Everything to know about exploring Oregon's best outdoor destinations from the Statesman Journal including where to camp, hike, bike and more.
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Oregon wildfire forecast and preview for summer 2024
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In this episode, host Zach Urness talks about the wildfire forecast for the summer of 2024 and the fires burning right now. Urness lays out what type of wildfire season is expected using interviews with fire weather meteorologists, who explain how drought, fuel moisture and El Nino to La Nina weather patterns could impact wildfires across the state…
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Elkhorn Mountains & Anthony Lakes a summertime jewel in Eastern Oregon
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In this episode, Zach talks about the Elkhorn Mountains and Anthony Lakes area of Eastern Oregon. Urness breaks down the what makes the Elkhorns such a striking range, the best time to visit, where to stay and what to do when visiting. There's no shortage of hikes, alpine lakes, fishing, backpacking and wildlife to enjoy — along with an Old West gh…
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'Ride through history.' Santiam Wagon Road offers beauty, adventure and historic landmarks
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In this episode, host Zach Urness talks about one of Oregon's most beautiful and historic trails that is often overlooked. The Santiam Wagon Road was once the primary route connecting the Willamette Valley to Central Oregon in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, the roadway has been transformed into a beautiful trail best explored on 18 miles an…
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Shellburg Falls reopens after four years, but Valley of the Giants closed long-term
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In this episode, host Zach Urness reports on two beloved places — one that is reopening after a major wildfire and another that just closed because of a huge landslide. Shellburg Falls Recreation Area reopened this past weekend, and Urness talks about how the experience of visiting the 100-foot waterfall and surrounding trails has changed — in some…
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Oregon Outback: Hot springs, hikes, dark skies and thick steaks
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In this episode, host Zach Urness talks about the Oregon Outback and Summer Lake area, a land of desert canyons, hot springs, hikes and quite possibly Oregon's best restaurant. The region was recently established as a dark sky sanctuary, but Urness looks at all the daytime adventures, along with the best time to visit and places to stay. He talks a…
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Eugene woman talks about shattering speed record on Oregon Pacific Crest Trail
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In this episode, host Zach Urness talks to ultra runner Emily Halnon of Eugene, who back in 2020 set the speed record for the Oregon segment of the Pacific Crest Trail. Halnon ran the Oregon PCT's 460 miles in 7 days, 19 hours and 23 minutes — an average of 57 miles per day. She set the record for both male and female runners. In the podcast — and …
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Fern hunt! How to harvest plants from Oregon's national forests for your backyard with a free permit
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In this edition of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks about a program that allows harvesting plants from national and state forests and replanting them your own backyard.With the program, you can transplant ferns, saplings and even wildflowers into your own yard for free. It's called the "forest products free use permit" and we'll t…
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A guide to ‘wildflower hotspots’ and the best times to visit
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In this episode, Zach talks about Oregon's wildflower hotspots and the best times to visit with expert Greg Lief. Lief, who runs the website OregonWildflowers.org and the Facebook group Oregon Wildflowers, talks about some of Oregon's most interesting blooms and the best times to visit places such as the Columbia Gorge, Old Cascades, Coast Range an…
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Steelhead rebound: Once at risk of extinction, Oregon's iconic fish has biggest year in two decades
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks about the rebound of one of Oregon's most iconic fish from near extinction. Urness was interviewed by Think Out Loud host Dave Miller on Oregon Public Broadcasting about why this year's run of winter steelhead in the Upper Willamette Basin was so special. After their population n…
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Oregon Desert Trail features canyons, dark sky, hot springs, solitude
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In this episode, host Zach Urness revisits the Oregon Desert Trail, a challenging but beautiful route designed to open the eyes of hikers to the wonders of the high desert.Urness talks about why spring is a time to consider hiking or planning a short or long-distance trek along the 750-mile route that travels from just outside of Bend all the way t…
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The world's largest 'dark sky sanctuary' is established in SE Oregon
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks about the recently established Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary — the largest such sanctuary in the world. The 2.5 million acre sanctuary, located east of Lakeview near towns such as Plush and Adel in southeast Oregon, becomes the largest dark sky sanctuary in the …
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Spring snow! Rustic lodge, hidden shelters and hot spring on Willamette Pass
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In this episode, host Zach Urness takes listeners to the snowy wonderland of Willamette Pass, a great place to visit during the spring snow season. Even as the days get warmer and longer, there is still lots of snow on Oregon's mountain passes, which makes for a fun recreation season for skiing, snowshoeing and other activities. Urness highlights a…
