Explore Oregon Podcast: The state's most beautiful places and biggest issues

Latest Episodes:

Clear bottom kayaking at Wallowa Lake becomes a viral sensation Oct 06, 2023

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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 lake at night in light-up, clear boats. Olivia took the nighttime clear bottom kayak tour herself, and talks about whether the experience lived up to the hype driven by all the online attention. She also talked to the family that owns the company JO Paddle about how the business of clear bottom kayak tours and rentals began, as well as where they hope to take it in the future. JO Paddle will open reservations for their next season of tours and rentals on January 1. To learn more, go to their website.

View Roosevelt elk and listen to them 'bugle' at Jewell Meadows refuge Sep 28, 2023

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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 "bugling" during mating season, breaks down how this popular wildlife refuge and talks about why it's making a trip to visit with refuge mangers and volunteers.

A 'Ring of Fire' eclipse is coming to Oregon next month. Here's everything you need to know Sep 21, 2023

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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. Fisher, also the director of Pine Mountain Observatory in Central Oregon, talks about where to best see the eclipse, what's happening in the sky and how it's different from the 2017 event.

Return to Waldo Lake for boat camping Sep 13, 2023

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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 explains what's legal and open this year, before adding a podcast that looks at where to find the lake's best campsites, what to expect and how to plan a trip.

The glory of Three Creek Lake and a new trails plan for Sisters Aug 30, 2023

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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 potential changes that could be coming to the area. In the second half, Ian breaks down a new trail plan for the Sisters area. The plan includes new downhill mountain biking trails, opening trails in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness and tweaking popular trails, including those in Canyon Creek Meadows.

Abandoned but unforgettable, Bohemia Mountain's mines, hikes, campsites and festival Aug 17, 2023

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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. But the surrounding area offers more than just the festival — visitors can also explore trails, campgrounds and the captivating mining history of the peak. Pieces of the mining district’s past also sit in between the pines, including a ghost town abandoned three times. Urness and Landwehr talk about the past and present of the area and offer a guide on what to explore during a trip to Bohemia Mountain. Interviews from longstanding locals, razor-driving visitors and the Bohemia Mining Days Festival’s deputy are also featured in the episode.

Best backpacking routes of the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, the impact of its seven major wildfires Aug 10, 2023

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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 the seven major wildfires that have marked the area and their lasting impact. Zach is joined by guidebook author Matt Reeder, who has written multiple books about the Jefferson, for a truly comprehensive breakdown on one of the most beautiful areas in the state.

Lower Deschutes rafting: Desert sun, big rapids and glorious campsites Aug 03, 2023

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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 boat. Jared breaks down the different segments of the river, talks about how to run the biggest rapids, find the best campsites and get permits. The podcast is also joined by Jared's two kids — Emma and Jacob — who talk about how they learned to run the rapids of the Deschutes and their favorite parts of experiencing it. Jared, of Dundee, is a longtime rafter and river sage to boaters learning to get their family on the water. He runs multiple Facebook groups, including Whitewater Families of the PNW.

A 'fish taxi' and a billion-dollar plan to save endangered salmon in the Willamette Basin Jul 26, 2023

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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 blocked by dams. The hope is that is to rebuild wild salmon numbers that have fallen to around 4,000 to 7,000 fish per year, down from 300,000 historically. The podcast is based on Zach's in-depth reporting on a massive, multi-billion dollar plan proposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

July news podcast Part 2: Waldo and Breitenbush reopen, Salem Summit closes, odd wolf behavior Jul 14, 2023

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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 occupation in North America -The verdict of the 2020 Labor Day Fires class action trial -How not to get stuck on Proposal Rock -Grey whale numbers are down, Oregon wolf acts oddly and the discovery of sunflower sea stars on the Coast