Peak Northwest

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...

With waterfalls, hot springs and crystal-clear lakes, the scenery on the McKenzie River Trail is among the very best in Oregon. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk all about the 26.4-mile hiking trail, found in Oregon’s central Cascade Mountains east of Eugene, and all there is to see along the way. Whether you’re hoping to tackle the whole trail this summer or checking o...

Oftentimes, stereotypes portray outdoor adventurers to look a certain way or have a specific background. But access to the outdoors is meant for everyone to enjoy, even if you didn’t grow up exploring all corners of the forest. Even if summiting mountains at record speeds isn’t your thing. For so many, just getting outside and having a good time is a huge accomplishment. On this week’s episode of...

One of the best parts about enjoying our great outdoors is that you can make your time as relaxed or as intense as you wish. You can hike a nice trail to see tall, awe-inspiring waterfalls. You can enjoy some calm, flat waters atop a kayak. Or you can combine the two, take the risk factor up tenfold and paddle your sit-in kayak down a 100-foot tall waterfall (after a lot of training and preparatio...

You may have seen the whimsical bear statues placed around downtown Grants Pass in the summer, but have you ever wondered where they go to hibernate? Their off-season home, a place called the Bear Hotel, is one of the most fascinating under-the-radar attractions in southern Oregon, offering a fun, family-friendly place to spend an afternoon. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to Mel...

The Columbia River Gorge is a staple for Pacific Northwest adventures. From awe-inspiring trail views, to waterfalls and wildflowers, the gorge is a must-see destination, especially with its close proximity to Portland. Visitors this summer, however, will need to do an extra layer of research. It’s a new world in the Gorge during peak hiking season, and chances are you’ll need a permit -- and a pl...

Peak Northwest is undergoing some change this spring, with a brand new co-host just in time for the busy travel season. Replacing our original co-host, Jim Ryan – who recently left for Seattle – is Vickie Connor, a videographer for The Oregonian/OregonLive who also works on the Peak Northwest video series. On this week’s episode, we get to know all about Vickie’s background, her interests and what...

Before it was a podcast — or had a name at all — Peak Northwest was Jim Ryan’s offbeat brainchild. Jim, at the time a breaking news reporter, pitched Oregonian/OregonLive editors a video series about how to set out on signature Oregon adventures. The concept stuck — kind of. The news organization launched the Peak Northwest video series, then the podcast, in fall 2019. Video shoots have since take...

Long weekends are cause for celebration — and a prime time for road trips. While we hardly shy away from covering some serious ground during standard two-day weekends, an extra day off gives us an opportunity to set our sights a bit farther afield. And with Memorial Day weekend on the not-too-distant horizon, we decided to dedicate this episode of the Peak Northwest podcast to a collection of top-...

There’s no shortage of beautiful beaches on the Oregon coast – especially on the southern coast, home to some of the best sands in the state. Running roughly from Reedsport to the Oregon-California border, the southern Oregon coast features sweeping sand dunes, towering cliffs, tide pools and incredible ocean views. Picking favorites on this stretch of coastline is a tall order. On this week’s epi...

The Northwest is an angler’s paradise. The region’s rivers, lakes and coastline boast ample opportunities for fishing and other outdoor pursuits. But we’re far from angling experts here on the Peak Northwest podcast. So we recruited Bill Monroe — who covers fishing, hunting and wildlife for The Oregonian/OregonLive — to give us a primer on one of his favorite pastimes. Some highlights: Bill provid...

If you had to guess which Oregon state park sees the biggest crowds, you might try busy destinations like Silver Falls or Smith Rock, or maybe big coastal parks like Fort Stevens or Beverly Beach. You probably wouldn’t think of Valley of the Rogue, which was far and away the busiest state park in 2021, as it has been for years. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to Nathan Seable, th...

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest we talk to Bob Grossfeld, manager of the Sunriver Observatory, where visitors can peer through telescopes to see the wonders of the cosmos. Those who can’t make it out to the observatory can still go stargazing on their own, he explains, with nothing more than a pair of binoculars. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about...

When most Oregonians want waterfalls, we head to the Columbia River Gorge, home to dozens of iconic plunges. But travel toward the Oregon coast instead and you can find many more waterfalls hidden in the forests of the Coast Range mountains. We dedicated a Peak Northwest podcast episode back in 2020 to the waterfalls in the northern part of the range. And on this week’s episode, we talk about some...