Peak Northwest

There’s a lot to love about the southeast corner of Oregon – if you’re willing to drive.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we follow Vickie Connor, a visual journalist for The Oregonian/OregonLive, as she explores this far-flung region of the state.

While her trip was short, Connor discovered a ton of southeast Oregon’s greatest treasures, from a towering fire lookout to hidden desert hot springs, and even spied some of the region’s famously reclusive wildlife. It’s hard to get enough of this part of Oregon, where dark skies give access to some seriously starry nights, and natural beauty seems to pop up out of nowhere.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Boat tours on Crater Lake are among the top bucket list experiences in Oregon, but after this past summer, it will be a few years before they head back out on the water.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, features reporter Janet Eastman recounts her ride on one of the last Crater Lake boat tours until 2029, which took her and a group of tourists around the blue-hued lake and to the famed Wizard Island.

With the season now over and the trail that leads down to the boats about to close for a major renovation project, the boat tours will need to be pushed back to bucket lists in the future. But as Eastman’s experience shows, it will be well worth the wait.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Oregon is perfect in the fall. From the crisp, bright days of September to the gray, mossy days of December, the Pacific Northwest has so much to offer this time of year.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we discuss eight of the most essential fall activities in Oregon, helping you make the most of the season.

Are you an outdoors enthusiast? You have to try your hand at mushroom foraging or hiking to a mountain hot spring. Love the autumn harvest? There’s no better place than Sauvie Island or the Fruit Loop. From road trippers to city people, there’s bound to be something here for you.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Oregon is not known as a particular hot spot for whale watching – at least not compared to places like the Puget Sound or Hawaii – but at least one spot has enough action that it’s been dubbed the “whale watching capital of Oregon.”

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we take a trip to Depoe Bay, the whale watching destination on the central Oregon coast, where we look for gray whales, eat good seafood and explore all the other attractions around town.

While most gray whales swim right past Depoe Bay on their annual migration, a small population likes to stick around. These “summer residents” have earned a following and helped establish a whale watching industry in town. As the whales gather in the shallows offshore, the people gather on the shores to watch.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Summer is almost officially over, and while some Oregonians may be eagerly transitioning into fall, there’s still time to get in your final few summer activities.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we go over 10 of the best ways to round out an Oregon summer, making sure you make the most of the last days of the season.

While many are oriented around water – hanging out by a river, taking a trip to the coast – there are so many other ways to enjoy the warm, sunny season while it lasts. So before you hang up your swimsuit for your flannel, make sure to get in a couple more summer activities for good measure.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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You’ve probably traveled through some small cities in Oregon, but it’s unlikely you’ve been to cities this small.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we head to the five smallest cities in the state, places that barely have a population or main street to speak of. That’s not to say there’s nothing to see there.

Samantha Swindler, features reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive took a road trip out to all five tiny cities, talking to locals and learning everything she could about these places. From Old West reenactments to incredible stargazing and one particularly unusual city council meeting, here’s what you can discover in the smallest small towns in Oregon.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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It’s an age-old question for anyone who’s flown the nest: What are you going to do when your parents come to town?

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we go over one family’s perfect itinerary for showing off Oregon, from coastal landscapes to incredible Portland restaurants.

While adventures will be different for every family, the intention is typically the same: finding a way to balance your desire to show your parents the places you love, with the need to cater to their own needs and desires. With so many good options in Oregon, it’s easy enough to do.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Whitewater paddling is everyone’s cup of tea, but some people feel like they don’t even have the chance to try.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to the leaders of nonprofit organization Diversify Whitewater, who talk about the barriers that some paddlers face, and how the organization is helping serve those underserved communities.

While Diversify Whitewater is not based in the Pacific Northwest, it has been bringing its Kayak Progression program, in which people gradually gain comfort on the water, to Oregon and Washington waterways. Those accepted into the program get access to an activity that may have felt inaccessible, the organization said, and can find a community of likeminded people.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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At 196 miles over two days, from the top of Mount Hood to the sand at the Oregon Coast, there’s a reason they call it the “mother of all relays.”

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we look at what it takes to tackle the Hood to Coast Relay, Oregon’s biggest annual footrace, which is returning this weekend.

Cristian Vargas, founder of Juntos PDX and Caminando Running Club, joined the podcast to talk about training his team for the big relay race. Co-host Chiara Profenna, who will be running the relay this weekend, has been training with Vargas all spring in preparation. Their methods and mentality going into the relay show just how tough this event can be.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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If cute cottages and ghostly tree stumps are your idea of a good time, you’ll want to plan your next Oregon coast vacation for Neskowin.

The tiny town on the north Oregon coast is known for its quiet, residential feel, with no small shops and few restaurants to speak of. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we get into everything you need to know to visit.

The major attractions in Neskowin are both wild: the Ghost Forest, which is a collection of ancient, submerged stumps that emerge at low tide, and Proposal Rock, a dominating sea stack that’s covered with a small forest. Beyond the beach, there isn’t much to Neskowin – and for many slower-paced coastal travelers, that’s absolutely perfect.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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