Shows / Peak Northwest
Peak Northwest
Hosts Jamie Hale and Chiara Profenna take you to some of the greatest destinations in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
Episodes
Peak NorthwestLight-up kayaks, railroad hikes and more to do in Joseph
Just when you think you’ve seen and done everything in Northeast Oregon, you discover something new. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, Jamie recounts…
Peak Northwest8 low tide treasures on the Oregon coast
Summer low tides have arrived on the Oregon coast, uncovering a host of intertidal adventures. From tide pools to secret beaches, there are a lot of things to…
Peak NorthwestMy Epic Adventure: Cycling Seattle to Portland with Jenna Bikes
Seattle to Portland bike ride is one of the most anticipated cycling events in the region. Thousands of endurance riders gather to bike more than 200 miles…
Peak NorthwestA first-timer's guide to bike packing at an Oregon state park
Bike packing is the ultimate mix of cycling and camping. It’s also one of the best ways to explore Oregon, especially in the summer months, whether you’re…
Peak NorthwestMaking the outdoors more inclusive with Wild Diversity
How do you bring more diversity into the Pacific Northwest’s outdoor recreation areas? Try following the lead of Wild Diversity. On this week’s episode of Peak…
Peak NorthwestHow to explore Oregon’s famous Waterfall Corridor: Peak Northwest podcast
From the towering heights of Multnomah Falls to the delicate spray of Fairy Falls, there’s a lot to love about the Waterfall Corridor – and there are a lot of…
Peak NorthwestPerfect summer day trips around Oregon
Epic summer vacations are nice, but there’s something to be said about a simple day trip. Here in western Oregon, it’s incredibly easy to find any number of…
Peak NorthwestWhat to see, eat and do in Rockaway Beach
Rockaway Beach does not usually make the lists of best beach towns. Narrow it down to the north Oregon coast specifically, and it still faces stiff competition…
Peak Northwest4 Oregon landmarks that almost became national parks
As it stands, Oregon only has one full-fledged national park at Crater Lake. If things had gone differently, we could have had more. On this week’s episode of…
Peak NorthwestWhy Oregon City is such a good day trip destination
It should be no surprise that the historic town at the intersection of the Willamette and Clackamas rivers, where people have been gathering and celebrating…
Peak NorthwestReturning to Saddle Mountain, a Coast Range classic
Saddle Mountain has long been one of the most popular hikes in Oregon’s northern Coast Range, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, but for two…
Peak NorthwestWhat non-gamblers can do at Spirit Mountain Casino
If you’re not into gambling in any form, is there any reason to visit a casino? Oregon’s casinos may not have the same allure as our beautiful natural…
Peak NorthwestChanges in store for Mount Hood climbers this year: Peak Northwest podcast
New Mount Hood climbing permits are being implemented this year, in an effort to help educate the public about the risks associated with ascending the…
Peak NorthwestExploring Oregon’s new Dark Sky Sanctuary: Peak Northwest podcast
Oregon is now home to the largest Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world, but found in a remote corner of the state, some people may be left wondering how, exactly…
Peak NorthwestSnorkeling and scuba diving to an ancient Oregon forest
Oregon isn’t much of a snorkeling or scuba diving destination in the way people typically think of the activities: There are no tropical waters here, no…
Peak NorthwestExploring Portland’s hidden stair walks
You don’t have to be a stair freak to appreciate the many hidden stairways around Portland. The stairways lead through charming neighborhoods and beautiful…
Peak NorthwestThe best Oregon coast beaches for spring break
The Oregon coast is no Cabo San Lucas, but it is one of the best spring break destinations in the Pacific Northwest. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest…
Peak NorthwestThe coolest astronomical events coming in 2024
Is this the year you finally see the Perseid meteor shower? Will you be traveling to see the big solar eclipse? Can you catch a glimpse at one of the comets…
Peak NorthwestOregon events worth traveling to in 2024
There are few better ways to get to know Oregon than through the many different events that take place throughout our state every year. The Pendleton Round-Up…
