Peak Northwest

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...

One of the best ways to get through Oregon’s rainy season is to embrace it. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk about the best places to go hiking in the rain, and the preparations you should take before striking off into the elements. Read Jamie’s list of the 12 best rainy day hikes around Oregon.  Watch the latest Peak Northwest video to see Jim try out surfing on the Oregon coast....

The new year has only just begun, but it’s already high time to start making your 2020 travel plans around the Pacific Northwest. On this week’s Peak Northwest podcast, we go over some helpful tips for booking campsites, hotels and fire lookouts around the region. We also offer up some ideas for trips around Oregon and beyond and dive into some of our own plans for the year ahead. See acast.com/pr...

Jim and Jamie look back at their respective years of adventure and exploration. Amy Wang, The Oregonian/OregonLive’s newsletter editor and books columnist, talks about her year-long quest to visit 50 fun places. Reporter Shane Dixon Kavanaugh discusses his backpacking trip on the beautiful Rogue River Trail. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choice...

There are natural hot springs all over Oregon and the greater Pacific Northwest, from rustic mountain springs to high desert resorts. We talk with reporter Molly Harbarger and hot spring aficionado Dana Halferty to talk about where to find hot springs, how to soak in them and why these warm water oases are so popular in the first place. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Le...

This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we join The Oregonian/OregonLive's sports trending editor, Tim Brown, to discuss what skiers and snowboarders need to know before heading up to the mountain this season. (And before you take a trip to the mountain, note that the Dairy Queen restaurant we reference in the episode is in Rhododendron — not Zigzag, as we said.) Read Jim's ski season preview 13...

Whether you’re looking for a funky farmhouse, barrel-aged Belgian or impeccable pub ale, Hood River’s breweries offer a pint for every palate. This week, Oregonian/OregonLive beer reporter Andre Meunier discusses the city's heralded beer scene. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we’re talking all things Alvord Desert. The seasonally dry lakebed in the far southeastern corner of the state is known for its beautiful cracked playa, stunning scenery and the adventures it affords – from quiet exploring to jet-powered vehicles. Jamie dives into his recent trip to the playa, where he soaked in hot springs, caught a sunset and did some lat...

Everybody knows Pendleton for its rodeo, blankets and whiskey, but you’d be doing the eastern Oregon town a disservice by not checking out all the rest it has to offer. Don't miss Beth Nakamura's photos from the Pendleton Round-Up. Read Jayati Ramakrishnan's stories on navigating the Round-Up and encouraging Portlanders to check out the other side of Oregon. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and o...

Welcome to Peak Northwest. This week on the podcast, we discuss Jim’s foray into whitewater stand-up paddleboarding, how whitewater SUPing first got on his radar and what it takes to stay upright on the river. Don't miss this video about the trip. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Peak Northwest will take you to some of the most beautiful and interesting destinations in our region. Meet your guides, Jamie Hale and Jim Ryan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices