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 Northwest
Take a spring break road trip down Oregon 47
You can always head out to the Oregon coast for spring break, but if you’re hoping to avoid the crush of crowds, consider sticking around the Willamette Valley…
- Peak Northwest
Take a trip to Oregon’s most overlooked state parks
Oregon’s state parks saw more visitors than ever in 2021, but not all parks were packed with people. Among the least-visited state park sites – generally tiny…
- Peak Northwest
Turning a skijoring skeptic into a believer
This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we connect with national skijoring champion Jessica Pulliam, who tells us all about the thrilling sport — in which…
- Peak Northwest
Where to play, eat and sleep on Mount Hood this winter
Huge crowds of people flock to Mount Hood’s ski areas and sno-parks on beautiful weekends, enjoy the day and drive right back home — only to find themselves…
- Peak Northwest
A winter trip to Seaside
Want to check out Seaside, but trying to avoid the crowds? A winter trip is a perfect way to explore all the north Oregon coast town has to offer. On the…
- Peak Northwest
How to go Dungeness crabbing for the first time on the Oregon coast
Crabbing is a Pacific Northwest pastime. We gave it a shot late last year, heading out onto Nehalem Bay for a video shoot with an expert from Kelly’s Brighton…
- Peak Northwest
How to play in the snow without spending all your cash on downhill skiing, snowboarding
Downhill skiing is one popular way to experience the majesty of the mountains, come wintertime. But there are plenty of other options for those seeking a…
- Peak Northwest
Enjoying the brews and views of Cascade Locks
This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we discuss the beer, cider and wine scene in Cascade Locks — as well as ways to enjoy the outdoors in and around the…
- Peak Northwest
Northwest Travel Guide 2022
We dig into this year's Northwest Travel Guide and talk about some ideas for the year ahead, from small towns to big outdoor adventures. Spoiler alert: There…
- Peak Northwest
What to wear for a winter adventure in the Pacific Northwest
Whether you're hiking through a rainy forest, going skiing or exploring the high desert this winter, it's important to dress properly for the conditions. We…
Peak NorthwestDense forests of northwest Oregon are a rainy respite in winter
If you're looking for a place to get outside during the dark, rainy days of Oregon winter, look no further than the dense rainforests that surround us…
Peak NorthwestDiving into the Portland dining scene: Peak Northwest podcast
The Peak Northwest podcast normally heads to the great outdoors, but this week we’re keeping it inside for a chat with dining critic Michael Russell about his…
- Peak Northwest
Previewing Oregon’s ski season
It’s not quite winter — just yet, at least. But it is ski season. And snow is beginning to pile up in the mountains. In this week’s episode of the Peak…
- Peak Northwest
Getting into peak holiday spirit
Whether it’s cutting down and decorating a tree, preparing festive dishes for family and friends, or simply spending time with loved ones, the holiday season…
- Peak Northwest
Camp in comfort at Oregon State Park cabins and yurts
If you enjoy camping but don’t love sleeping on the ground, there’s a nifty solution at some of Oregon’s most popular state parks. In addition to the tent and…
- Peak Northwest
Thanksgiving break
We're taking a week off for Thanksgiving, but we'll be back next week with more Pacific Northwest adventures. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out…
- Peak Northwest
Touring the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway
The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway is a stunning destination in every season, with Cascade Mountain views, beautiful lakes and outdoor adventures right off the…
- Peak Northwest
Santiam Pass and McKenzie Pass make one super scenic loop
The Santiam Pass-McKenzie Pass Scenic Byway is one super scenic loop drive, taking you across two mountain passes, past beautiful waterfalls and forested…
- Peak Northwest
Hiking, climbing and sightseeing at Smith Rock
On this week's episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we discuss why fall is our favorite time to visit central Oregon's Smith Rock State Park. See…
- Peak Northwest
Exploring the otherworldly Oregon Dunes, just in time for "Dune"
What better way to celebrate the release of the new film adaptation of "Dune" than by exploring the landscape that inspired the sci-fi epic in the first place…
- Peak Northwest
Exploring the Wilson River Trail, a quiet Coast Range gem:
This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we discuss how to day hike and backpack the Wilson River Trail in the Tillamook State Forest. It's a gem, alright. See…
- Peak Northwest
How to be prepared for when the Big One hits
Marilyn Bishop, founder of Cascadia Quake Kits, discusses what Pacific Northwest residents should do to be prepared for the Big One on this week's episode of…
- Peak Northwest
Foraging for mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest
It's mushroom season in the Pacific Northwest! To help you in your fungal foraging, we talk to herbalist and experienced forager Chris Smaka about what to look…
- Peak Northwest
Plan a fall road trip on Oregon's scenic byways
This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we discuss Oregon's scenic byways: driving routes that snake their way through every beautiful nook and cranny of the…
- Peak Northwest
Finding, and appreciating, Oregon's covered bridges
Did you know Oregon has dozens of covered bridges (54) all over the state? On the latest episode of Peak Northwest, Jamie Hale and Jim Ryan discuss the simple…
- Peak Northwest
Oregon's least and most popular state parks in 2020
Which state parks saw the most visitors last year, and which saw the least? We break down the numbers from a truly strange year that saw state park visitation…
- Peak Northwest
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…
- Peak Northwest
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…
- Peak Northwest
How to explore the Lower Rogue River in southwest Oregon
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…
- Peak Northwest
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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy…
- Peak Northwest
An Oregon landscape painter on capturing stillness in the wild
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…
- Peak Northwest
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…
- Peak Northwest
Meet the artist behind Oregon's spectacular 'Circles in the Sand'
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…
- Peak Northwest
How to plan your outdoor adventures during wildfire season
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…
- Peak Northwest
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…
- Peak Northwest
How to enjoy Olympic National Park's trails, beaches, campsites and lodges
This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we discuss how to enjoy Olympic National Park: from the coastline to the forest, lodges to campgrounds. See…
- Peak Northwest
What search & rescue personnel want you to know before hitting the trail
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…
- Peak Northwest
A Klamath teacher's quest to climb Washington's 100 tallest mountains
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…
- Peak Northwest
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…
- Peak Northwest
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…
Peak Northwest100 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…
Peak NorthwestWhere to hike and visit on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge
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…
Peak NorthwestThe best places to visit, eat and drink in Oregon's capital city
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…
Peak NorthwestExploring 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…
Peak NorthwestExploring Silver Falls’ waterfall wonderland on the Trail of Ten Falls
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…
Peak NorthwestHow nature built the Pacific Northwest we love to explore
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…
Peak NorthwestHow 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…
Peak NorthwestMake 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…
Peak NorthwestHelp scientists by taking snow measurements on your next backcountry trip
Meet Dave Hill and Nina Aragon, two Oregon State University researchers behind the Community Snow Observations project, which enables backcountry users, such…
Peak Northwest5 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 NorthwestPlanning (but not actually taking) our dream vacations
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…
Peak NorthwestShoulder season travel shows a different side of the Pacific Northwest
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…
Peak NorthwestThe keepers of Oregon's hiking trails (and how you can help)
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…
Peak NorthwestHow 2 campers got stranded in the Oregon mountains and survived
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…
Peak NorthwestWatching 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…
Peak NorthwestHow 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…
Peak NorthwestCannon Beach a lively winter destination, despite COVID complications
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…
Peak NorthwestCannon Beach a lively winter destination, despite COVID complications
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…
Peak NorthwestSpotting 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…
Peak NorthwestHow 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…