Peak Northwest The Oregonian/OregonLive

It may be one of the farthest-flung tourist towns in Oregon, but Joseph is well worth the long drive to get there.
Peak Northwest podcast hosts Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor spent a busy few days in town and left feeling like they'd barely scratched the surface of things to do there.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

The Jennings Hotel is a great place to stay, with modern amenities and a convenient location.

Wallowa Lake is a must-visit for anybody visiting town.

We packed a lot of adventure into our two full days in town, exploring the mountains, the town and more.

What places and activities are we looking forward to on our next visit?




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A trip to the south-central Oregon coast for a work trip stole the heart of podcast co-host Vickie Connor, as she explored this part of the state for the first time on a four day work trip.
Filled with natural wonder from anemones to sea lions and phenomenal rock formations on the beach, this section of the Oregon coast is guaranteed to leave you with a feeling of awe and admiration. Plus, the trip is doable in a short span of days.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

Where to stay and eat in Bandon.

Experiencing Circles in the Sand labyrinths.

Driving up the 101 from Bandon to Portland.

Viewing sea lions and seals at Simpson Reef Overlook.

Hiking the Oregon dunes.


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It’s not just the rain that’s been putting a damper on spring adventures in Oregon – record gas prices have also been making us rethink our weekend day trips to the coast or Columbia Gorge.
Not content to simply complain about what we’re paying at the pump, on this week’s episode of Peak Northwest we tick off some local excursions around the Portland area, including close-in hiking trails and area towns to explore.
If a lengthy day trip is too rich for your taste, you can always take the opportunity to check out some local destinations that you might have overlooked.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

Sauvie Island is more than just beaches, there are several great hiking trails to explore.

You don’t need to go way out into the Columbia Gorge for a good outdoors experience.

Head to Portland’s suburbs for a wealth of hiking opportunities.

Local cities like Vancouver and Salem are great for day trips or overnighters


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With waterfalls, hot springs and crystal-clear lakes, the scenery on the McKenzie River Trail is among the very best in Oregon.
On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk all about the 26.4-mile hiking trail, found in Oregon’s central Cascade Mountains east of Eugene, and all there is to see along the way.
Whether you’re hoping to tackle the whole trail this summer or checking out the day hikes this fall, there’s a lot to enjoy and appreciate about the trail.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

Clear Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Oregon.

Two waterfalls are found on one short loop hike on the trail.

Blue Pool is a popular destination for day hikers.

Hot springs on the McKenzie River Trail are really hit or miss.

Where can you stay on and near the trail?


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Oftentimes, stereotypes portray outdoor adventurers to look a certain way or have a specific background. But access to the outdoors is meant for everyone to enjoy, even if you didn’t grow up exploring all corners of the forest. Even if summiting mountains at record speeds isn’t your thing. For so many, just getting outside and having a good time is a huge accomplishment.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk with Summer Michaud-Skog, founder of Fat Girls Hiking movement and author of “Fat Girls Hiking: An Inclusive Guide to Getting Outdoors at Any Size or Ability.”
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

Summer discusses how Fat Girls Hiking got started.

We ask Summer about some of her favorite hikes.

Summer tells us about her book and what she hopes people get from it.

How you can join in on a Fat Girls Hiking trip.


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One of the best parts about enjoying our great outdoors is that you can make your time as relaxed or as intense as you wish. You can hike a nice trail to see tall, awe-inspiring waterfalls. You can enjoy some calm, flat waters atop a kayak. Or you can combine the two, take the risk factor up tenfold and paddle your sit-in kayak down a 100-foot tall waterfall (after a lot of training and preparation, of course).
Waterfall kayaking is a niche sport that takes kayakers years of whitewater experience to work toward.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk with Michael Jonsson, a waterfall kayaker we spotted at Eagle Creek as he took on Punchbowl Falls and more with two friends.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

What is waterfall kayaking and how do you get into it?

Michael shares some of his favorite falls to kayak.

Michael shares some details we didn’t see at Eagle Creek.

How you can make your way to eventually kayak at this level.


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