Peak Northwest

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

Peak Northwest episodes

March 26, 2020 The state of travel and recreation amid the coronavirus outbreak
The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has shaken up life as we know it, with thousands of people in the Northwest becoming sick and many more finding themselves unemployed. Amid the upheaval, a loss of travel and recreation should fall low on our list of concerns. But we, like you, long for days outdoors.
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20 min
March 19, 2020 Tricks for traveling with kids
Traveling with kids can be a challenge, albeit one with great rewards.For this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talked to a panel of parents to get their tips and tricks about traveling with kids. We also talked to a younger pair of experts on the topic.

NOTE: Since the coronavirus outbreak has spread through Oregon and around the world, traveling with kids (or even traveling at all) is not a great idea right now. With that in mind, these tips are great to keep in your back pocket for whenever you hit the road again.

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32 min
March 12, 2020 Our guide to last-minute spring break road trips
Oregon’s spring break is fast approaching. And while lots of spring breakers have their plans set in stone, some others don’t. At least not yet. So this week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we rattle off road trip ideas for the lucky folks who have time off later this month... but don’t quite know what to do with it.

We’d be remiss, of course, not to reference the spread of the coronavirus in the Northwest and around the world. We urge spring breakers to stay up on the news and heed the advice of public officials as the virus continues to spread.

Check out Jamie’s compilations of spring break destinations around Oregon, the state’s best roadside attractions and spring break ideas around Portland.

Plan for warmer days with Jamie’s list of 12 epic summer road trips across Oregon.

Listen to our podcast episode about things to do in the snow — especially if you’re interested in our first road trip suggestion.

Watch Jim’s most recent Peak Northwest video episode.

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23 min
March 05, 2020 A guide to Portland running, trails and races
The heartiest of runners pound the pavement year-round. But as spring approaches, the prospect of warmer, sunnier days is bound to beckon more runners to Portland’s sidewalks and trails. So before the season turns, we sat down with Oregonian/OregonLive engagement editor Julie Evensen, an avid runner, to talk all things running.

Read Jamie’s Portland runner’s guide to check out a compilation of footraces and runs around the city this year.

Watch the latest episode of the Peak Northwest video series, where Jim and his partner ski to one of Oregon’s famed fire lookouts.

Check out a previous video episode, where Jim and his partner run the 30.2-mile Wildwood Trail.

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30 min
February 27, 2020 Some of Oregon's least popular parks are worth a visit
Oregon has a lot of extremely busy state parks, but it also has plenty of places that see few visitors at all. This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk to Seth Miller, executive director of the Oregon State Park Foundation, to discuss the least visited state parks from 2019.
See Jamie’s story on the 20 least popular Oregon state parks, and the 20 most popular Oregon state parks from 2019.
Watch a video of bighorn sheep being flown into Cottonwood Canyon.

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37 min
February 20, 2020 Our favorite winter hikes in the Portland area
We discuss a few of our favorite winter options in and around Portland. We also shout out some Portland-area wildlife preserves that are worth a visit.
Check out Jamie’s rundown of 10 wildlife preserves close to Portland.
Watch a Peak Northwest video episode of Jim running the Wildwood Trail.
Head over to the Hoyt Arboretum website to peruse its seasonal highlights.
Watch Jim’s most recent Peak Northwest video episode, in which he goes climbing at Smith Rock State Park.

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25 min
February 13, 2020 Chasing waterfalls in Oregon’s Coast Range
We head to the rainy Coast Range mountains to discover hidden waterfalls in the woods.
See Jamie’s stories on Niagara Falls and Drift Creek Falls.
Also check out our list of the 10 things to pack for a day hike in Oregon, and get some tips on rainy day hiking in our previous episode of the podcast.
To find directions to some of the more remote waterfalls, as well other hikes around Oregon, head to OregonHikers.org.
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27 min
February 06, 2020 Why Bend shines in the wintertime
Bend is a special place any time of year, but we’re particularly fond of Oregon’s high-desert hangout during the wintertime.
Read Jamie’s 20 reasons to love Bend, and check out Michael Russell’s beer lover’s guide to central Oregon.

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30 min
January 30, 2020 Playing in the snow: The everything-but-downhill-skiing edition
Downhill skiing is one popular way to experience the majesty of the mountains, come wintertime. But there are plenty of other options for those seeking a different kind of mountain experience. This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we discuss snowy activities that don’t involve buying a lift ticket or spending time at a ski resort.
Check out this guide to Oregon Sno-Parks, read Jamie’s story about his first-ever snowshoeing trip and peruse our guide to Mount Hood in the winter. Watch the latest Peak Northwest video to see Jim try surfing on the Oregon coast.

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31 min
January 23, 2020 How yurts helped save Oregon parks
This week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast dives into the surprising history of yurts in Oregon — and why campers went nuts for them. Jamie and Jim are joined by Craig Tutor, the former state parks manager who first put yurts into parks back in the early 1990s.
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27 min