Peak Northwest

Surviving in the wilderness isn’t a game, but learning the skills necessary to do it can still be plenty of fun. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, Tony Peniche, creator of the PNW Survival Games, talks about his attempts to turn some basic survival skills into big entertainment. Peniche’s games take hardcore survivalists and inexperienced people through skills like building shelter, making...

When the snow melts and the alpine flowers begin to bloom, it’s time for the folks at Mt. Hood Skibowl to start taking out all their toys. With racecars, ziplines and the beloved alpine slide, there’s a lot that goes into transforming the snowy ski area into a summer adventure park. That’s not to mention the hiking trails that emerge from the snowmelt and the skilift that gets rebranded to the “sk...

There is no shortage of beautiful bike rides in Oregon, but the Reach the Beach cycling event is a truly remarkable experience. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to Vickie Connor, a visual journalist with The Oregonian/OregonLive, about her experience on this epic bike ride. Reach the Beach is a 105-mile ride from Sauvie Island to the Oregon coast, running through the scenic Clatso...

Summertime in Oregon is magical. But between the coastal beaches, the ice cream shops, the wine country getaways and the mountain views, how is anybody supposed to see it all? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we discuss a few of the best ways to make the most of an Oregon summer, from one of the best Mt. Hood hikes to some of the best cities to explore on foot. No matter how you approach...

You’ve probably driven from Portland to Astoria. Maybe you’ve even taken the bus. But have you ever traveled between the two cities by boat? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk about the twice-a-year travel experience that’s taking people down the Columbia River, providing a very different way to travel to the north Oregon coast. Lizzy Acker, who reported on the Astoria cruise earlie...

On hot summer days, Portlanders flock to the water – thankfully there’s a lot of that here. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we discuss the many, many swim spot options in and around the city, for people who are looking to dip their toes or take a dip in a cooling river or lake. Joining us to discuss swim spots is local swimmer Hadley Brooks, who for the last several years has embarked on...

Oregon is famous for its waterfalls, but not all are so easy to find. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we explore a hidden waterfall corridor along the North Umpqua River in the southern Cascade Mountains, ranking the best plunges and falls in the region. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes all you need is a quick trip to the ocean. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we take a baby day trip to the north Oregon coast – with an actual baby in tow. With stops in Cannon Beach, Manzanita and Nehalem, we find out what it’s like to explore the coast, from fish and chips shops to the sandy beach, with an infant along for the ride. Here are some highlights from this week’s sh...

There are a lot of places to stay the night on the Oregon coast, but some spots are just special. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive into our recent list of the best hotels on the Oregon coast, highlighting seven that are especially noteworthy. These places include affordable stays right off the highway, luxury destinations on the sand and unique spots with funky decor. Bookmark the...

There are a lot of places to find dark skies in Oregon, but relatively few that are set up to let you gaze deeply into the cosmos. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to Paul Poncy, observatory manager at the Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory in central Oregon, which is one of the state’s best places to go stargazing. Aside from the dark skies, the observatory also has several t...

It’s not every day that you get a brand new attraction in the Columbia River Gorge. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we head out to the new Mitchell Point Tunnel, open to pedestrians and cyclists only, found on the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail west of Hood River. The 665-foot tunnel, which features rock windows that open to spectacular views of the Columbia Gorge, is one of...

Wildflower season is here! The only question is where you’re going to go hiking to see them. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we cover all the best wildflower hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, which is easily the most colorful spot to get outside this time of year. From famous trails like Dog Mountain and the Tom McCall Preserve, to farther-flung destinations like Dalles Mountain Ranch a...

Not everyone appreciates a ski trip in spring, but those who visit central Oregon in the shoulder season might find a newfound fondness for the region. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we take a quick trip to Bend, with a stop for some spring skiing at Mt. Bachelor and a night in Sunriver. From the snowy slopes of the popular mountain to the brewpubs and bike trails around Bend, there’s a...

There are plenty of incredible overnight destinations in Oregon, but what about Warm Springs? Home of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, the reservation has not only beautiful rolling high desert hills, but also the immensely popular Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort and the Museum at Warm Springs. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we outline a brief itinerary for a great overnighter...

Everybody should have access to outdoor recreation, regardless of their abilities. That’s the mission of Adventures Without Limits, an Oregon nonprofit that takes people outside and finds creative solutions to whatever barriers they may be facing. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to Anna Eick, program coordinator for the organization. The group has a wide variety of outings throug...

You might be able to recognize a few locations featured in some of the most famous films made in Oregon, like “Twilight” or “The Shining,” but how do you find them all? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we explore the Oregon Film Trail, a series of markers erected at famous filming locations throughout the state. We’re joined by Kristi Turnquist, life and culture for The Oregonian/OregonLi...

If your idea of spring break travel is less Cancun and more Corvallis, then we have a few ideas for you. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we look at some of the most overlooked attractions in the Willamette Valley that are perfect for some family-friendly day trips this spring. While most people will flock to the Oregon coast, Mount Hood or the Columbia River Gorge, you can break the mold...

There’s always a good reason to stop in Sandy – especially if you’re in need of a quick bite to eat. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive into the small town between Portland and Mount Hood, which entices travelers with breakfast burritos, donuts, bagels and other grab-and-go food options. We have five of the best spots to stop off at, whether you’re going up or coming back down from...

Maybe you’ve seen the videos come across your social media feed. They show a man, with a backwards hat and hiking poles, grumpily tromping down some beautiful, forested trail. The caption: “going on a stupid hike for my stupid mental health.” On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to southern Oregon resident Andy Neal, creator of the videos, who has been turning his viral moment into a...

At She Shreds clinics, “egos get left behind.” On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to Jenn Lockwood, training supervisor at the Mt. Hood Meadows Learning Center, who runs the She Shreds program. Lockwood said the program, which features both camps and clinics, offers women a space to learn together, grow their skills and create community. Participants often stay in touch, she said, a...

An internet series dedicated to the experience of Black travelers has paid a visit to one of the best destinations in Oregon. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, Anthony and Marlie Love from Traveling While Black discuss their recent trip up the Oregon coast, which will be released in upcoming episodes on their YouTube channel. Based in Seattle, the couple helps travelers connect with Black...

Plenty of people take the Amtrak train from Portland to Seattle, but how many keep riding all the way to Canada? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, our colleague Veronica Nocera recounts her recent train ride between Portland and Vancouver, B.C. (a route that resumed service in 2023), as well as her weekend north of the border. Nocera, who has taken both a train and a plane between the two...

Oregon is in the middle of a dark sky renaissance. With new Dark Sky Parks, a pair of Dark Sky Communities and one massive Dark Sky Sanctuary, it seems like half of eastern Oregon has suddenly become dark sky country. But what does it mean? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dig into Oregon’s new push for astrotourism, and break down these new designations, all of which come from DarkSky...

It might not be a shocking revelation that traveling with a baby is a challenge. More shocking is that it’s perfectly doable. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, Jamie shares six travel lessons he’s learned from his first six months as a parent – they might not be what you think. Traveling with babies, especially those younger than six months, can be a much different challenge than traveling...

It’s been a very good year to be a skier in Oregon. With snowpack at great levels as we near mid-winter, snow sports enthusiasts have been flocking to Oregon’s tallest mountain to take full advantage. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk all about skiing and snowboarding on Mount Hood, from the best places to rent gear, to navigating the sweeping terrain on the side of the mountain. H...