Peak Northwest

Peak Northwest

Hosts Jamie Hale and Chiara Profenna take you to some of the greatest destinations in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

Episodes

7 of the very best hotels on the Oregon coast

May 22, 2025 • 33 mins
There are a lot of places to stay the night on the Oregon coast, but some spots are just special. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive into our recent list of the best hotels on the Oregon coast, highlighting seven that are especially noteworthy. These places include affordable stays right off the highway, luxury destinations on the sand and unique spots with funky decor. Bookmark these hotels for your next Oregon c...
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Why this central Oregon observatory is a great place to look into the stars

May 15, 2025 • 32 mins
There are a lot of places to find dark skies in Oregon, but relatively few that are set up to let you gaze deeply into the cosmos. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to Paul Poncy, observatory manager at the Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory in central Oregon, which is one of the state’s best places to go stargazing. Aside from the dark skies, the observatory also has several telescopes and good educational pr...
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The new tunnel in the Columbia Gorge that you have to go see for yourself

May 8, 2025 • 26 mins
It’s not every day that you get a brand new attraction in the Columbia River Gorge. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we head out to the new Mitchell Point Tunnel, open to pedestrians and cyclists only, found on the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail west of Hood River. The 665-foot tunnel, which features rock windows that open to spectacular views of the Columbia Gorge, is one of the most impressive human-made ...
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Where to find the best wildflower hikes in the Columbia River Gorge

May 1, 2025 • 33 mins
Wildflower season is here! The only question is where you’re going to go hiking to see them. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we cover all the best wildflower hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, which is easily the most colorful spot to get outside this time of year. From famous trails like Dog Mountain and the Tom McCall Preserve, to farther-flung destinations like Dalles Mountain Ranch and the Lyle Cherry Orchard, ther...
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How to do a spring trip to Mt. Bachelor and Bend

April 24, 2025 • 31 mins
Not everyone appreciates a ski trip in spring, but those who visit central Oregon in the shoulder season might find a newfound fondness for the region. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we take a quick trip to Bend, with a stop for some spring skiing at Mt. Bachelor and a night in Sunriver. From the snowy slopes of the popular mountain to the brewpubs and bike trails around Bend, there’s a lot to do an enjoy on a trip to t...
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Here’s why Warm Springs is a great overnight destination

April 17, 2025 • 33 mins
There are plenty of incredible overnight destinations in Oregon, but what about Warm Springs? Home of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, the reservation has not only beautiful rolling high desert hills, but also the immensely popular Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort and the Museum at Warm Springs. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we outline a brief itinerary for a great overnighter to the central Oregon destination....
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Oregon organization offers outdoor adventures for people of all abilities

April 10, 2025 • 27 mins
Everybody should have access to outdoor recreation, regardless of their abilities. That’s the mission of Adventures Without Limits, an Oregon nonprofit that takes people outside and finds creative solutions to whatever barriers they may be facing. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to Anna Eick, program coordinator for the organization. The group has a wide variety of outings through the year, including hiking, snow...
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Where to find Oregon’s most famous filming locations

April 3, 2025 • 38 mins
You might be able to recognize a few locations featured in some of the most famous films made in Oregon, like “Twilight” or “The Shining,” but how do you find them all? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we explore the Oregon Film Trail, a series of markers erected at famous filming locations throughout the state. We’re joined by Kristi Turnquist, life and culture for The Oregonian/OregonLive, who has been covering the evol...
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5 of the most overlooked attractions in the Willamette Valley

March 27, 2025 • 34 mins
If your idea of spring break travel is less Cancun and more Corvallis, then we have a few ideas for you. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we look at some of the most overlooked attractions in the Willamette Valley that are perfect for some family-friendly day trips this spring. While most people will flock to the Oregon coast, Mount Hood or the Columbia River Gorge, you can break the mold by visiting some of these great, ...
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5 spots that make Sandy a perfect grab-and-go food town on Mt. Hood

March 20, 2025 • 29 mins
There’s always a good reason to stop in Sandy – especially if you’re in need of a quick bite to eat. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive into the small town between Portland and Mount Hood, which entices travelers with breakfast burritos, donuts, bagels and other grab-and-go food options. We have five of the best spots to stop off at, whether you’re going up or coming back down from Oregon’s tallest mountain. Here are...
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Oregon influencer discusses going viral, finding peace in the forest