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In this episode, Zach talks about the beloved and troubled slot canyon known as Oneonta Gorge.Named by a famous photographer of the 19th Century, this was once gem in the Columbia Gorge that featured an off-trail trip below high walls to a dramatic waterfall.But Oneonta became one of the first places “blown up” by early social media, particularly I…
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With big snow coming, visit these stunning ice-covered waterfalls
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In this episode, Zach reposts an episode about visiting Oregon waterfalls covered in snow and ice.With heavy snow forecasted in the lower elevations of the Cascade Mountains this coming week, Zach decided to post a podcast he originally recorded four years ago that details the best places to ski or snowshoe to Oregon’s best waterfalls covered in sn…
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Ski or snowshoe to ice-covered waterfall, hot springs, lake, at Newberry Volcanic Monument
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In this episode, Zach Urness talks about a ski or snowshoeing trip to ice-covered Paulina Creek Falls in Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Central Oregon. Urness details what makes the trip unique, including a snowy waterfall, alpine lake, high peak, hot springs and even a backcountry restaurant. He talks about when and how to do the trip, how…
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The rise of Oregon search and rescue, from pioneer daring to the modern era
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks with author Glenn Voelz about the rise of Oregon's search and rescue, from the pioneer age to the modern era.Voelz is author of the book "Oregon Search & Rescue: Answering the Call," which covers the state's best-known searchers, high-profile disasters and how both shaped modern …
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The future of Hoodoo Ski Area with manager Matthew McFarland
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In this episode, Zach chats with Hoodoo Ski Area general manager Matthew McFarland. McFarland talks about a challenging 2023-24 season, the decision to allow more kids to ski for free and how to groom ski runs so they can be open with less snow than in the past. He also talks about the economics of running a smaller ski area that serves as a "feede…
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News roundup: Latest verdict in PacifiCorp trial, Oregon's' hot 2023, logging controversy
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In this episode, Zach talks about some of the latest Oregon outdoors news including: -The latest $85 million verdict in the class action wildfire trial against PacifiCorp-How hot Oregon was in 2023 and the anniversary of the last Cascadia Subduction zone earthquake-A lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service for failing to suppress the Beachie Creek …
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Why does NW Oregon get such bad freezing rain events?
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In this episode, host Zach Urness talks to National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Burling about the most recent freezing rain event in the Willamette Valley. They discuss why the Willamette Valley and northwest Oregon is uniquely suited for impactful freezing rain events and ice build up, and what happens in the sky to create freezing rain. Z…
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Winter recreation season is here! Plus the glory and pain of Umpqua Hot Springs
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In this episode, Zach Urness breaks down the incoming blizzard and beginning of winter recreation season, along with a feature on the glory and trouble of Umpqua Hot Springs. In the first half, Zach talks about the incoming snow, what impact it will have on winter recreation in Oregon and some suggestions for snowy places to travel. In the second h…
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness is joined by Hike Oregon's Franziska Weinheimer to pick their favorite destinations from the past year 2023. Urness and Weinheimer feature rafting trips, backpacking routes and snowy adventures with epic views in a podcast meant to help others plan their trips for the coming year.…
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Biggest outdoors news and environment stories of 2023
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In this edition, host Zach Urness breaks down the 10 biggest news stories in Oregon's outdoors and environment from 2023. Urness details some good news, such as the continued population growth of the western snowy plover from the brink of extinction, and some bad news, such as the closing of Salem Summit Company, with lots of news and analysis in b…
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Best combination outdoor adventures and brewpubs-restaurants across Oregon
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks with guidebook author Matt Wastradowski about their favorite places for a combination outdoor adventure and meal or drink. They travel to every corner of the state, talking about some of the state's best brewpubs, cowboy diners and seafood stops that also happen to be near big mo…
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Snow and ski area openings, water crisis, now-hidden gem of the Oregon Coast
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In this edition, Zach talks about the massive winter storm arriving in Oregon's mountains — and ski areas that have announced openings — along with the drinking water crisis in Sweet Home and Lebanon, new permits for Mount Hood and a variety of other news stories. Urness touches on how to explore the landslide-closed road on Cascade Head and visit …
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An Oregon ghost town's illegal Black loggers showcased at museum in Joseph
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In this episode, outdoors intern Olivia Stevens transports listeners to what was once a booming logging town in northeastern Oregon. It was also a town where Black people lived and worked at a time when it was illegal for them to do so because of Oregon's racist laws. Now, 100 years after the founding of Maxville, a descendant's efforts to bring to…
