Peak Northwest

If you’ve ever been curious about foraging in the wild, or felt intimidated by where to start, this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast is for you.

Foraging can seem like a daunting hobby to get into, but it doesn’t have to be. On this week’s episode, we explore Wildwood Folk School, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching people how to forage for wild plants, understand local ecosystems and build community through outdoor education.

Guest Shelby Lynn, foraging instructor for Wildwood Folk School, shares insights into their programs, how to get involved and why foraging is about more than just finding food.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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With spring now fully sprung, and the wildflowers out in full force, it’s time for the annual pilgrimage to Dog Mountain.

On this episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we dive into everything you need to know before tackling the iconic Columbia River Gorge adventure, known not only for its flower-strewn meadows, but for the very steep trail to get to them.

Whether you’re an experienced hiker or new to the outdoors, you’ll likely need to do a little planning before taking on the tough little hike. With steep trails, unpredictable weather and loads of poison ivy, there’s a lot to consider.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

When is wildflower season on Dog Mountain?

How hard is the hike, really?

What to pack for your adventure.

Some tips on doing a difficult hike like this.

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Spring mushroom foragers in Oregon are already coming back from the forests with their bounty: baskets full of beautiful, delicious morels.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast we get back into tips for beginner foragers, this time highlighting the morel mushroom, one of the most popular foraged mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest.

Jess Liotta, an independent mushroom forager and guest instructor for Trackers Earth, returns to the podcast to give a primer on how to properly identify morels, where to find them and how to cook them into a delicious meal.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Most recreation areas in the Columbia River Gorge are well-loved, seeing throngs of visitors every spring and summer to enjoy a beautiful day in one of the Pacific Northwest’s most scenic regions.

So what’s the deal with the Eagle Creek Overlook?

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we dive into the weird history behind the historic park at the mouth of Eagle Creek. Designed for the crowds that never came, and twice saved from ruin, the park remains one of the most enigmatic destinations in Oregon.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Mandy Yeahpau has done a lot of whitewater rafting in Oregon, but she never thought she’d get the chance to run the Klamath River.

That changed in 2024, when the river’s dams were removed and the waterway ran free for the first time in generations, allowing not only the salmon to return but also boaters, many of whom jumped at the opportunity to explore the reawakened river.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, Yeahpau recounts her rafting trip on the Klamath River, which she said was both a great adventure and a deeply moving experience.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Finders Keepers is one of Oregon’s greatest treasure hunts, hiding more than 3,000 glass floats every year on the beaches of Lincoln City. And while those might seem like good odds, finding a float requires more than just looking.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we take a stroll along the beaches of Lincoln City in search of hidden glass floats, discovering what it takes to actually find one.

Co-host Jamie Hale recounts his recent float hunting journey, which took some unexpected twists and turns, and wound up with a surprising ending.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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While all of Oregon’s beautiful waterfalls deserve our attention, one in particular has been getting national headlines lately.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk all about Abiqua Falls, the Silverton-area waterfall that went up for sale on Redfin over the winter, causing a stir locally and turning heads across the country.

While the unusual sale has been the focus of recent attention, there’s a lot more to discuss about the beloved landmark, including its still uncertain fate and the treacherous journey hikers face to get there.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Portland’s latest outdoors group is helping people discover the city’s many beautiful trails, and high-heeled hiking boots are encouraged.

Drag Me Outside, a new hiking group that focuses on accessible, low-impact trails around the city, is led by two environmental scientists who are also drag performers.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk to the duo behind Drag Me outside: Evergreen Hosp aka Thespis D.Light and Fiona Skye, aka Efemmera Gendera. The pair talk about their backgrounds in ecology and ornithology, and the importance of making a safe outdoor space for the local queer community.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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There’s no denying that Astoria is a cool place. From the natural splendor to the maritime history and the cultural cachet (at least in the ‘80s and ‘90s), the Oregon coast town naturally draws a community of creatives who are passionate about their home.

But while most of the town’s greatest sights are out in the open — standing tall and proud like the Astoria Column — many of Astoria’s weirder, more offbeat attractions are hidden away.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we descend into basements, enter unmarked doors and find hidden entrances to some of the weird, hidden attractions of Astoria. Samantha Swindler, features reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive, gives us her latest recommendations after another visit to the coastal destination.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Looking for a more affordable spring break vacation? Think more Cannon Beach than Cancun.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we dive into some of the best, most affordable spring break trips in Oregon, offering a fun vacation that doesn’t break the bank.

Some ideas are as simple as changing up your mode of transportation, others are about finding fun much closer to home. With so much to see and do in small towns across the state, it’s easy to plan a perfect spring break trip in Oregon.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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