Peak Northwest

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

Peak Northwest episodes

February 09, 2023How to find healing in nature
This episode first aired on January 14, 2021.
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 with Zoë Presley, a Portland-based psychotherapist and forest therapy guide, to help us understand how best to find healing in the great outdoors.
With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, political unrest and economic stress, there are a lot of good reasons to seek refuge in nature right now. And while outdoor recreation can be great for physical health, going outside can also help heal trauma, depression, anxiety and other mental or emotional health issues.
Accessing that kind of healing sometimes requires a completely different approach to spending time outside. Fortunately, there are plenty of places around the Pacific Northwest to practice.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Finding healing in nature requires coming in with the right intention, slowing down and being in the moment.
You don’t need an extraordinary view to experience awe in nature.
Forest therapy is a specific approach to finding healing in nature that’s helpful for many people.
Healing through nature can be even more important during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Forest bathing,” which doesn’t require going to a forest.

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-- Vickie Connor and Jamie Hale

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30 min
February 02, 2023My Epic Adventure: Cat snowboarding the backcountry at Anthony Lakes
The dream of snowboarding or skiing down fresh, untouched powder in the backcountry is well and alive at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort in northeast Oregon. All with the help of a powder cat.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest podcast, we hear from one of The Oregonian/Oregon Live’s sports editors, Tim Brown, as he recounts his first cat-snowboarding experience at Anthony Lakes, for the latest installment of My Epic Adventure, a sub-series of the podcast.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Tim explains what cat-skiing and snowboarding is and how it works.
Tim gives us a play-by-play of his first few runs down the mountain and what it felt like.
How to book at cat-skiing trip at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort. Hint: have a plan with your friends and a few open dates ready to go.
Food and drink recommendations from Tim near the resort.

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-- Vickie Connor and Jamie Hale

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29 min
January 26, 2023Exploring the treasures of the High Desert Museum
Those used to the lush rainforests of western Oregon might be tempted to think there’s little to see on the more arid side of the Cascade Mountains. The High Desert Museum is here to prove that notion wrong.
Located just south of Bend, the museum has spent the last 40 years introducing visitors to the nature, art and people of eastern Oregon.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we speak to Dana Whitelaw, executive director of the museum, about the permanent and rotating exhibitions, as well as the resident animals that make the museum so special.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
What can visitors expect to find at the High Desert Museum?
There are a lot of animals who call the museum home.
The museum won a prestigious award in 2021.
New exhibitions are coming to the museum all the time.

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-- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor

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21 min
January 19, 2023Exploring the backcountry of Silver Falls State Park
If you’ve only ever seen the waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park, you may be missing out.
While most visitors to Oregon’s waterfall wonderland are content to stick to the famous Trail of Ten Falls, there are also more than 35 miles of backcountry trails to explore, winding their way through the bulk of the 9,200-acre state park.
A day or overnight trip to the backcountry is an easy way to find solitude in one of Oregon’s busiest parks, whether you’re hiking, mountain biking or riding horseback. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we’ll take you to the trails, cabins and trees that make up this quiet adventure.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
The backcountry at Silver Falls is extensive, but considerably less explored than the main part of the park.
The Buck Mountain Loop is a great way to see a big chunk of the backcountry.
Cabins at Smith Creek Village are a nice alternative to the state park campground.
The Howard Creek Loop is an easy hike for those who want to dip their toes into the backcountry.

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
January 12, 2023My Epic Adventure: Roadtrip through to the Alvord Desert, Steens Mountain and Brookings
Thanks to COVID-19, the summer of 2020 was fraught with event cancellations, furloughs and social distancing. But not all was lost. People still also used this time to get away and get outside. Roadtrips were a common way to do this.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest podcast, we hear from The Oregonian/Oregon Live’s transportation and housing reporter, Jayati Ramakrishnan, for the latest installment of My Epic Adventure, a sub-series of the podcast. Jayati spent six days traveling by car far and wide throughout Southern Oregon.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Jayati and her friend drove from Portland to the Alvord Desert in one day.
This roadtrip was Jayati’s first camping experience.
Alvord Hot Springs can surprisingly get pretty crowded.
Steens Mountain was a favorite sight of the trip.
Jayati knows the best Thai spot in Brookings and perhaps even the state.

