

How do you bring more diversity into the Pacific Northwest’s outdoor recreation areas? Try following the lead of Wild Diversity. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we speak with Mercy M’fon, founder and co-director of Portland-based nonprofit, which is actively working with BIPOC and LGBTQ communities to get greater representation outdoors. M’fon takes us through the origins of Wild Diversi...

From the towering heights of Multnomah Falls to the delicate spray of Fairy Falls, there’s a lot to love about the Waterfall Corridor – and there are a lot of people to love it with. One of the most popular attractions in Oregon, the eight-mile stretch of the Columbia River Gorge is known for its stunning scenery and big crowds, which swell every spring and summer. On this week’s episode of Peak N...

Epic summer vacations are nice, but there’s something to be said about a simple day trip. Here in western Oregon, it’s incredibly easy to find any number of beautiful day trips, with the ocean, mountains, forest, rivers and desert all found within a three-hour radius. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive into a few great options for this summer. Day trips prove that you don’t need a b...