Peak Northwest

By The Oregonian/OregonLiveSociety & Culture Sports Places & Travel Wilderness

Peak Northwest episodes

June 13, 2024My 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 over the course of one or two days. While it might seem like a daunting ride, with enough preparation and training, the event can be extremely rewarding and confidence-building.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest podcast, we hear from Jenna Phillips, a.k.a Jenna Bikes, about her time participating in and training for Seattle to Portland. This episode is the latest installment of My Epic Adventure, a sub-series of the podcast.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
The Seattle to Portland route has many beautiful and awe-inspiring views.
How to make the transition from bike commuting to endurance riding.
What supports are available throughout Seattle to Portland.
How Jenna fueled for the long ride.
Subscribe to Peak Northwest anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
28 min
June 06, 2024A 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 biking through towns or traveling through the backcountry.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, co-host Vickie Connor recounts her first and recent bike packing trip and all the reasons she loves this new hobby.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
What is needed to go bike packing?
How you can pack for a one-nighter (spoiler alert: you can pack more on your bike than you might think).
An example of an introductory trip within an hour of Portland.
Why bike packing might be just a little bit more enjoyable than backpacking.
Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
33 min
May 30, 2024Making 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 Northwest, we speak with Mercy M’fon, founder and co-director of Portland-based nonprofit, which is actively working with BIPOC and LGBTQ communities to get greater representation outdoors.
M’fon takes us through the origins of Wild Diversity and explains how the organization is going far beyond just hosting hikes, making an impact on the wider outdoors scene in the Pacific Northwest.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
How and when did Wild Diversity start?
Wild Diversity hots more than just hikes.
How the organization is influencing the greater outdoors scene in the Northwest.
What the future of Wild Diversity might look like.

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
30 min
May 23, 2024How 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 people to love it with.
One of the most popular attractions in Oregon, the eight-mile stretch of the Columbia River Gorge is known for its stunning scenery and big crowds, which swell every spring and summer.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we break down everything you need to know to visit, from avoiding peak times to securing the necessary permits.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Where exactly is the Waterfall Corridor?
Everything you need to know about the Multnomah Falls permits.
How to avoid the summer crowds.
Some of our favorite waterfall hikes in the corridor.

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 min
May 16, 2024Perfect 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 beautiful day trips, with the ocean, mountains, forest, rivers and desert all found within a three-hour radius. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive into a few great options for this summer.
Day trips prove that you don’t need a big budget or lengthy itinerary to enjoy an adventure –you don’t even need a car. As you make your summer vacation plans, consider these local excursions that make vacation quick, easy and (relatively) stress free.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
The key to dealing with Cannon Beach traffic jams? Go by bus.
Breitenbush Hot Springs is a perfect place to unwind for the day.
Day hikes big and small are found in the Tillamook State Forest.
You’ll never see everything on the Fruit Loop in one day, but that’s probably for the best.

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
31 min
May 09, 2024What 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 with Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Astoria, Seaside and Pacific City.
That could be even more reason to go.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we take a weekend trip to Rockaway Beach to discover all the overlooked destination has to offer. With corn dogs, ice cream, fried fish and kitschy shops, it definitely has a classic beach town vibe, while the beaches themselves can be expansive, quiet and beautiful.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
What’s the deal with Rockaway Beach anyway?
Why Pronto Pup is corn dog church.
Exploring the many beach access points.
Skip the rental for a hotel room with a kitchen, balcony and ocean-facing hot tub.

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
48 min
May 02, 20244 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 Northwest, we dive back through time to talk about four places around the state that were once considered for national park status – and why they weren’t ultimately picked.
We also discuss whether or not the National Park Service should reconsider. Do Oregon’s beautiful natural landmarks deserve more respect? Or would it be a terrible idea?
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
A national park at Hells Canyon? Would it be worth it?
Why Oregon’s tallest mountain seems like a natural pick.
An Oregon Coast national park proposal captured the public’s imagination.
How the National Park Service did Silver Falls dirty.

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
30 min
April 25, 2024Why 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 since time immemorial, is a great place to spend the day.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we go out exploring Oregon City, a perfect day trip close to Portland, especially in the spring and summer when the town is buzzing and blooming with activity.
It might be the city’s cultural significance and history that’s so appealing. Or it could be the good food scene, which always makes a day trip more enjoyable. Maybe it’s just the charming Municipal Elevator, which takes pedestrians to the upper part of town.
Listen along and then go find out for yourself what makes Oregon City so special.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Jamie explains why Oregon City has drawn him over the years.
Coffee, a walk and a ride in the Municipal Elevator.
Why the McLoughlin Promenade is the best thing in town.
Exploring the many riverside parks in Oregon City and West Linn.

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
34 min
April 18, 2024Returning 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 years it remained shuttered, leaving hikers to find other trails to climb.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, a few months after the state park’s big reopening, we return to the classic Coast Range adventure, mounting the saddle and taking in the panoramic views.
Those returning to Saddle Mounain will find new features, some big changes and the same beautiful scenery that made this spot so popular in the first place.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Vickie talks about what drew her to Saddle Mountain this spring.
What’s new now that the park is back open?
What it’s like to hike to the top of Saddle Mountain.
Why this is a great trail for the beginning of spring.

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
24 min
April 11, 2024What 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 attractions, but they remain among the most popular destinations in the state. For people more apt to hike the Cascades or explore the coast, is there any appeal?
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we take a trip to Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde to find out, exploring all the non-gambling aspects of the Coast Range attraction.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Jamie explains why he has stayed away from casinos – and why he visited this one.
Food and drink are a big draw at Spirit Mountain.
Searching for all the best places to sit and read in the casino.
Other nearby attractions make Spirit Mountain a good home base.
-- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
40 min