March 13, 2025 • 30 mins
Maybe you’ve seen the videos come across your social media feed. They show a man, with a backwards hat and hiking poles, grumpily tromping down some beautiful, forested trail. The caption: “going on a stupid hike for my stupid mental health.” On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to southern Oregon resident Andy Neal, creator of the videos, who has been turning his viral moment into a career advocating for mental health...
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She Shreds helps women ski, build community on Mt. Hood

March 6, 2025 • 30 mins
At She Shreds clinics, “egos get left behind.” On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to Jenn Lockwood, training supervisor at the Mt. Hood Meadows Learning Center, who runs the She Shreds program. Lockwood said the program, which features both camps and clinics, offers women a space to learn together, grow their skills and create community. Participants often stay in touch, she said, and wind up creating their own commu...
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‘Traveling While Black’ series visits the Oregon coast

February 27, 2025 • 34 mins
An internet series dedicated to the experience of Black travelers has paid a visit to one of the best destinations in Oregon. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, Anthony and Marlie Love from Traveling While Black discuss their recent trip up the Oregon coast, which will be released in upcoming episodes on their YouTube channel. Based in Seattle, the couple helps travelers connect with Black history in destinations around the ...
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What it’s like to take the train from Portland to Vancouver, B.C.

February 20, 2025 • 31 mins
Plenty of people take the Amtrak train from Portland to Seattle, but how many keep riding all the way to Canada? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, our colleague Veronica Nocera recounts her recent train ride between Portland and Vancouver, B.C. (a route that resumed service in 2023), as well as her weekend north of the border. Nocera, who has taken both a train and a plane between the two cities, offered some insights into ...
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Guide to Oregon’s Dark Sky Country

February 13, 2025 • 30 mins
Oregon is in the middle of a dark sky renaissance. With new Dark Sky Parks, a pair of Dark Sky Communities and one massive Dark Sky Sanctuary, it seems like half of eastern Oregon has suddenly become dark sky country. But what does it mean? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dig into Oregon’s new push for astrotourism, and break down these new designations, all of which come from DarkSky International, an organization ded...
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6 lessons I’ve learned about traveling with a baby

February 6, 2025 • 33 mins
It might not be a shocking revelation that traveling with a baby is a challenge. More shocking is that it’s perfectly doable. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, Jamie shares six travel lessons he’s learned from his first six months as a parent – they might not be what you think. Traveling with babies, especially those younger than six months, can be a much different challenge than traveling with kids or even toddlers. Some o...
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How to enjoy this incredible snowpack on Mt. Hood

January 30, 2025 • 37 mins
It’s been a very good year to be a skier in Oregon. With snowpack at great levels as we near mid-winter, snow sports enthusiasts have been flocking to Oregon’s tallest mountain to take full advantage. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk all about skiing and snowboarding on Mount Hood, from the best places to rent gear, to navigating the sweeping terrain on the side of the mountain. Here are some highlights from this w...
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Introducing Chiara Profenna, our new co-host

January 23, 2025 • 24 mins
With the new year, there are some new changes coming to the Peak Northwest podcast. Chief among them is our new co-host, Chiara Profenna, the religion and culture reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive, who will be replacing longtime co-host Vickie Connor. As we welcome Chiara to Peak Northwest, we bid a fond farewell to Vickie, who has been with the show for nearly three years. While she will no longer be the podcast’s full-time co...
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The biggest astronomical events coming in 2025

January 16, 2025 • 29 mins
Pacific Northwest stargazers have a lot to look forward to in 2025 – even if there’s no solar eclipse on the calendar. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we highlight some of this year’s must-see astronomical events, including a total lunar eclipse, planet parade and plenty of meteor showers to keep your eyes glued to the night sky. Whether you’re an amateur astronomer or just enjoy looking up, there’s a lot to appreciate in...
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Why Astoria is the fish and chips capital of the Oregon coast

January 9, 2025 • 27 mins
If you’re looking for good fish and chips, you’d do well to stop in Astoria. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we stop by a few of Astoria’s best fish and chip shops, while discussing what it is that makes this place so good for fried fish and French fries. A trio of dedicated destinations show what makes this food scene shine. Just make sure you don’t listen to this episode before lunch. Here are some highlights from this ...
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