پادکست های Explore Oregon

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…

Lookout Point Reservoir at extreme low water levelsتوسط Statesman Journal

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach and outdoors intern Charlie Gearing talk about the glories of the Crooked River.They talk about why it's one of the state's best fly-fishing streams while also highlighting the area's hiking, camping, boating and even bungee jumping. On the subject of fly-fishing, Charlie interviews Jeff Perin of …

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach talks with Smith Rock State Park manger Matt Davey about big changes coming to one of the state's most iconic places. The park's master plan is being developed that will bring changes to parking, hiking, camping and drone use a place increasingly popular for rock climbing and hiking. Davey outline…

In this episode, Zach talks about the latest developments in Oregon's Labor Day Fires. He details a mega trial that began this week that pits victims of the fires against Pacificorp — the utility whose power lines are blamed for igniting some of the fires and bringing widespread destruction. Zach also updates access to areas burned areas in the fir…

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach talks with noted guidebook author Matt Reeder about the best spring hikes in every corner of the state and his latest book, "Extraordinary Oregon! 125 Fantastic Hikes Across the State of Oregon." Zach and Matt talk about 10 of the best but over overlooked spring-specific hikes in the state. They t…

In this episode, Zach talks with two raft guides about one of Oregon's most famous stretches of whitewater — Hell's Corner Canyon on the Upper Klamath River. This summer will be the last chance to raft the segment of whitewater during summer before dam removal makes future trips different, and perhaps impossible, during the year's hottest months. P…

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach talks to Oregon State Climatologist Larry O'Neill about the incoming El Niño pattern and what it means for the state, in addition to an overarching discussion about Oregon's climate future. O'Neill touches on the differences between the La Nina pattern Oregon has been under, and the El Niño one th…

In this edition of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach talks about why it's so important to enjoy Oregon's robust snowpack and long ski season before rounding up a few good spring break travel ideas and highlighting some recent outdoors news. Zach details how Oregon's ski areas are staying open through April and even May this year due to a good snowpa…

In this edition, Zach heads to the ancient forest of the Salmon River hiking trails between Portland and Mount Hood. Zach talks about the easy, medium and difficult way to explore one of Oregon's most spectacular old-growth temperate rainforests. The podcast highlights Wildwood Recreation Site and Salmon River hiking trails heading into the Salmon …

In this episode, Zach talks to Eric Davis about how to go snowboarding on the Oregon Coast after a rare coastal snowstorm. Snowboarding is very rare on the Oregon Coast, but Davis has made it happen twice now, including last week, when he went snowboarding at Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area with his 5-year-old daughter and captured some unique phot…

Host Zach Urness wraps up the latest outdoors news before heading out on the state's best snowy waterfall trips. In the first half of the episode, Urness hits on the end of timed entry permits for the Columbia Gorge's waterfall corridor, Oregon's snowpack jumping to 108% of normal with more on the way and the future of outdoor recreation business i…

In the latest edition of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach wraps up the latest outdoors news and includes a handful of fun places to travel in February during this newsletter-style podcast. Zach talks about the series of dead whales that washed up on the Oregon Coast last month and looks at whether it's a big deal or not, along with dispelling the n…

In this episode, Zach talks about the growing momentum to reintroduce sea otters on the Oregon Coast with Chanel Hason, director of outreach and community relations for the Elakha Alliance. They talk about how returning sea otters to the Coast could help save kelp forests — and why that's important — along with why the fuzzy marine mammals were wip…

In this episode, Zach talks about all the big new changes at Silver Falls State Park.Park officials are planning a new trailhead and waterfall trail, a new campground and visitor's center, all while expanding the park by upgrading a backcountry area now known as the Smith Creek Village.Zach talked to Silver Falls manager Chris Gilliand and operator…

In this episode, Zach takes a winter road trip to Crater Lake National Park and talks about how to get the most out of your journey. Oregon’s only national park becomes a winter wonderland during the year’s coldest months, becoming an amazing place to snowshoe, ski, snow camp or just get views of the lake while sitting indoors. But the journey to C…

A series of research studies and surveys published over the past few months have revealed a troubling trend — some of Oregon's most iconic trees are dying or struggling in record numbers. In this edition, Zach talks to Oregon Department of Forestry Christine Buhl about recently documented die-offs of western redcedar, Oregon's true fir species, Dou…

In this episode, outdoors intern Makenzie Elliott talks to Daniel Hasselschwert, the owner of Ossies Surf Shop in Newport about all things surfing on the Oregon Coast.The two discuss what makes Oregon such an interesting place to surf and why people can surf the waves year round. They also talk about what it takes to start surfing with things like …

