Peak Northwest

A rainy fall and mushroom season pretty much go hand in hand. If you’ve seen mushrooms growing on hikes, but haven’t foraged with the intent of eating them, you’re not alone. Hunting and identifying mushrooms can take years of studying. Some are great and tasty, while others strike worry, for fear of being poisonous. But if you’re interested in getting into mushroom foraging there is good news: th...

If you’re looking to walk off that Thanksgiving dinner or avoid shopping malls like the plague, there’s another tradition for you: Green Friday. Celebrated by state parks in both Oregon and Washington on the day after Thanksgiving, and sometimes called Autumn Day or Native American Heritage Day, the fee-free holiday waives all parking fees at parks where they’re normally charged. While park fees,...

Rim Drive in Crater Lake National Park is the scenic 33 mile route that goes around the entirety of the lake. Biking Rim Drive offers an incredible route filled with breathtaking views of the lake, canopies of trees and challenging elevation changes. Closed for a good portion of the year due to snow, Rim Drive is a bucket list ride for cyclists who find time to do it when the weather and condition...

This fall, a bit of news came out that isn’t news to many Oregonians: Manzanita was named one of the most beautiful small towns in America. That’s according to a list created by Architectural Digest, which included the north Oregon coast town with a two-sentence writeup highlighting the fact that visitors can see “beach dunes and mountains in one view.” Locals and regular visitors to the coast kno...

Programming note: This is a rebroadcast of an excellent episode from October, 2021. Go hike this epic trail! The Wilson River Trail runs almost 24 miles through the Coast Range, offering hikers a variety of options for excellent fall excursions. Situated on the north side of Oregon 6, the highway between Hillsboro and Tillamook, the trail snakes through a lush, quiet forest featuring deciduous tre...

People using mobility devices, who are blind or who live with cognitive impairment all enjoy outdoor recreation, yet for hikers with disabilities there are still many obstacles in the way. Overcoming those barriers is the goal of Access Recreation, a Portland organization dedicated to supporting hikers with disabilities through its own website, Access Trails, in addition to conducting trainings wi...

If you want a taste of Bavaria in the Pacific Northwest, then Leavenworth, Wash., is the place to go. You can indulge in bratwurst, pretzels and beer while wearing lederhosen, all while being surrounded by Bavarian architecture. Even the McDonald’s and the gas station are in theme. The town is also located at the base of the Cascades, making it a gateway to standout hikes and climbs. On this week’...

Down in southern Oregon, tucked away in the foothills of the Siskiyou Mountains, there’s a small but mighty wine scene just waiting to be explored. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk all about the Applegate Valley wine country, where a wide variety of grapes grow among some seriously beautiful scenery. Nestled between Grants Pass and Medford near the California border, the wine regi...

Birding is for everyone. That’s the philosophy at Guero Bird Club, a Portland bird watching group run by local torta restaurant Guero, which for the last year has been leading regular bird walks for beginners and experts alike. On today’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to Audrey Tawdry, co-founder of the Guero Bird Club, who brings a sense of community to her bird walks that she hosts at parks...

The Hood River Valley consists of more than 15,000 acres of irrigated farmland. If you enjoy fresh picked fruit, or better yet, picking your own fruit, you’re in for a special treat at the Hood River Fruit Loop. With 35 miles of country back roads, the Fruit Loop offers 27 different orchards, farm stands, bakeries, flower fields, wineries and breweries. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we...

Known as the Mother of all Relays, the world’s longest running and walking relay race starts at the base of Mount Hood at Timberline Lodge. Over the course of two days, athletes run nearly 200 miles to the Pacific Ocean. Now, you might be thinking, who in their right minds would do such a thing? For the past 40 years, tens of thousands of athletes come out to run or walk the course. On this week’s...

Maybe you’ve seen a herd of elk before. But have you heard the herd? Better yet, have you tried calling one over? If you have no idea what an elk sounds like, you’re not alone. Lucky for you, there are many people who not only know the sounds of elk, but compete in imitating their noises. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we had the chance to talk with colleague Sam Swindler, who recently...

