It’s not just the rain that’s been putting a damper on spring adventures in Oregon – record gas prices have also been making us rethink our weekend day trips to the coast or Columbia Gorge.

Not content to simply complain about what we’re paying at the pump, on this week’s episode of Peak Northwest we tick off some local excursions around the Portland area, including close-in hiking trails and area towns to explore.

If a lengthy day trip is too rich for your taste, you can always take the opportunity to check out some local destinations that you might have overlooked.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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With waterfalls, hot springs and crystal-clear lakes, the scenery on the McKenzie River Trail is among the very best in Oregon.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk all about the 26.4-mile hiking trail, found in Oregon’s central Cascade Mountains east of Eugene, and all there is to see along the way.

Whether you’re hoping to tackle the whole trail this summer or checking out the day hikes this fall, there’s a lot to enjoy and appreciate about the trail.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Oftentimes, stereotypes portray outdoor adventurers to look a certain way or have a specific background. But access to the outdoors is meant for everyone to enjoy, even if you didn’t grow up exploring all corners of the forest. Even if summiting mountains at record speeds isn’t your thing. For so many, just getting outside and having a good time is a huge accomplishment.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk with Summer Michaud-Skog, founder of Fat Girls Hiking movement and author of “Fat Girls Hiking: An Inclusive Guide to Getting Outdoors at Any Size or Ability.”

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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One of the best parts about enjoying our great outdoors is that you can make your time as relaxed or as intense as you wish. You can hike a nice trail to see tall, awe-inspiring waterfalls. You can enjoy some calm, flat waters atop a kayak. Or you can combine the two, take the risk factor up tenfold and paddle your sit-in kayak down a 100-foot tall waterfall (after a lot of training and preparation, of course).

Waterfall kayaking is a niche sport that takes kayakers years of whitewater experience to work toward.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk with Michael Jonsson, a waterfall kayaker we spotted at Eagle Creek as he took on Punchbowl Falls and more with two friends.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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You may have seen the whimsical bear statues placed around downtown Grants Pass in the summer, but have you ever wondered where they go to hibernate?

Their off-season home, a place called the Bear Hotel, is one of the most fascinating under-the-radar attractions in southern Oregon, offering a fun, family-friendly place to spend an afternoon.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to Melissa Vierra, marketing manager of Evergreen Federal Bank – which owns and operates the Bear Hotel – to find out more about the colorful attraction.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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The Columbia River Gorge is a staple for Pacific Northwest adventures. From awe-inspiring trail views, to waterfalls and wildflowers, the gorge is a must-see destination, especially with its close proximity to Portland.

Visitors this summer, however, will need to do an extra layer of research. It’s a new world in the Gorge during peak hiking season, and chances are you’ll need a permit -- and a plan -- ahead of time.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Peak Northwest is undergoing some change this spring, with a brand new co-host just in time for the busy travel season.

Replacing our original co-host, Jim Ryan – who recently left for Seattle – is Vickie Connor, a videographer for The Oregonian/OregonLive who also works on the Peak Northwest video series.

On this week’s episode, we get to know all about Vickie’s background, her interests and what kinds of adventures she’s excited to tackle this year. As a recent transplant to the Pacific Northwest, there’s a lot for her to see.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Before it was a podcast — or had a name at all — Peak Northwest was Jim Ryan’s offbeat brainchild.

Jim, at the time a breaking news reporter, pitched Oregonian/OregonLive editors a video series about how to set out on signature Oregon adventures. The concept stuck — kind of.

The news organization launched the Peak Northwest video series, then the podcast, in fall 2019.

Video shoots have since taken Jim to the top of Oregon’s tallest mountain, into the waters of the Pacific Ocean and along all 30.2 miles of Portland’s Wildwood Trail. The podcast has given him a chance to talk with an array of passionate guests and share some of our region’s many wonders.

But this is Jim’s last episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, as he started a new job Monday as an editor for The Seattle Times. Fear not, Peak Northwest is continuing on with a new co-host and more adventures.

In his final episode, Jim shares some of his favorite Oregon places, along with memories from his time in Portland and sentiments about Peak Northwest.

Some highlights:

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Long weekends are cause for celebration — and a prime time for road trips.

While we hardly shy away from covering some serious ground during standard two-day weekends, an extra day off gives us an opportunity to set our sights a bit farther afield.

And with Memorial Day weekend on the not-too-distant horizon, we decided to dedicate this episode of the Peak Northwest podcast to a collection of top-notch destinations that require a bit more driving than many would like to cram into a two-day weekend.

Some highlights:

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There’s no shortage of beautiful beaches on the Oregon coast – especially on the southern coast, home to some of the best sands in the state.

Running roughly from Reedsport to the Oregon-California border, the southern Oregon coast features sweeping sand dunes, towering cliffs, tide pools and incredible ocean views. Picking favorites on this stretch of coastline is a tall order.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we do our best to play favorites, pulling out three beaches that stand out above the rest, and picking some of the southern coast’s best non-beach attractions for good measure.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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