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

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33 min
January 05, 20232023 Peak Northwest Travel Guide
Making your travel plans for 2023? Need a little inspiration? We can help with that.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive into the latest Northwest Travel Guide and pull out 10 great ideas for the year ahead.
From outdoor adventures on mountain trails to relaxing hot spring getaways, there’s something here for everyone. And between the many beautiful places in Oregon and Washington, there’s no shortage of spots to explore.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Consider visiting towns that may be overlooked, like Salem and Forks.
Head to the southern Coast Range for some incredible waterfalls.
Pamper yourself at Breitenbush Hot Springs or the Salish Lodge & Spa.
The Pacific Bonsai Museum is a great roadside attraction near Tacoma.
Take a road trip on the Hood River Fruit Loop.

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38 min
December 29, 2022Our favorite trips of 2022
As the new year rapidly approaches, we are dreaming up adventures ahead with itineraries, reservation reminders and more. But we would be remiss to gloss over 2022 and its awe-inspiring trips, big and small.
On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we each count down our top five trips from the past year. Some adventures were big physical feats, while others allowed space to simply connect with a new town or a peaceful spot in nature.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Vickie recounts her two most physically challenging trips: summiting Mount St. Helens and biking around the rim of Crater Lake.
Jamie explored many, many beaches on the southern coast.
Exploring Joseph and the Wallowa mountains for a Peak Northwest video episode made the list for both Vickie and Jamie.
One of Jamie’s favorite trips was a serendipitous stay in Central America for a wedding.

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

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35 min
December 22, 2022Deschutes River Trail is a beautiful high desert destination
Fresh fall snow is coating the high desert trails of eastern Oregon, and few are more beautiful than the Deschutes River Trail in Bend.
Found just southwest of town, the trail is nearly nine miles long, running along the river through the Deschutes National Forest. Along the way, hikers and mountain bikers can find several beautiful waterfalls and stretches of calm river that are perfect spots for kayaking.
On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we’ll talk all about the Deschutes River Trail, with details on where, how and when to check it out.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Don’t get this confused with other trails that go by the same name.
Waterfalls are the main highlight of this stretch of the Deschutes River.
Kayakers and mountain bikers can see the trail, too.
Connector trails lead to points beyond, north into Bend and south to Sunriver.

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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21 min
December 15, 2022My Epic Adventure: Taking the bus to Cannon Beach for a weekend
A trip to the Oregon coast is almost always a magical experience. Oregon’s Cannon Beach is one of the closest coastal towns to Portland. With cute shops and boutiques, a great selection of restaurants and of course, Haystack Rock, there is good reason why so many people choose to spend a day trip or weekend there. What could possibly sweeten the deal, you ask? Not having to drive.
On this week’s Peak Northwest podcast, we get into our second episode of our new sub-series, My Epic Adventure, with The Oregonian/OregonLive’s life and culture reporter, Lizzy Acker, as she recounts her most recent trip to Cannon Beach. Lizzy traveled entirely by bus to the coast with her three-year-old daughter.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Lizzy breaks down the logistics of the two-bus trip.
How to keep kids entertained on the bus.
Restaurant and lodging recommendations from Lizzy.
Exploring the beach at night with clear skies makes for great stargazing.
We hear from Lizzy’s daughter herself on her takeaways from the trip.

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31 min
December 08, 2022How to hike to the smallest lighthouse in Oregon
Looking for good views, nice trails, quiet beaches and a quaint lighthouse? No need to head to the coast – just drive out to Sauvie Island.
The Warrior Rock Lighthouse, officially the smallest lighthouse in Oregon, is found at the northern tip of Sauvie Island near Portland, serving as a beacon for ships on the Columbia River and a landmark for anyone who hikes out to see it.
The lighthouse was built at the end of the 19th century, commissioned by the U.S. government to help ships avoid a large bedrock reef jutting out from the island, according to various articles and histories published over the years.
And while the Warrior Rock Lighthouse has long since been automated (and closed to the public), it remains a fascinating landmark on an already beautiful hike along the Columbia River. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we’ll reveal how, where and when to go see it.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Where is the Warrior Point Trail?
How difficult is the hike?
What’s the history of the Warrior Rock Lighthouse?
What else should hikers know about this adventure?

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19 min