Driving out to eastern Oregon offers travelers an opportunity to see some of the state’s finest desert terrain. If you plan your trip just right, and take a few less traveled roads, you’re in for a treat of small town exploration, too. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk with colleague, Sam Swindler, video producer and reporter for Here is Oregon, who just got back from an epic repor...

The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens is considered the most destructive volcanic eruption in United States history. The explosion reduced the mountain’s elevation by about 1,370 feet. Today, hikers and mountaineers set off to the volcano for the day-long adventure to climb to the top. The reduced elevation makes the trek suitable for beginner mountaineers, too. On this week’s episode of Peak Nort...

Mount Hood holds endless adventuring opportunities. Famous for being a playground for ski and snowboard enthusiasts, the south side of the mountain receives a lot of love, rightfully so, for places like Timberline Lodge, Mount Hood Meadows and Mount Hood Skibowl. But the north side of the mountain offers plenty of activities, too, especially in the summer. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest,...

A lot can happen in 100 years. In the century years since Oregon christened its first state park, the system has transformed into a global attraction. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, Jamie and Vickie discuss the state parks system’s place in society today and ponder where Oregon goes from here. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: ·     The founding history – inclu...

Sauvie Island is a popular place, and it’s no surprise why: The sprawling Columbia River island is home to hiking trails, beaches, berry farms and more – the recipe for a perfect summer day. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dig into the best trails to hike, the best beaches to lounge on, and a few of the best farms to stop at while you explore the island. Pack your sunscreen, pick up a...

Music lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike have a wealth of options when it comes to hearing music live and outdoors. Portland concertgoers can make a four-and-a-half hour drive to dance to sweet tunes as the sun sets behind a gorge. There’s also the option 30 minutes away to sit out on a lawn with friends as big artists rock out. Either way, making it to an outdoor show is a must every summer for...

You don’t need to drive out into the Columbia River Gorge or up the slopes of Mount Hood to get into nature – there are plenty of places to get outside in Portland’s suburbs. From Hillsboro to Troutdale, Oregon City to Battle Ground, there are forested trails, mountain hikes, riverside walks and wildlife refuges to explore. Better yet, they’re often located near great restaurants, shopping distric...

Getting outside with your kids can be one of the most rewarding experiences. If not just for your little one to see nature’s great splendor, then for you, the adult, to leave home too, and take a nice breath of fresh air in the forest. There are plenty of family friendly adventures worth seeking out in the Portland-metro area. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we chat with two...

People tend to travel to Eugene for the University of Oregon or its many outdoor recreation opportunities – or for the upcoming World Athletics Championships – but the Willamette Valley town also boasts one of Oregon’s best food scenes. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to Michael Russell, restaurant reporter and critic for The Oregonian/OregonLive, who recently wrote a guide to Eu...

When you think about classical music, the first thing that comes to mind is probably a performance in a beautiful concert hall with perfect acoustics and a large stage. Hunter Noack, creator and pianist of In A Landscape, had other plans. Originally from Newport, the Oregon-raised musician has brought his classical performances to mountains, lakes, deserts and the coast, all with a Steinway grand...

It may be one of the farthest-flung tourist towns in Oregon, but Joseph is well worth the long drive to get there. Peak Northwest podcast hosts Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor spent a busy few days in town and left feeling like they'd barely scratched the surface of things to do there. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: The Jennings Hotel is a great place to stay, with modern amenities a...

A trip to the south-central Oregon coast for a work trip stole the heart of podcast co-host Vickie Connor, as she explored this part of the state for the first time on a four day work trip. Filled with natural wonder from anemones to sea lions and phenomenal rock formations on the beach, this section of the Oregon coast is guaranteed to leave you with a feeling of awe and admiration. Plus, the tri...

It’s not just the rain that’s been putting a damper on spring adventures in Oregon – record gas prices have also been making us rethink our weekend day trips to the coast or Columbia Gorge. Not content to simply complain about what we’re paying at the pump, on this week’s episode of Peak Northwest we tick off some local excursions around the Portland area, including close-in hiking trails and area...