Peak Northwest

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

Society & Culture
Places & Travel
Sports
201
Introducing Oregon’s newest backpacking trail
This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we discuss the Corvallis-to-the-Sea Trail. Running about 60 miles from downtown Corvallis to Ona Beach south of Newport, the long-distance hiking and mountain biking trail crosses through a dense Coast Range for...
22 min
202
How to end summer in the PNW
The end of summer looms, but that doesn't mean the end to exciting adventures around Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. On the latest episode of Peak Northwest, Jim and Jamie float a bunch of wonderful options for end of summer activities across th...
29 min
203
How to explore the Lower Rogue River in southwe...
Take a hike, go backpacking, paddle downriver or spend a few nights relaxing at a lodge. There are so many different ways to experience the wild and scenic Rogue River.
23 min
204
Hiking, biking and sightseeing at Crater Lake
This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we discuss hiking, biking and sightseeing options at Oregon's lone national park.
27 min
205
An Oregon landscape painter on capturing stilln...
On the latest episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, artist Yong Hong Zhong talks about how he pivoted from a career in animation to becoming a renowned watercolors painter. We talked about his method, how people can pick up a paintbrush and start capt...
31 min
206
Oregon's redwoods deserve your respect
Most people head to the spectacular redwood groves of northern California, passing by the beautiful, but admittedly smaller, redwoods on the south Oregon coast.We defend our state's honor and discuss what those trees are like, why you should vi...
20 min
207
Meet the artist behind Oregon's spectacular 'Ci...
This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we connect with the artist who leads the “Circles in the Sand,” events on the southern Oregon coast.You're going to want to listen to this one twice. The artist, Denny Dyke, drops wisdom left and right. ...
25 min
208
How to plan your outdoor adventures during wild...
This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we discuss what you should know before planning a trip during Oregon's wildfire season. Reporter Kale Williams also breaks down how Oregon's changing climate is contributing to the state's wildfir...
28 min
209
Eagle Creek is finally back open to hikers (again)
After a brief reopening was spoiled by landslides earlier this year, the Eagle Creek Trail has reopened once again, giving many hikers their first taste of the Columbia River Gorge trail since the Eagle Creek fire closed it in 2017.
24 min
210
How to enjoy Olympic National Park's trails, be...
This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we discuss how to enjoy Olympic National Park: from the coastline to the forest, lodges to campgrounds.
23 min
211
What search & rescue personnel want you to know...
This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we're joined by two search & rescue volunteers who share what they want hikers to know before hitting the trail and what hikers should do if they require a rescue, among other topics.
29 min
212
A Klamath teacher's quest to climb Washington's...
This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we connect with Jason Hardrath, an Oregon teacher who's trying to climb the 100 mountains on Washington's Bulger List... in 50 days.
30 min
213
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
214
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
215
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
216
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
217
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
218
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
219
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
220
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
221
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
222
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
223
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
224
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
225
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