Peak Northwest

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

Peak Northwest episodes

May 20, 2021 The best places to visit, eat and drink in Oregon's capital city
There’s far more to see in Salem than the state Capitol topped with a golden lumberjack, and far more to do than visit the state fair. The “Cherry City” boasts a vibrant food scene, beautiful public gardens and riverfront parks, all nestled into the center of the Willamette Valley. This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we detail the best attractions, outdoor spaces and places to eat and drink in Oregon's capital city.
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22 min
May 13, 2021 Exploring Oregon's central coast
It’s hard to play favorites when it comes to the Oregon coast, yet we find ourselves returning, time and again, to the central stretch of our coastline.

Looking for natural wonders? How about Cape Perpetua and the Oregon Dunes. Want a beach town to settle into? Try Yachats, Newport or Depoe Bay. There are good restaurants everywhere and roadside attractions galore, from the Sea Lion Caves to Thor’s Well and Ripley’s Believe it or Not.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we highlight some of the best places to see on the central Oregon coast, helping you plan your own perfect getaway out to the ocean – just don’t expect to see it all on one trip.

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26 min
May 06, 2021 Exploring Silver Falls’ waterfall wonderland on the Trail of Ten Falls
The Northwest is home to some seriously incredible waterfall hikes, but there’s nothing else quite like the Trail of Ten Falls, which passes by 10 beautiful waterfalls in Silver Falls State Park. The waterfalls are the result of millions of years of geology, formed as streams and creeks cut through layers of ash and volcanic basalt, deposited by eruptions in the Cascade Mountains. They range from the 177-foot South Falls to 27-foot Drake Falls, each beautiful in its own unique way. This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we offer a primer on the spectacular Trail of Ten Falls — and what else Silver Falls State Park has to offer.
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24 min
April 29, 2021 How nature built the Pacific Northwest we love to explore
The Northwest is home to a host of fascinating natural features, from the Columbia River Gorge to the coastline and Cascades. But have you ever wondered what natural forces have shaped the landscapes we love? This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we connect with Leslie Moclock and Jacob Selander, the authors of “Rocks, Minerals, and Geology of the Pacific Northwest,” for a primer on our region’s geology.
You can support this podcast and our local journalism with a subscription to OregonLive. Go to oregonlive.com/podsupport. Thank you.

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37 min
April 22, 2021 How to see wildflowers in the Columbia River Gorge
There are few sites more beautiful than fields of wildflowers over the Columbia River Gorge.

Already one of the most scenic places in the Pacific Northwest, the Columbia Gorge gets a big splash of color each spring as rolling hills on either side of the river fill with yellow, purple, pink, white and red flowers. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk about not just where to go to see the flowers, but also when to visit and how to enjoy them responsibly.

Read Jamie’s full story, How to see wildflowers in the Columbia River Gorge.

You can support this podcast and our local journalism with a subscription to OregonLive. Go to oregonlive.com/podsupport. Thank you.

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26 min
April 15, 2021 Make the most of Portland’s sprawling Forest Park
Forest Park is one of the best natural spaces in Oregon, and one of the best urban forests in the U.S. It’s no wonder that so many people cherish the Portland park. But accessing Forest Park isn’t as easy as other outdoor recreation areas. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we dive into Portland’s sprawling urban forest, going over the trailheads, trails and best sites to see while you’re there.

Read Jamie’s full story, Forest Park unraveled: How to discover Portland’s sprawling urban forest.
See Jim’s video about running the length of the Wildwood Trail through Forest Park.

You can support this podcast and our local journalism with a subscription to OregonLive. Go to oregonlive.com/podsupport. Thank you.

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33 min
April 08, 2021 Help scientists by taking snow measurements on your next backcountry trip
Meet Dave Hill and Nina Aragon, two Oregon State University researchers behind the Community Snow Observations project, which enables backcountry users, such as snowmobilers and snowshoers, to submit snow depth measurements using a mobile app. Those measurements are important for more than just recreation, as they help researchers better understand the snowpack and hazards such as avalanches. They also support water runoff models that inform us about water resources, ecology, tourism and the effects of a changing climate.

Jim took a trip to Santiam Pass earlier this year, during which Dave and Nina taught him how to take proper snow depth measurements. The trip was captured in the latest episode of the Peak Northwest video series. Find it here: https://youtu.be/V6os0rGRZVM

Find the Community Snow Observations project communitysnowobs.org.

You can support this podcast and our local journalism with a subscription to OregonLive. Go to oregonlive.com/podsupport. Thank you.

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29 min
April 01, 2021 5 great evening hikes for longer days
As the sun sets later and later this spring, we’re getting a little more time every evening to get out and explore the nature. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we take a look at some of the best spring evening hiking spots around the Portland metropolitan area and break down our top five favorites.
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25 min
March 25, 2021 Planning (but not actually taking) our dream vacations
On this week's episode of the show, we depart the beautiful Pacific Northwest — purely hypothetically, of course. As many folks dream of vacations they'll take post-pandemic, we share some of the big trips we've dreamed up.

You can support this podcast and our local journalism with a subscription to OregonLive. Go to oregonlive.com/podsupport. Thank you.

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34 min
March 18, 2021 Shoulder season travel shows a different side of the Pacific Northwest
Traveling during the shoulder season – just before or just after the peak season for tourism – is not just a way to beat the crowds, but an opportunity to see the Pacific Northwest in a whole new light. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we go over some of our favorite shoulder season destinations and some of the precautions you might need to take before heading out there this spring.
You can support this podcast and our local journalism with a subscription to OregonLive. Go to oregonlive.com/podsupport. Thank you.

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29 min