Peak Northwest

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

Peak Northwest episodes

April 20, 2023How to take a car-free trip to Mount Hood
Love hanging out at Mount Hood, but hate driving up to the mountain? Do we have some good news for you.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to Lizzy Acker, trending news reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive, who recently wrote about the experience of travelling by bus to Oregon’s tallest mountain.
The latest in Acker’s car-free travel series once again features her 3-year-old daughter, Nona, who joined along for snowy walks, skiing and snacking along the way. Taking the bus to Mt. Hood is one thing, but bringing along a toddler is a whole other adventure.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
The bus routes that lead from Portland up to Mount Hood.
How difficult was taking public transportation up the mountain?
An afternoon with Nona in Government Camp.
The Summit Ski Area is not only more accessible, but cheaper and less crowded than the other Mount Hood ski resorts.

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30 min
April 13, 2023Little lakes are hiding in the Clatsop State Forest
Forget everything that comes to mind when you think about “a day at the lake” – these spots aren’t it.
That doesn’t mean the little lakes of the Clatsop State Forest, found on the north end of Oregon’s Coast Range, aren’t worth checking out. Despite lacking amenities and featuring little in the way of actual water, they nonetheless make interesting attractions for year-round hiking between Portland and the coast.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk about where and how to find spots like Soapstone Lake and Spruce Run Lake, places that may offer little to fishers, boaters and sunbathers, and instead exist as quiet little attractions tucked into the timberlands.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Where do you find this concentration of little lakes?
Bloom Lake is easily accessible, right off the highway.
Lost Lake might be the only spot here that can rightfully be considered a “lake”.
At Soapstone Lake you’ll likely see more newts than people.
To get to Spruce Run Lake, you need to tackle a steep little trail through the timberlands.

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
-- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor

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24 min
April 06, 2023My Epic Adventure: How to hike the Wildwood Trail in a single day
Hiking the entirety of the Wildwood Trail is a classic Portland bucket list item, and something many people accomplish – just not in one day.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to two local hikers who took on the famous 30-mile trail in Forest Park, with tips and words of caution for anybody else who feels up to the challenge.
The hikers, Rachel Dumont and Noelle Crombie, who is the enterprise reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive, said the adventure was difficult, but incredibly rewarding. And as nice as the scenery was, the real reward was sharing the challenge together, they said.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Why Rachel and Noelle decided to day hike the Wildwood Trail.
How they prepared (or didn’t prepare) for the big hike.
Their mood while hiking was nice and carefree – until it wasn’t.
What advice would they give hikers looking to follow in their footsteps?

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

-- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor

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29 min
March 30, 2023Revisiting the artist behind the Circles in the Sand on the Oregon coast
Programming note: This is a rebroadcast of an excellent episode from July, 2021. Be sure to visit the Circles in the Sand Labyrinths this year.

Denny Dyke’s elaborate sand drawings are a sight to behold. But to experience the labyrinths for yourself is an entirely different experience.
Dyke has since 2011 been drawing the labyrinths into low-tide Oregon beaches, and his Circles in the Sand project really took off in 2015, when he started working on it full-time. This past year he’s seen more people than ever show up at his southern Oregon events, or “draws,” estimating upwards of 400 people each day.

For Dyke, a religious practitioner, his “dreamfields” are more than interesting attractions, however. They’re deeply spiritual creations that offer real healing to those who walk them.

This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we catch up with Dyke about his project.

Some highlights:
Dyke describes the labyrinths and provides a visual of what they look like.
He shares how he got started creating labyrinths.
He details how he and his artists create the designs.
Dyke explains why Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint in Bandon became his go-to spot for drawing labyrinths.
He describes how he contends with beach conditions.
He explains that Circles in the Sand is more than a neat attraction: It’s an attempt to spread love, joy, peace and harmony — and offer real healing to people who visit.
Jamie and Jim give listeners the lowdown on other things to do in Bandon.

View the full Circles in the Sand schedule at sandypathbandon.com.

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28 min
March 23, 2023Overlooked attractions of the north Oregon coast
Traveling to the coast this spring, but tired of the same attractions? We have you covered.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we’re headed back to the north Oregon coast to explore some overlooked attractions, just in time for spring break.
There’s nothing wrong with Cannon Beach and the Tillamook Creamery, but have you seen the spectacular beauty of Niagara Falls? Stood beneath the Rockaway Big Tree? Spied upon elk at Jewell Meadows?
If you’re itching to try something new, you’ve come to the right place. There’s a lot more to see on the north coast than rocks shaped like haystacks.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Oregon’s Coast Range is full of spectacular waterfalls.
Where to find the coast’s biggest trees (and stumps)
The Fort to Sea Trail is one of the best day hikes on the Oregon coast.
Spring break may be your last best chance to see elk at Jewell Meadows.
One state park offers three different environments to explore.