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Hikes and science abound at NE Oregon's Zumwalt Prairie Preserve
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In this episode, host Zach Urness talks with outdoors intern Olivia Stevens about her experience exploring the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve in northeast Oregon. While the Zumwalt may not be the main draw for visitors to the Enterprise and Joseph area, its managers make a compelling case for taking the a remote drive there. Visitors to the prairie can h…
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Will this Oregon winter be snowy, rainy or dry? El Nino to have major impact
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In this episode, host Zach Urness forecasts the upcoming winter with state climatologist Larry O'Neill. The two discuss whether this winter will be rainy, snowy, dry or warm, and looked at how the El Nino weather pattern would likely impact the next few months. Specifically, the two talked about how the strength of this year's El Nino could determi…
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A conversation with Oregon's godfather of sandboarding, Lon Beale
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks with the godfather of sandboarding in Oregon and across the world — Lon Beale. They talk about how to get started sandboarding on the Oregon Coast and its dunes, why it's so much fun and how the sport started. Beale talks about some of the best places to ride, how the sport has a…
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Eugene author Bob Welch details 'section hiking' the PCT over 11 years
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In this episode, outdoors intern Olivia Stevens takes listeners through a Eugene author's unusual strategy to finishing the Pacific Crest Trail. Rather than the traditional experience of completing the trail from the borders of Mexico to Canada in one go, Bob Welch hiked the 2,650 miles in 17 chunks over 11 years. Welch recently published a book ab…
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Why hasn't Oregon released investigation reports of the 2020 Labor Day Fires yet?
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In this episode, host Zach Urness talks about why fire investigation reports from the devastating 2020 Labor Day Fires still have not been finished or released by Oregon officials. Zach was interviewed about his in-depth reporting on the subject by Dave Miller, host of Think Out Loud on Oregon Public Broadcasting. They talk about where the investig…
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2023 wildfire season in review: Acres burned, homes lost, lessons learned
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness breaks down Oregon's 2023 wildfire season and puts it in prospective compared to recent years. Zach details the acres burned, homes lost and air quality impact around Oregon, along with the biggest fires of the year and big takeaways from the season. Then he talks with Alex Robertson, …
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Guide to northeast Oregon's Wallowa Mountains
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness and outdoors intern Olivia Stevens talk about some of the best things to do in the Wallowa Mountains. Olivia highlights overlooked campsites, cultural sites and museums and some new hikes in northeast Oregon's Joseph-Enterprise-Wallowa Lake area. Then, Zach posts a full episode that br…
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Clear bottom kayaking at Wallowa Lake becomes a viral sensation
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness and outdoors intern Olivia Stevens walks listeners through a unique experience on Wallowa Lake in the remote northeastern town of Joseph. A small, family-run company out there recently became a viral sensation after a social media influencer posted a video paddling through the glacial …
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View Roosevelt elk and listen to them 'bugle' at Jewell Meadows refuge
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In this episode, outdoors intern Olivia Stevens brings listeners to Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area to watch and listen to one of Oregon's most majestic animals — Roosevelt elk. Jewell Meadows, located in the Coast Range east of Seaside, is popular place where visitors can see up to 200 elk in one visit. Stevens highlights the sound an elk makes while…
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A 'Ring of Fire' eclipse is coming to Oregon next month. Here's everything you need to know
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In this episode, Zach talks with University of Oregon astronomy professor Scott Fisher about the upcoming "ring of fire" solar eclipse. The annular eclipse, while not quite as dramatic as the 2017 total solar eclipse, will showcase the moon blocking the sun in Oregon beginning at 9:13 a.m. on Oct. 14 and traveling across a wide swath of the state. …
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In this episode, Zach breaks down how to boat camp at Waldo Lake in a year when many campgrounds and roads are still closed due to last year's Cedar Creek Fire. While two of the campgrounds at Waldo are closed, you are allowed to load up a canoe or kayak with camping equipment and head to "dispersed" campsites that dot the lake's shoreline. Zach ex…
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The glory of Three Creek Lake and a new trails plan for Sisters
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In this episode, Zach talks to Sisters district ranger Ian Reid about the spectacular recreation and plans for new trails in this Central Oregon town. They start by focusing on the Three Creek Lake — one of Oregon's best base camps for adventure. They talk about how to best plan a trip, where to camp, fish and hike, along with detailing some potent…
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Abandoned but unforgettable, Bohemia Mountain's mines, hikes, campsites and festival