Peak NorthwestWhy you should visit Seattle by train
Seattle, the biggest city in the Pacific Northwest, is a great local vacation option, boasting fascinating attractions, good food and outdoor recreation…
Peak NorthwestHow to celebrate Oregon’s 165th birthday
Happy birthday, Oregon! In case you weren’t aware, the state of Oregon is turning 165 years old this Feb. 14. To mark the occasion, this week’s episode of Peak…
Peak NorthwestThe joys and challenges of traveling alone
Solo travel can be one of the most joyful and rewarding experiences you can have, but it can also require a good dose of caution. On this week’s episode of the…
Peak NorthwestA beginner’s lessons in cross-country skiing
Trying something new can always be a bit scary, especially when that something new involves strapping boards to your feet and propelling yourself across the…
Peak NorthwestRevisiting camping in comfort at Oregon State Park cabins and yurts
Programming note: This is a rebroadcast of an excellent episode from December, 2021. If you enjoy camping but don’t love sleeping on the ground, there’s a…
Peak NorthwestWinter adventures in the Pacific Northwest
The snow is finally falling in the Cascade Mountains, meaning it’s high time to get going on those winter adventures. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest…
Peak NorthwestExploring Mount Hood’s beautiful Salmon River Trail
When you think about lush, Pacific Northwest forests, the image you conjure might as well be of the Salmon River Trail. The 14-mile hiking trail in the Mt…
Peak NorthwestWhere in the Northwest are we traveling in 2024?
Happy 2024! With New Year’s only days away, we’re already looking ahead to a busy year of Pacific Northwest travel. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest…
Peak NorthwestDoes Instagram lead to overcrowding in Oregon’s parks?
A common complaint on social media is that photo sharing apps like Instagram directly lead to the ruination of outdoor destinations by encouraging crowds of…
Peak NorthwestHow to find hidden glass floats on the Oregon coast
Every wanted to find hidden treasure on the beach? Finders Keepers is making that dream a reality. The year-round event hides decorative glass floats on the…
Peak NorthwestHow to cut down your own Christmas tree in Oregon
Christmas tree shopping in Oregon is often a bring-your-own-hand-saw occasion. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we eschew the store-bought experience…
Peak NorthwestMy Epic Adventure: Bike touring through the San Juan Islands
Is island hopping better by bike? On this week’s Peak Northwest podcast, we take a bike tour across the San Juan Islands, one of the most scenic destinations…
Peak NorthwestWhere to stay while exploring around Bend
Bend is one of Oregon’s best jumping off points for natural adventures, whether you’re skiing Mount Bachelor, climbing South Sister or biking around the high…
Peak NorthwestHow to make an herbal first aid kit
Making a first aid kit doesn’t have to mean buying tubes of pre-made ointments and salves, it can be as easy as harvesting plants from your own garden or from…
Peak NorthwestWhy Tumalo Falls is one of the best waterfall hikes in Oregon
Most people stick to the west side off the Cascades to find good waterfalls, but just across the mountains is another incredible waterfall hike at Tumalo…
Peak NorthwestHow to stay active inside during the rainy season
With the rainy season upon us, we’re headed inside. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk all about our favorite ways to stay active…
Peak NorthwestOld military batteries are a creepy attraction on the coast
It’s not every day you come across ruins in an Oregon forest. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we explore the old military batteries – concrete…
Peak NorthwestA road trip to Oregon’s haunted places
Do ghosts haunt Oregon? There’s only one way to find out. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to Samantha Swindler, videographer and features…
Peak NorthwestThe annular solar eclipse is this week. Revisiting how to prepare for it
Programming note: This is a rebroadcast with updates of an episode from February, 2023. An annular solar eclipse is crossing Oregon this fall, and whether…
Peak NorthwestWhere and when to find peak fall color in Oregon
Our green Pacific Northwest forests are about to turn shades of red, yellow and orange. Oregon’s remarkable fall color is best paired with striking scenery…