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
-- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor

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25 min
March 16, 2023Breaking down barriers for skiers with disabilities
For some skiers, it’s not as easy as heading up to the mountain, strapping on a pair of skis and hitting the slopes.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we speak with Carl Burnett, an adaptive ski racer who has been working with Oregon Adaptive Sports, a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking down the barriers faced by athletes with physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities.
In winter, the organization heads to three Oregon ski areas to give people access to specialized equipment and training that might be otherwise be difficult to access. In summer, they do the same thing on cycling, hiking and mountain bike trails in central Oregon.
According to Burnett, the mission is not just about helping skiers with disabilities, but showing the rest of the community what’s possible.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
What are the different barriers faced by skiers with disabilities?
Gaining access to the outdoors can be a profound experience for those who might find it difficult to get there.
How do you teach somebody who’s new to a sit ski?
Opening up the mountain to skiers of all abilities can be inspirational for the whole community.

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
-- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor

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22 min
March 09, 2023Snowshoeing on Mt. Baker and exploring Bellingham
Snowshoeing is one of the best ways to get out and active during the winter, especially for those who don’t ski or snowboard regularly. For co-host Vickie Connor, the activity seemed like the perfect opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in the winter, especially as someone who is wary of knee injuries, after an ACL tear years ago.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, Vickie chats with co-host Jamie Hale about her first snowshoeing experience on Mt. Baker, as well as the rest of her roadtrip there.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Vickie talks about snowshoe rentals and logistics.
Bellingham is a great roadtrip stopping point if you’re driving from Portland or Seattle.
Upper Lodge to Artist Point trail near Mt. Baker Ski Area is a great introductory, yet heart-pumping trail for first-timers.
Where to eat and stay around Mt. Baker.

Subscribe to Peak Northwest anywhere you listen to podcasts.
-- Vickie Connor and Jamie Hale

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27 min
March 02, 2023My Epic Adventure: Nordic skiing through the Methow Valley Trail system
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest podcast, we catch up with former host, Jim Ryan. Jim takes us through his nordic ski trip on the Methow Valley trail system, near Winthrop, Washington, for the latest installment of My Epic Adventure, a sub-series of the podcast.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
You can spend the night on trail in reservable huts.
How to get a trail pass for your trip.

Subscribe to Peak Northwest anywhere you listen to podcasts.
-- Vickie Connor and Jamie Hale

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27 min
February 23, 2023Go for a sled dog ride at Mt. Bachelor in Bend
What’s better than spending a snow day with a pack of happy pups?
Visitors to central Oregon’s Mt. Bachelor can have that experience by booking a sled dog ride with Oregon Trail of Dreams, an organization run by professional mushers in Bend.
Currently run by Rachael Scdoris, the first legally blind person to finish the Iditarod, the one-hour rides offer a brief introduction into the fascinating world of dog sledding. Hop in a sled and you can enjoy some time with a few of her nearly 100 Alaskan huskies, who clearly love what they do.
Whether you’ve always dreamed of this kind of adventure, or simply enjoy finding new ways to get outside in the winter, the dog sled rides are guaranteed fun in central Oregon.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
What exactly happens on these dog sled rides?
What kind of dogs pull the sleds?
What happens when you get to drive the sled.
Oregon Trail of Dreams owner Rachel Scdoris has a fascinating story.

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
-- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor

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25 min
February 16, 2023How to prepare for the annular solar eclipse
An annular solar eclipse is crossing Oregon this fall, and whether you’re an eclipse-head or a casual stargazer, you’ll probably want to go check it out.
The eclipse isn’t happening until Oct. 14, but if you want to see it, you’d do well to start planning now. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk all about how to prepare for the big cosmic event.
Because while the annual solar eclipse won’t be quite as awesome as the total solar eclipse from 2017, it will still be a spectacular sight to behold, creating a “ring of fire” in the sky above Oregon.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
What is an annular solar eclipse?
When and where is the eclipse happening?
Are there any particularly good places in Oregon to see it?
When will the next eclipse come to Oregon?

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
-- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor

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22 min