In this episode, Zach talks with wilderness chef and forager Kayla Sulak about the art of camp and wilderness cooking while highlighting a few of her favorite recipes for wild mushrooms, fish and game. They're also joined by experienced angler and hunter Mason Krupka to talk about the process of harvesting and hunting Oregon's wild bounty and the b…

In this episode, outdoors intern Makenzie Elliott looks into the recently published "Travel Guide to Oregon Indian Country." The guide, which was created by Travel Oregon in partnership with Oregon's nine federally recognized tribes, highlights events, outdoor activities and other attractions like tribal museums and casinos.Makenzie talks with Trav…

In this episode, Zach breaks down the biggest stories from the summer of 2022. He details the wildfire season and how this year compared to previous seasons, including acres burned, homes lost and days with unhealthy air. He also gets into the summer climate, Oregon's "year of the permit," conservation legislation and recreation trends that include…

In this podcast, Zach revisits some of his favorite interviews from the earliest days of the Explore Oregon Podcast. First, he talks about the life of whales off the Oregon Coast, including how new whale moms keep their calves safe from predators. After that, he talks with two environmentalists about Oregon's wildest old-growth rainforest. In the s…

In this episode, Zach and outdoors intern Makenzie Elliott talk about the best adventures in the touristy Central Oregon town of Sisters along with why the town looks as though it's the setting for a Wild West movie. They talk about some of the best places to camp and hike outside of town, from Three Creek Lake to the Mount Jefferson Wilderness, wh…

In this episode, Zach talks to Hipcamp founder and CEO Alyssa Ravasio about the rise of private campgrounds in Oregon and across the West. Private sites are becoming an increasingly popular option as Oregon's public campgrounds have fewer spaces available and are often sold out during summer. Ravasio talks about how her company recruits farmers and…

In this episode, Zach and outdoors intern Skyla Patton prepare for the peak season for finding Oregon's delicious and beautiful state mushroom: the Pacific Golden Chanterelle. Skyla breaks down where and when to find chanterelles, how to eat it, how to get permits to harvest them and trickier questions including whether you can over-harvest the bel…

In this episode, Zach talks to wildfire meteorologist Eric Wise about a weather pattern known simply as "east winds," which fueled the 2020 Labor Day Fires and last weekend's widespread power shutdowns and wildfires that brought evacuations to Salem, Estacada and Oakridge.Wise explains where the east winds come from, why they make Oregon wildfires …

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach welcomes a trio of fun guests to talk about about going backpacking with kids and the best places to visit. Zach is joined by Bonnie Henderson, his co-author of the guidebook "Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon," along with 11-year-old backpackers Nate and Mary Evans, who share their thoughts from a kid…

In this episode, outdoor intern and fungus enthusiast Skyla Patton talks all things mushroom hunting with pro forager and mycoeducator Rachel Zoller, better known as Yellow Elanor.توسط Statesman Journal

In this episode, Zach talks to fish biologist Stephan Charette about one of the best places to catch fish in Oregon — smallmouth bass on the John Day River. He talks about why the fishing is so good, where and how to land them and the upside and downside of so many fish.توسط Statesman Journal

In this shorter episode, Zach talks about the reopening of Jefferson Park, perhaps the most beautiful alpine destination in Oregon, and how to get there in the wildfire-burned landscape. Then he gets into the "extra-effort permit loophole" that should help you reach beautiful places in Jefferson, Sisters and Washington wilderness areas. Finally, th…

In this episode, Zach and Skyla head down Highway 199 to visit southwest Oregon's rugged and beautiful Illinois Valley. It's a place where you can sleep in a treehouse resort, go off trail at the Oregon Caves National Monument, visit art galleries featuring crystal artwork and reach mountain swimming holes, alpine lakes and big summits with a short…

In this episode Zach hits on the biggest stories of Oregon's summer. He touches on: 3:20: Wildfires and closures in place in Oregon at Waldo Lake, Diamond Peak.7:20: The McKinny Fire on the Oregon-California border and what's at risk in that magic part of the world.19:40: The reopening of 180,000 acres of pubic land including Opal Creek, Breitenbus…

This episode is all about Oregon's heat wave. To start, Zach is interviewed on Oregon Public Broadcasting about ways to stay safe and get outdoors amid 100 degree temps. Then, Zach talks about the latest on plans to reopen iconic forest burned in the Labor Day Fires around Mount Jefferson, Detroit and Opal Creek. Finally, Zach and Statesman Journal…

