Peak Northwest

With countless mountain peaks in view, rolling hills and one of the most breathtaking views of Cove Palisades State Park, it’s hard for cyclists to not love Madras Mountain Views Scenic Bikeway. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, Vickie chats with Jamie about her most recent bike trip to central Oregon, where she biked 29-mile loop to celebrate her birthday. Here are some highlights from th...

Of all the beach towns on the beautiful stretch of Pacific coastline in Oregon, Yachats might well be the most charming. Located on the rocky shores of the central Oregon coast, Yachats features a small but bustling corridor of restaurants and small businesses, with forested trails, tide pools, beaches and towering sea cliffs found nearby. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, Jamie recounts a...

Welcome to the weird, wonderful world of tide pooling. Both primal and alien, tide pools are chock full of interesting life, from tiny shore crabs to giant green anemones. Exploring these intertidal areas is a cherished pastime on the Oregon coast, but what do you need to know to get started? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to Jamie Kish, a marine biologist and tide pool ambassad...

Wildflowers are everywhere in the Columbia River Gorge, but one small stretch of the scenic area is more jam-packed with flowers than the rest. This wildflower corridor of the Columbia Gorge, located between Mosier and Lyle, is home to several beautiful recreation areas, where being among the blooms can be as easy as stepping out of your car, or as difficult as hiking up the side of a mountain. On...

Imagine rolling out of your vintage Airstream trailer, walking across the road and reaching the sand, ready for a beautiful day at the beach. That fantasy can be a reality at Hart’s Camp Airstream Hotel at Pacific City on the north Oregon coast, the destination for this week’s episode of Peak Northwest. Located steps away from Cape Kiwanda – not to mention all the shops and restaurants in Pacific...

Love hanging out at Mount Hood, but hate driving up to the mountain? Do we have some good news for you. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to Lizzy Acker, trending news reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive, who recently wrote about the experience of travelling by bus to Oregon’s tallest mountain. The latest in Acker’s car-free travel series once again features her 3-year-old daught...

Forget everything that comes to mind when you think about “a day at the lake” – these spots aren’t it. That doesn’t mean the little lakes of the Clatsop State Forest, found on the north end of Oregon’s Coast Range, aren’t worth checking out. Despite lacking amenities and featuring little in the way of actual water, they nonetheless make interesting attractions for year-round hiking between Portlan...

Hiking the entirety of the Wildwood Trail is a classic Portland bucket list item, and something many people accomplish – just not in one day. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to two local hikers who took on the famous 30-mile trail in Forest Park, with tips and words of caution for anybody else who feels up to the challenge. The hikers, Rachel Dumont and Noelle Crombie, who is the...

Programming note: This is a rebroadcast of an excellent episode from July, 2021. Be sure to visit the Circles in the Sand Labyrinths this year. Denny Dyke’s elaborate sand drawings are a sight to behold. But to experience the labyrinths for yourself is an entirely different experience. Dyke has since 2011 been drawing the labyrinths into low-tide Oregon beaches, and his Circles in the Sand project...

Traveling to the coast this spring, but tired of the same attractions? We have you covered. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we’re headed back to the north Oregon coast to explore some overlooked attractions, just in time for spring break. There’s nothing wrong with Cannon Beach and the Tillamook Creamery, but have you seen the spectacular beauty of Niagara Falls? Stood beneath the Rockaw...

For some skiers, it’s not as easy as heading up to the mountain, strapping on a pair of skis and hitting the slopes. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we speak with Carl Burnett, an adaptive ski racer who has been working with Oregon Adaptive Sports, a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking down the barriers faced by athletes with physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities. I...

Snowshoeing is one of the best ways to get out and active during the winter, especially for those who don’t ski or snowboard regularly. For co-host Vickie Connor, the activity seemed like the perfect opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in the winter, especially as someone who is wary of knee injuries, after an ACL tear years ago. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, Vickie chats with co-host Ja...

