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 NorthwestWhat will it take to turn an old rail line into the 86-mile Salmonberry Trail?
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…
Peak NorthwestHow 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…
Peak NorthwestThe 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…
Peak NorthwestBuilding the ultimate adventure vehicle
Many outdoor enthusiasts have dreamed of building their ultimate adventure vehicles— the type of rigs you can use to get where you’re going and sleep…
Peak NorthwestOut on your own: How to travel solo
Traveling with friends and family is fun, but there’s something special about enjoying the Pacific Northwest on your own. On this week’s episode of Peak…
Peak NorthwestUtah monolith conjures memory of Alvord Desert designs
A mysterious monolith placed in — and later removed from — the Utah desert captivated the country this fall. And while we were following the twists and turns…
Peak NorthwestWhere to find a perfect fir for the holidays? Try a national forest
Why pay top dollar for a perfect Christmas tree when you can pay a nominal fee, tromp off into the woods and cut down your own? While you might not walk away…
Peak Northwest16 Columbia River Gorge waterfalls in 1 day
Back before the COVID-19 pandemic set in here in Oregon, Peak Northwest co-host Jim Ryan schemed up a mission: try to see as many Columbia River Gorge…
Peak NorthwestStaying active during the dreary days of a Northwest winter
As the Northwest weather turns dreary, we're looking for ways to stay active through the winter — especially this year, when we're staying close to home. We'll…
Peak NorthwestHiking the Tillamook Burn, 70 years after the wildfires
As the smoke clears on yet another devastating wildfire season in Oregon, questions naturally begin to arise: How bad is it? When can we go back? How long will…
Peak NorthwestWhat will Oregon’s ski season look like during the pandemic?
On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we speak with Dave Tragethon from Mt. Hood Meadows about what precautions the ski resort has made amid…
Peak NorthwestHiking around Camas, a surprising suburban escape
This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we make the case for spending that time hiking in Camas — the small suburban town in southwest Washington. And to help…
Peak NorthwestOregon’s spookiest travel destinations
On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we’re highlighting some of the spookiest travel destinations in Oregon, whether you’re planning a…
Peak NorthwestGetting hooked on fly fishing
Oregon’s rivers and lakes hold endless appeal, beckoning enthusiasts of all kinds to their chilly waters. There are the swimmers and boaters, the kayakers and…
Peak NorthwestMeet the Oregon runner who made record time on the PCT this summer
Seven days, 19 hours, 23 minutes. That’s how long it took Eugene resident Emily Halnon to run the length of Oregon, from south to north, on the famed Pacific…
Peak NorthwestThe best things to do in Astoria (even now)
Head to the mouth of the Columbia River, where the mightiest river in the American West meets the biggest ocean on the planet, and you’ll find one of the…
Peak Northwest6 places to see Oregon's finest fall color
Oregon is an evergreen state, known for its iconic Douglas-firs and their coniferous brethren. But come autumn, the state’s deciduous trees can also put on…
Peak NorthwestMeet the Portland runner who set the fastest time around Mount Rainier
The Wonderland Trail circles Mount Rainier, rising and falling through jaw-dropping, arduous terrain over the course of roughly 90 miles. For most, the trip is…
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A message from Jamie and Jim
With wildfires still burning across the Northwest, we're putting some of the episodes we'd already recorded on the shelf. Instead, we talked a little this week…
Peak Northwest4 day trips to 4 different Oregon landscapes
On a recent week of vacation, Jamie took four day trips to four different ecosystems within three hours of Portland, finding a safe way to visit several…
Peak NorthwestClimbing 3 mountains on an Oregon Cascades road trip
This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, Jim gives us the lowdown on his adventure climbing three of Oregon’s beautiful mountains in three days. You can…
Peak NorthwestWashington's volcanoes: What to do at Mount Adams, Rainier, St. Helens
Mount Hood towers over Portland, but these other volcanic peaks aren't all that far, and they have a lot to offer. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and…
Peak NorthwestBackpacking Mount Hood's Timberline Trail
The Timberline Trail is one of Oregon’s most iconic footpaths. It circumnavigates Mount Hood over roughly 40 miles, traveling through forests, across rivers…
Peak NorthwestFind a lake to beat the heat
Hot summer weather has a way of convincing you to ditch your worldly obligations with a single destination in mind: one of Oregon’s stunning lakes. Our…
Peak NorthwestBackpacking 101
While the rewards of backpacking abound, it can be difficult to get started — and plan your first trips. This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we cover some…
Peak NorthwestHow to take better pictures in nature
The Pacific Northwest is home to plenty of awesome scenes of natural beauty, but capturing that moment in an awesome photo requires a little more effort. Here…
Peak NorthwestCamping 101
This episode of the Peak Northwest podcast is all about planning and packing for your next overnight outdoor excursion. We've got tips for beginners and…
Peak NorthwestGet back in hiking shape after a spring inside
After months of sticking close to home, hikers in the Pacific Northwest are finally getting back out on the trail. But for those of us who have become a little…
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Where to escape the crowds at popular outdoor areas in Oregon
It can be hard to escape crowds in a normal year, let alone a time when more people than ever are sticking close to home and in search of an escape into…
Peak NorthwestHow to spice up your camp cooking
It’s high time to dial in your camp cooking setup. We aren’t exactly experts in this department. So we enlisted the help of Samantha Bakall, a freelance food…
Peak NorthwestHeaded back outside? Our recommendations for where to go
Summer is only days away, and many outdoor spaces have reopened amid the coronavirus crisis.But the question remains: Where should I go? This week on the Peak…
- Peak Northwest
How to plan a day trip during the coronavirus outbreak
Many outdoor areas throughout the region have reopened after being closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. But just because your favorite outdoor area is…
- Peak Northwest
Tips for hitting the trail during the coronavirus outbreak
As the coronavirus crisis continues, closures and restrictions remain in place for many outdoor areas across the region. On this week’s episode of the Peak…
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Outdoor spaces are slowly reopening. Now what?