In this episode, dive into the Clackamas River, notorious for giving Portland its whitewater bug. Zach interviews Pete Giordano, owner of Blue Sky Rafting, as they look at how the river has changed after the Riverside Fire, which kept the stream closed last summer, and how it hasn't. Pete details the best sections of the river for big rapids, the b…

In this episode, Zach and three river experts pick the 20 best river trips in Oregon for whitewater thrills and overnight camping adventures. They talk about what makes streams such as the Rogue, Deschutes and Clackamas rivers so incredible and detail how to make the trips happen while also covering lesser-known streams. Guests on the episode inclu…

In this episode, Zach brings back a second volume of his favorite stories from the past 70 episodes of the podcast. This edition features:Why Hood River was once called "Dog River"A major drug bust that led to beautiful collection of trailsA ghost wagon rising from the Detroit LakeThe history of Hoodoo Ski Area Why it's dangerous to visit Proposal …

In this episode, Zach brings back a collection of his favorite stories from the first almost 70 episodes of the podcast. It's the first of two podcasts that include fun stories about Oregon's most famous places, and this edition features naked mountain men, a princess turned to stone and a coastal town feuding with a fifth grade class from Montana.…

There's no place quite like Steens Mountain, a 50-mile fault block mountain that rises almost to almost 10,000 feet above the Alvord Desert in southeastern Oregon. It's a place where you can backpack into deep gorges, explore a stunning alpine lake in a basin a vertical mile above the desert and camp at numerous sites along Oregon's highest roadway…

In this episode, Zach takes a trip to the high desert mountain and wildlife mecca of Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge. Joined by expert Michael O'Casey, of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, they talk about the area's hot springs, majestic animals and best hikes in this little-traveled corner of the state.…

In this episode, Zach is joined by Oregon outdoors author Franziska Weinheimer, the owner of the website HikeOregon.net, to talk about 16 summer road trips that include hiking, camping, floating, fishing and exploring all corners of the state.توسط Statesman Journal

Oregon's state parks showcase many of the state's most beautiful places as well as the largest and most iconic campgrounds. But how did this system of over 350 parks, recreation areas and the Oregon Coast come together? It's a story of ambition and conservation, of colorful characters, near-calamity and rebirth. Zach talks to an associate director …

In this episode, Zach interviews Willamette National Forest supervisor Dave Warnack about the agency's new plan to reopen 170,000 acres of forest that burned in the Labor Day Fires in 2020. The plan includes providing access this summer to iconic places such as Opal Creek, the northern Mount Jefferson Wilderness, and other places that are currently…

In this episode, Zach talks about the wildlife-packed wonders of the Willamette Valley wildlife refuges. Home to over 10,000 acres of forest, ponds, hills and one of the richest collections of birds on earth, the refuges make for great close-to-home hiking, according to guest Sam Bartling with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.…

In this episode, Zach is joined by Gabe Howe, director of the Siskiyou Mountain Club to talk about what might be Oregon's wildest place, the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. They break down the 10 best hikes and backpacking routes, while discussing the megafires, unique geology and wild rivers that make this area so enchanting. Howe details how his club rest…

In this episode, Zach talks with Mount Hood Meadows lead ski instructor Tyler Barnes about the best ways to get kids started with downhill skiing and snowboarding while keeping costs within reason.توسط Statesman Journal

Zach takes a deep dive into the Columbia River Gorge, breaking down the best hikes and best places to eat, the history and geology, and the latest news on permits, crowding, post-fire recovery and what comes next for Multnomah Falls, Dog Mountain and Oneonta Gorge. Special guests include author Matt Wastradowski ("Moon Columbia River Gorge & Mount …

The number of people rescued from Oregon's outdoors has risen sharply in the past few years. But why? Zach talks with Scott Lucas, state search and rescue coordinator about why Oregon has seen so many rescues, how people get into trouble and how to avoid getting lost.توسط Statesman Journal

Zach and SJ outdoors intern Eddy Binford Ross debate their 15 favorite winter adventures in Oregon. They talk about how to ski and snowshoe at Crater Lake in winter — and why it's better than summer — while breaking down a visit to a snowy fire lookout, waterfalls covered in ice and why the Oregon Coast Trail makes for great off-season trips.…

A new trail system was recently completed that provides access to to the Grove of Titans inside California's Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. We'll talk about how this is a huge win and give you details on visiting these giants.توسط Statesman Journal

Zach and David revisit how to head into Oregon's national forest and find a Christmas tree for just $5. They break down a program from the U.S. Forest Service that allows bringing home a tree less than 12 feet tall from the mountains.توسط Statesman Journal