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest podcast, we catch up with former host, Jim Ryan. Jim takes us through his nordic ski trip on the Methow Valley trail system, near Winthrop, Washington, for the latest installment of My Epic Adventure, a sub-series of the podcast. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: You can spend the night on trail in reservable huts. How to get a trail pass for...

What’s better than spending a snow day with a pack of happy pups? Visitors to central Oregon’s Mt. Bachelor can have that experience by booking a sled dog ride with Oregon Trail of Dreams, an organization run by professional mushers in Bend. Currently run by Rachael Scdoris, the first legally blind person to finish the Iditarod, the one-hour rides offer a brief introduction into the fascinating wo...

An annular solar eclipse is crossing Oregon this fall, and whether you’re an eclipse-head or a casual stargazer, you’ll probably want to go check it out. The eclipse isn’t happening until Oct. 14, but if you want to see it, you’d do well to start planning now. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk all about how to prepare for the big cosmic event. Because while the annual solar eclipse...

This episode first aired on January 14, 2021. We all know that nature can be healing, but sometimes it’s not just as easy as going outside. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we spoke with Zoë Presley, a Portland-based psychotherapist and forest therapy guide, to help us understand how best to find healing in the great outdoors. With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, political u...

The dream of snowboarding or skiing down fresh, untouched powder in the backcountry is well and alive at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort in northeast Oregon. All with the help of a powder cat. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest podcast, we hear from one of The Oregonian/Oregon Live’s sports editors, Tim Brown, as he recounts his first cat-snowboarding experience at Anthony Lakes, for the lates...

Those used to the lush rainforests of western Oregon might be tempted to think there’s little to see on the more arid side of the Cascade Mountains. The High Desert Museum is here to prove that notion wrong. Located just south of Bend, the museum has spent the last 40 years introducing visitors to the nature, art and people of eastern Oregon. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we speak to D...

If you’ve only ever seen the waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park, you may be missing out. While most visitors to Oregon’s waterfall wonderland are content to stick to the famous Trail of Ten Falls, there are also more than 35 miles of backcountry trails to explore, winding their way through the bulk of the 9,200-acre state park. A day or overnight trip to the backcountry is an easy way to find s...

Thanks to COVID-19, the summer of 2020 was fraught with event cancellations, furloughs and social distancing. But not all was lost. People still also used this time to get away and get outside. Roadtrips were a common way to do this. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest podcast, we hear from The Oregonian/Oregon Live’s transportation and housing reporter, Jayati Ramakrishnan, for the latest in...

Making your travel plans for 2023? Need a little inspiration? We can help with that. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive into the latest Northwest Travel Guide and pull out 10 great ideas for the year ahead. From outdoor adventures on mountain trails to relaxing hot spring getaways, there’s something here for everyone. And between the many beautiful places in Oregon and Washington, t...

As the new year rapidly approaches, we are dreaming up adventures ahead with itineraries, reservation reminders and more. But we would be remiss to gloss over 2022 and its awe-inspiring trips, big and small. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we each count down our top five trips from the past year. Some adventures were big physical feats, while others allowed space to simply co...

Fresh fall snow is coating the high desert trails of eastern Oregon, and few are more beautiful than the Deschutes River Trail in Bend. Found just southwest of town, the trail is nearly nine miles long, running along the river through the Deschutes National Forest. Along the way, hikers and mountain bikers can find several beautiful waterfalls and stretches of calm river that are perfect spots for...

A trip to the Oregon coast is almost always a magical experience. Oregon’s Cannon Beach is one of the closest coastal towns to Portland. With cute shops and boutiques, a great selection of restaurants and of course, Haystack Rock, there is good reason why so many people choose to spend a day trip or weekend there. What could possibly sweeten the deal, you ask? Not having to drive. On this week’s P...

Looking for good views, nice trails, quiet beaches and a quaint lighthouse? No need to head to the coast – just drive out to Sauvie Island. The Warrior Rock Lighthouse, officially the smallest lighthouse in Oregon, is found at the northern tip of Sauvie Island near Portland, serving as a beacon for ships on the Columbia River and a landmark for anyone who hikes out to see it. The lighthouse was bu...