Trails, parks and boat ramps are slowly reopening in Oregon as we inch our way closer to summer. But with the coronavirus pandemic ongoing, the threat of…
Peak NorthwestCampfire stories: A mountain climbing misadventure and cross-country road trip
In the finale of our campfire stories, producer Dave Killen shares the tale of a mountain climbing misadventure and cross-country road trip. Then, we share a…
Peak NorthwestCampfire stories: Our spookiest tales
We're focusing on tales of spooky adventures on this week’s Peak Northwest podcast episode — the latest in our series of campfire tales. Want to submit an…
Peak NorthwestCampfire stories: Your memorable animal encounters
We asked for your stories from the outdoors. And you delivered, responding with some darn good ones. So this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast — the…
Peak NorthwestCampfire stories: Adventures that pushed us to our limits
We all like to share the best moments from our outdoor adventures, but sometimes our most difficult experiences are the most rewarding. On this week’s episode…
Peak NorthwestCampfire stories: Our unforgettable animal encounters
Whether it’s a bear sighting, a critter who gets too close or a feisty creature who wants you to scram, we all have stories about memorable contacts with…
Peak NorthwestCampfire stories: A climb takes an unexpected twist; a run-in with a sooty grouse
We’re breaking out some of our favorite campfire stories, and and we want to hear yours! If you’re interested in sharing a story from a past adventure, leave a…
Peak NorthwestHow to stay active while stuck inside
Spring has sprung in the Pacific Northwest, but our favorite outdoor spaces are presently sitting empty, as most of us stick close to home to help prevent the…
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The state of travel and recreation amid the coronavirus outbreak
The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has shaken up life as we know it, with thousands of people in the Northwest becoming sick and many more finding themselves…
Peak NorthwestTricks for traveling with kids
Traveling with kids can be a challenge, albeit one with great rewards.For this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talked to a panel of parents to…
Peak NorthwestOur guide to last-minute spring break road trips
Oregon’s spring break is fast approaching. And while lots of spring breakers have their plans set in stone, some others don’t. At least not yet. So this week…
Peak NorthwestA guide to Portland running, trails and races
The heartiest of runners pound the pavement year-round. But as spring approaches, the prospect of warmer, sunnier days is bound to beckon more runners to…
Peak NorthwestSome of Oregon's least popular parks are worth a visit
Oregon has a lot of extremely busy state parks, but it also has plenty of places that see few visitors at all. This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk…
Peak NorthwestOur favorite winter hikes in the Portland area
We discuss a few of our favorite winter options in and around Portland. We also shout out some Portland-area wildlife preserves that are worth a visit. Check…
Peak NorthwestChasing waterfalls in Oregon’s Coast Range
We head to the rainy Coast Range mountains to discover hidden waterfalls in the woods. See Jamie’s stories on Niagara Falls and Drift Creek Falls. Also check…
Peak NorthwestWhy Bend shines in the wintertime
Bend is a special place any time of year, but we’re particularly fond of Oregon’s high-desert hangout during the wintertime. Read Jamie’s 20 reasons to love…
Peak NorthwestPlaying in the snow: The everything-but-downhill-skiing edition
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 NorthwestHow yurts helped save Oregon parks
This week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast dives into the surprising history of yurts in Oregon — and why campers went nuts for them. Jamie and Jim are…
Peak NorthwestFinding the best fish, chips and chowder on the Oregon coast
The Oregon coast’s signature cuisine can be summarized in four words: fish, chips and chowder. We sit down with Michael Russell, the Oregonian/OregonLive’s…
Peak NorthwestLearn to embrace the rainy day hike
One of the best ways to get through Oregon’s rainy season is to embrace it. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk about the best places to go…
Peak NorthwestHow to plan your 2020 Northwest travels
The new year has only just begun, but it’s already high time to start making your 2020 travel plans around the Pacific Northwest. On this week’s Peak Northwest…
Peak NorthwestLooking back on a year of adventure
Jim and Jamie look back at their respective years of adventure and exploration. Amy Wang, The Oregonian/OregonLive’s newsletter editor and books columnist…
Peak NorthwestOregon hot springs beckon this winter
There are natural hot springs all over Oregon and the greater Pacific Northwest, from rustic mountain springs to high desert resorts. We talk with reporter…
Peak NorthwestSki season preview
This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we join The Oregonian/OregonLive's sports trending editor, Tim Brown, to discuss what skiers and snowboarders need to…
Peak NorthwestHood River’s heralded beer scene
Whether you’re looking for a funky farmhouse, barrel-aged Belgian or impeccable pub ale, Hood River’s breweries offer a pint for every palate. This week…
Peak NorthwestAdventures in the Alvord Desert
This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we’re talking all things Alvord Desert. The seasonally dry lakebed in the far southeastern corner of the state is…
Peak NorthwestIs Pendleton more than just a rodeo town?
Everybody knows Pendleton for its rodeo, blankets and whiskey, but you’d be doing the eastern Oregon town a disservice by not checking out all the rest it has…