Peak Northwest

With the new year, there are some new changes coming to the Peak Northwest podcast. Chief among them is our new co-host, Chiara Profenna, the religion and culture reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive, who will be replacing longtime co-host Vickie Connor. As we welcome Chiara to Peak Northwest, we bid a fond farewell to Vickie, who has been with the show for nearly three years. While she will no l...

Pacific Northwest stargazers have a lot to look forward to in 2025 – even if there’s no solar eclipse on the calendar. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we highlight some of this year’s must-see astronomical events, including a total lunar eclipse, planet parade and plenty of meteor showers to keep your eyes glued to the night sky. Whether you’re an amateur astronomer or just enjoy looking...

If you’re looking for good fish and chips, you’d do well to stop in Astoria. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we stop by a few of Astoria’s best fish and chip shops, while discussing what it is that makes this place so good for fried fish and French fries. A trio of dedicated destinations show what makes this food scene shine. Just make sure you don’t listen to this episode before lunch....

The new year is here, which means it’s once again time to start dreaming and scheming up some fresh Pacific Northwest travels. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest we dip our toes into the 2025 Northwest Travel Guide, pulling out a few of the best places to visit and things to do around the region, from outdoor adventures to road trips and more. It’s also time for our annual reminder: Book you...

What is it about a Pacific Northwest forest? From the smell to the air to the feeling you get among the trees, we talk all about our love of Northwest forests on this week’s episode of Peak Northwest. Special guest Ross Reid, who’s known on social media as Nerdy About Nature, discusses the joy of educating people about forest ecology, and touches on the issues our regional forests face. Here are s...

There’s nothing like a hot spring soak in the coldest, darkest days of the year. Oregon, famously gray and/or chilly for a significant portion of the year, is thankfully home to a wealth of places to go soaking, spread out across scenic landscapes throughout the state. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we explore some of Oregon’s best and most beautiful places to soak, from the wellness sp...

For some people, one huge adventure is enough to hang your hat on. For Erica Nelson, it’s only the beginning. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we hear from the Portland fire captain who balances her time with an incredible array of global adventures, from ice climbing to bikepacking and international motorcycle excursions. For Nelson, the adventuring hasn’t been an escape, exactly, but a...

Holiday travelers at the Portland International Airport will see a lot of changes, both in the way that it looks and the things you can do while you’re there. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we discuss all the new places to eat, shop and hang out at the newly renovated PDX. While travelers might be tempted to rush through the airport on their way to a flight, the new restaurants, shops a...

Oregonians are no doubt familiar with Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge, two of the state’s most popular places to hike, swim, ski and explore, but the two spots are now getting more attention as one world-class destination. Global travel guide Lonely Planet recently named Mount Hood and the Columbia Gorge as one of the best regions to visit for 2025, ranked alongside spots in Switzerland an...

Have you ever wanted to try out tiny house living? Or go glamping in something other than a canvas tent? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we get it all on a little camping trip to a tiny house off the slopes of Oregon’s tallest mountain. Our two-night excursion to the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village included a walk along the Salmon River, a cozy afternoon inside Timberline Lodge and a night b...

Across the Pacific Northwest, Trail Mixed is bringing people together. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to two leaders of the Portland chapter of the West coast collective, which creates space for women of color to learn, teach and recreate together outside. Vivian Tang and Jenny Bryan talk about what it’s been like to participate and become leaders in the organization, which orga...

What’s in a name? Or, in this case, what’s in an Oregon place name? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we’re looking into the history behind the names of some of Oregon’s most beloved landmarks, pulling out some truly weird and wild stories from the Southern Oregon to the Columbia River Gorge. Forget everything you think you know about where our natural landmarks got their names. Here are s...

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...