Peak NorthwestExploring caves at the Lava Beds National Monument
Ever wanted to explore a cave? Lava Beds is the place to be. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, our colleague Janet Eastman tells us about…
Peak NorthwestSearching for huckleberries on Huckleberry Mountain
Why aren’t there more huckleberries on Huckleberry Mountain? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, a recent trip to the Mt. Hood National Forest leads to…
Peak NorthwestHow to do a zigzag road trip through the Columbia Gorge
You’ve never toured the Columbia River Gorge quite like this. With dozens of waterfalls, small towns, hiking trails and viewpoints spread out across both…
Peak NorthwestA visitor’s guide to the Pacific Northwest
Those of us who live in the Pacific Northwest have probably fielded the same question from friends and family who fly into town to visit: I’ll be exploring the…
Peak NorthwestClimbing to the summit of South Sister
With snow melting and trails opening up, late summer is officially mountain climbing season in the Pacific Northwest. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest…
Peak NorthwestWhat it’s like to take a 100-mile bike ride with your dad
It’s always nice to bond with your parents, but how many people choose to bond over a 100-mile bike ride? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to…
Peak NorthwestTake a trip to the scenic Boardman Corridor on the Oregon coast
Looking for incredible coastal views? Make your way to the Boardman Corridor. Officially known as the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, the 12-mile…
Peak NorthwestHow to see the spectacular Perseid meteor shower
A big cosmic show is coming this weekend, and conditions should be good to see it from Oregon. The annual Perseid meteor shower, one of the most reliably…
Peak NorthwestWhere to find the hardest hikes around Portland
Looking to round out summer with a few good leg-burners? You’ve come to the right place. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive into some of the…
Peak NorthwestRevisiting Olympic National Park's trails, beaches, campsites and lodges
Programming note: This is a rebroadcast of an excellent episode from July, 2021. This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we discuss how to enjoy Olympic…
Peak NorthwestRevisiting what it's like to summit Mount St. Helens for the first time
Programming note: This is a rebroadcast of an excellent episode from September, 2022. The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens is considered the most destructive…
Peak NorthwestAn epic road trip from Portland to Alaska
There are tons of incredible road trips in the Pacific Northwest. You can loop the Olympic Peninsula, drive the length of the Oregon coast, cruise the Cascade…
Peak NorthwestOur favorite Oregon trips of 2023 (so far)
Between wildflower hikes, scenic bike rides, tree climbing and tide pooling, the first half of 2023 has been especially active for the Peak Northwest crew. On…
Peak NorthwestHow to explore Oregon’s wild Owyhee Canyonlands
If you want to get away and really get away, you might try escaping to Owyhee. Located along the Owyhee River on the far eastern side of Oregon, the Owyhee…
Peak NorthwestTree climbing is the latest adventure at Silver Falls State Park
Maybe you liked to climb trees as a kid, but this is a whole other level. A new company in Oregon is taking people high into the canopy of an old-growth…
Peak NorthwestSoak in the idyllic beauty of Breitenbush Hot Springs
Is there anything better than soaking in a hot spring, breathing in the cool mountain air? We don’t think so. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we gush…
Peak NorthwestSee the alien beauty of Oregon’s John Day Fossil Beds
If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to explore another planet, you don’t need to leave Earth to do it – or even Oregon. The John Day Fossil Beds of…
Peak NorthwestMy Epic Adventure: Jamie's first backpacking trip
First-time backpackers often like to go on shorter, easier trips to break their packs in. It can helpful to go with friends who have a little experience, or…
Peak NorthwestBiking Madras Mountain Views Scenic Bikeway
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…
Peak NorthwestHow to spend a weekend in Yachats
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…
Peak NorthwestThe joy of tide pooling on the Oregon coast
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…