Peak Northwest
Hosts Jamie Hale and Chiara Profenna take you to some of the greatest destinations in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
Episodes
June 19, 2025 • 34 mins
You’ve probably driven from Portland to Astoria. Maybe you’ve even taken the bus. But have you ever traveled between the two cities by boat?
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk about the twice-a-year travel experience that’s taking people down the Columbia River, providing a very different way to travel to the north Oregon coast.
Lizzy Acker, who reported on the Astoria cruise earlier this spring, joins the podcast ...
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June 12, 2025 • 33 mins
On hot summer days, Portlanders flock to the water – thankfully there’s a lot of that here.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we discuss the many, many swim spot options in and around the city, for people who are looking to dip their toes or take a dip in a cooling river or lake.
Joining us to discuss swim spots is local swimmer Hadley Brooks, who for the last several years has embarked on a personal “summer of swimming”...
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June 5, 2025 • 40 mins
Oregon is famous for its waterfalls, but not all are so easy to find.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we explore a hidden waterfall corridor along the North Umpqua River in the southern Cascade Mountains, ranking the best plunges and falls in the region.
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May 29, 2025 • 30 mins
Sometimes all you need is a quick trip to the ocean.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we take a baby day trip to the north Oregon coast – with an actual baby in tow.
With stops in Cannon Beach, Manzanita and Nehalem, we find out what it’s like to explore the coast, from fish and chips shops to the sandy beach, with an infant along for the ride.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Start the day at one o...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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