Peak Northwest

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...

Rockaway Beach does not usually make the lists of best beach towns. Narrow it down to the north Oregon coast specifically, and it still faces stiff competition with Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Astoria, Seaside and Pacific City. That could be even more reason to go. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we take a weekend trip to Rockaway Beach to discover all the overlooked destination has to offe...

As it stands, Oregon only has one full-fledged national park at Crater Lake. If things had gone differently, we could have had more. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive back through time to talk about four places around the state that were once considered for national park status – and why they weren’t ultimately picked. We also discuss whether or not the National Park Service should...

It should be no surprise that the historic town at the intersection of the Willamette and Clackamas rivers, where people have been gathering and celebrating since time immemorial, is a great place to spend the day. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we go out exploring Oregon City, a perfect day trip close to Portland, especially in the spring and summer when the town is buzzing and bloomin...

Saddle Mountain has long been one of the most popular hikes in Oregon’s northern Coast Range, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, but for two years it remained shuttered, leaving hikers to find other trails to climb. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, a few months after the state park’s big reopening, we return to the classic Coast Range adventure, mounting the saddle and t...

If you’re not into gambling in any form, is there any reason to visit a casino? Oregon’s casinos may not have the same allure as our beautiful natural attractions, but they remain among the most popular destinations in the state. For people more apt to hike the Cascades or explore the coast, is there any appeal? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we take a trip to Spirit Mountain Casino in...

New Mount Hood climbing permits are being implemented this year, in an effort to help educate the public about the risks associated with ascending the 11,245-foot peak. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we spoke with Ryan Matz, the climbing ranger program manager for Mt. Hood National Forest, who went over the new permits and offered some helpful tips and safety information for prospective...

Oregon is now home to the largest Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world, but found in a remote corner of the state, some people may be left wondering how, exactly, to explore it. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we break down this 2.5 million acre swath of southern Oregon, highlighting some of the best places there to go stargazing/ While remote, this part of the state features some truly breat...

Oregon isn’t much of a snorkeling or scuba diving destination in the way people typically think of the activities: There are no tropical waters here, no clownfish or coral reefs. What Oregon does have is Clear Lake, a beautiful setting high in the Cascade Mountains where divers and snorkelers can swim through crystal clear waters to an ancient underwater forest. On this week’s episode of Peak Nort...

You don’t have to be a stair freak to appreciate the many hidden stairways around Portland. The stairways lead through charming neighborhoods and beautiful parks, found in nearly every corner of the city. On this week’s Peak Northwest podcast, we string those stairways together for three beautiful stair walks – perfect outings to get your legs moving at the start of spring. Based on the book “Port...

The Oregon coast is no Cabo San Lucas, but it is one of the best spring break destinations in the Pacific Northwest. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we highlight 10 of the best beaches on the Oregon coast, from Astoria to Brookings. Whether you’re looking for beachside restaurants or quiet getaways, there’s a perfect place for you here. The Oregon coast may not have reliably sunny skies...

Is this the year you finally see the Perseid meteor shower? Will you be traveling to see the big solar eclipse? Can you catch a glimpse at one of the comets streaking through the sky? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive into some of the coolest astronomical events coming in 2024 – adjust your stargazing calendars accordingly. And while many of these events can be seen in your own bac...

There are few better ways to get to know Oregon than through the many different events that take place throughout our state every year. The Pendleton Round-Up, UFO Fest and Tamkaliks Celebration, to name a few, all show a different facet of this fascinating place. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we discuss which events are worth making a road trip to see, and why they can be such a joy....

Seattle, the biggest city in the Pacific Northwest, is a great local vacation option, boasting fascinating attractions, good food and outdoor recreation options both urban and wild. Portlanders, who famously loathe visiting their sister city to the north, might find the trip much more enjoyable simply by switching up the way that they get there. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we break d...