Peak Northwest

Hosts Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor take you to some of the greatest destinations in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

Society & Culture
Places & Travel
Sports
151
Exploring Low Tide on the Oregon Coast
When the tide is out, there's so much more to discover along Oregon's coastline. From tide pools to hidden treasures, we have the best things to see and do, along with tips on how to stay safe while you're out there.
21 min
152
Outdoor Dangers in the Pacific Northwest
Heading out into the wilderness is a rich and beautiful experience, but it also comes with some inherent risks. From sneaker waves to hungry bears, we'll go over all the biggest dangers people face in the outdoors, and how to stay safe while you...
36 min
153
100 Things to do in Oregon
On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, reporter Lizzy Acker joins us to discuss a list of over 100 Oregon destinations made for those looking to get back out and explore now that it’s becoming safer to do so.
30 min
154
Where to hike and visit on the Washington side ...
The Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge is often overlooked in favor of the popular attractions on the Oregon side of the gorge. But the Washington side has plenty to offer in its own right. And this week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we discu...
18 min
155
The best places to visit, eat and drink in Oreg...
There’s far more to see in Salem than the state Capitol topped with a golden lumberjack, and far more to do than visit the state fair. The “Cherry City” boasts a vibrant food scene, beautiful public gardens and riverfront parks, all nestled into the ce...
20 min
156
Exploring Oregon's central coast
It’s hard to play favorites when it comes to the Oregon coast, yet we find ourselves returning, time and again, to the central stretch of our coastline.Looking for natural wonders? How about Cape Perpetua and the Oregon Dunes. Want a beach town to s...
24 min
157
Exploring Silver Falls’ waterfall wonderland on...
The Northwest is home to some seriously incredible waterfall hikes, but there’s nothing else quite like the Trail of Ten Falls, which passes by 10 beautiful waterfalls in Silver Falls State Park. The waterfalls are the result of millions of years of ge...
21 min
158
How nature built the Pacific Northwest we love ...
The Northwest is home to a host of fascinating natural features, from the Columbia River Gorge to the coastline and Cascades. But have you ever wondered what natural forces have shaped the landscapes we love? This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we...
34 min
159
How to see wildflowers in the Columbia River Gorge
There are few sites more beautiful than fields of wildflowers over the Columbia River Gorge.Already one of the most scenic places in the Pacific Northwest, the Columbia Gorge gets a big splash of color each spring as rolling hills on either side of ...
24 min
160
Make the most of Portland’s sprawling Forest Park
Forest Park is one of the best natural spaces in Oregon, and one of the best urban forests in the U.S. It’s no wonder that so many people cherish the Portland park. But accessing Forest Park isn’t as easy as other outdoor recreation areas. On this week...
31 min
161
Help scientists by taking snow measurements on ...
Meet Dave Hill and Nina Aragon, two Oregon State University researchers behind the Community Snow Observations project, which enables backcountry users, such as snowmobilers and snowshoers, to submit snow depth measurements using a mobile app. Those me...
27 min
162
5 great evening hikes for longer days
As the sun sets later and later this spring, we’re getting a little more time every evening to get out and explore the nature. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we take a look at some of the best spring evening hiking spots around t...
22 min
163
Planning (but not actually taking) our dream va...
On this week's episode of the show, we depart the beautiful Pacific Northwest — purely hypothetically, of course. As many folks dream of vacations they'll take post-pandemic, we share some of the big trips we've dreamed up.You can sup...
31 min
164
Shoulder season travel shows a different side o...
Traveling during the shoulder season – just before or just after the peak season for tourism – is not just a way to beat the crowds, but an opportunity to see the Pacific Northwest in a whole new light. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we go o...
27 min
165
The keepers of Oregon's hiking trails (and how ...
On this week's episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, two representatives from the nonprofit Trailkeepers of Oregon discuss what it takes to maintain hiking trails and how you can get involved.You can support this podcast and our local journalism...
24 min
166
How 2 campers got stranded in the Oregon mounta...
Henry Backus and Matisse Nash set out late to the Cascade Mountains from Portland. The two planned to stay the night at a secluded campsite east of Eugene, then visit a nearby hot springs in the morning. What was supposed to be a quick overnighter turn...
37 min
167
Watching whales on the Oregon coast
Gray whales will once again migrate past the Pacific Northwest this spring, bringing some 25,000 of the massive mammals to the Oregon coast. Even though that seems like a sizable crowd, they can be hard to spot. This week on the Peak Northwest podcast,...
22 min
168
How to camp in the snow
Aching to go camping? You don't have to wait for warmer weather. We provide a rundown of how to go snow camping in the snow — and stay warm while you're out.You can support this podcast and our local journalism with a subscription to OregonL...
33 min
169
Cannon Beach a lively winter destination, despi...
Watch a powerful storm batter the coastline, hike through a lush coastal rainforest, enjoy a good meal from a local restaurant and catch a radiant sunset over Haystack Rock. Winter is a magical time at Cannon Beach, and one that scores of tourists have...
29 min
170
Cannon Beach a lively winter destination, despi...
Watch a powerful storm batter the coastline, hike through a lush coastal rainforest, enjoy a good meal from a local restaurant and catch a radiant sunset over Haystack Rock. Winter is a magical time at Cannon Beach, and one that scores of tourists have...
29 min
171
Spotting bald eagles in southern Oregon
If you’re looking for bald eagles, head to the border between southern Oregon and northern California. Every winter, the Klamath Basin hosts the largest concentration of bald eagles in the continental U.S., according to the Klamath Basin Audubon Societ...
21 min
172
How to make travel plans for an uncertain 2021
On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we discuss the challenges of travel planning in a strange and uncertain year, using this year’s Northwest Travel Guide as a jumping-off point to generate a few ideas. Uncertainty doesn’t have to mea...
35 min
173
What will it take to turn an old rail line into...
Late last year, Peak Northwest co-host Jim Ryan took a tour of the Salmonberry Trail, a historic rail line that’s currently closed to the public but could one day become an 86-mile multi-use path connecting the Portland area to the Oregon coast. For th...
26 min
174
How to find healing in nature
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 talk about ...
27 min
175
The rise of the rookie hiker
Crowded trailheads. Packed campgrounds. Busy beaches, rivers and lakes. Oregon outdoor recreation areas saw a huge flood of visitors in 2020, many of whom were new to outdoor recreation. We discuss the crowds and offer some advice for people who don’t ...
31 min