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In this edition, host Zach Urness and intern Abigail Landwehr talk about a visit to Bohemia Mountain and a festival honoring its rich past.Southeast of Cottage Grove, the name of the mountain is probably best known for the town-wide annual celebration. Every summer, Bohemia Mining Days attracts a number of people from across the state and further. …
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Best backpacking routes of the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, the impact of its seven major wildfires
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach updates the status of the Mount Jefferson Wilderness this summer and breaks down a glorious three-day backpacking loop about a glorious three-day backpacking loop. Then, he plays an older episode that highlights all the best places to hike and backpack in the Jefferson Wilderness while detailing t…
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Lower Deschutes rafting: Desert sun, big rapids and glorious campsites
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach talks about the glory of rafting the Lower Deschutes River with expert boater Jared Linkhart.They talk about how the high desert scenery, big rapids and riverside campsites make it the state's most popular rafting trips and how to make it happen — either with an outfitter or by running your own bo…
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A 'fish taxi' and a billion-dollar plan to save endangered salmon in the Willamette Basin
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach looks at a billion-dollar plan that involves using "fish taxis" and "fish Disney Worlds" to save endangered spring chinook in the Upper Willamette Basin. The plan centers on moving salmon around dams with massive trucks, and allowing the fish to spawn in the upper river that in the past was blocke…
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July news podcast Part 2: Waldo and Breitenbush reopen, Salem Summit closes, odd wolf behavior
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In this episode, Zach and outdoors intern Abby cover a wide variety of outdoor news including:-The reopening of Waldo Lake and the Breitenbush Highway, and what it allows access to, including Hawk Mountain-The sad news of Salem Summit Company planning to close-Same-day camping reservations at Oregon’s state parks -Perhaps the oldest site of human o…
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July News Part 1: Why Oregon wildfire season looks increasingly dire
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach talks with City Cast Portland about the upcoming wildfire season and why fire danger has suddenly skyrocketed to high levels after a wet and snowy winter. Zach also breaks down some of his favorite places to hike in wildfire scars, tells the tale of how Don Myron escaped the Labor Day Fires by she…
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Why is God's Thumb, a stunning Oregon Coast hike, so controversial?
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In this edition of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness and intern Abigail Landwehr talk about one of the most beautiful but troubled spots on the Oregon Coast — God's Thumb, also known as The Thumb. The basalt peak that juts above the ocean north of Lincoln City has become an extremely popular destination but the hike to its top is unoffic…
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10 stunning backpacking trips of the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains
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In this edition, Zach talks with southern Oregon expert Ryan Ghelfi about backpacking in the wild and beautiful Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains of southwest Oregon and extreme northwest California.It’s an ideal year to backpack in the area due to wildfire danger that’s lower than it has been in many years, following California’s historic snowpack that h…
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10 stunning Oregon backpacking trips for each month of summer
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach and guidebook author Franziska Weinheimer pick 10 of their favorite backpacking trips for late June, July, August and September as the high outdoor recreation season gets underway. The trips recommend include shorter and longer backpacking routes, from 15 to 55 miles in length, in the Wallowa, Elk…
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Climb and camp in 300-foot ancient trees at Silver Falls, and climb giants across the PNW
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach talks with Leo Rosen-Fischer, expert of recreational tree climbing in the Pacific Northwest and owner of Tree Climbing at Silver Falls. They talk about exactly what recreational tree climbing is — using ropes, a harness and other equipment to ascend high up old-growth trees — before detailing the …
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Saddle Mountain is a stunning hike — an island in the sky. Why has it been closed so long?
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In this episode, Zach and Charlie talk about the curious case of Saddle Mountain State Natural Area — one of the state's most beautiful peaks and hikes that has been closed frequently the past three years. The episode includes an interview with park ranger Eric Crum, who explains the difficulty in reopening the park's trail and the reasons for the …
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Catch Oregon's delicious 'mini salmon' in lakes and reservoirs
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In this episode, Zach and journalism intern Charlie Gearing focus on the glory of Oregon's kokanee salmon. The landlocked sockeye salmon have become increasingly popular for anglers for a number of reasons — mainly that they're delicious and easier to catch. Zach and Charlie talk with two expert kokanee anglers about the fish's backstory — how thes…
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Detroit Lake headed for excellent season, but four Willamette reservoirs emptied to save salmon
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Lookout Point Reservoir at extreme low water levelsAv Statesman Journal
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