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

Latest Episodes:

July News Part 1: Why Oregon wildfire season looks increasingly dire Jul 12, 2023

Show notes

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 sheltering in the middle of a river and offers some tips on not igniting wildfires of you own. Finally, Zach talks about the Boulder Fire burning near Mount Hood and why there's a good chance it could hang around for much of this summer.

Why is God's Thumb, a stunning Oregon Coast hike, so controversial? Jul 05, 2023

Show notes

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 unofficial, crossing over private land and bringing a host of problems for locals. Urness and Landwehr talk about the problems and look at why a plan to improve the area hasn’t happened. They talk to the Lincoln City mayor and hikers who recently visited the area.

10 stunning backpacking trips of the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains Jun 26, 2023

Show notes

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 has tamped down fire concerns — at least for the moment. Zach and Ryan talk about wild and remote places right on the Oregon-California border such as the Red Buttes, Siskiyou and Kalmiopsis Wilderness areas, then drop into the even more spectacular Trinity Alps and Marble Mountain wilderness areas — and more.

10 stunning Oregon backpacking trips for each month of summer Jun 13, 2023

Show notes

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, Elkhorn, Cascade and Klamath-Siskiyou mountains. They also talk about snow levels in the mountains, wildfire danger for the summer and the third year of the Central Cascades wilderness permit system, among other topics. Weinheimer, the owner and operator of the website Hike Oregon, also talks about new hiking booklets that break down the best hikes near different towns across the state.

Climb and camp in 300-foot ancient trees at Silver Falls, and climb giants across the PNW Jun 07, 2023

Show notes

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 types of giant trees you can climb in the backcountry of Silver Falls State Park. They talk about how tree climbing works for younger kids and older adults, how you can actually camp at the top of a nearly 300-foot tree and how Rosen-Fischer and state parks officials ensure the activity is not harming the trees or displacing animals.

Saddle Mountain is a stunning hike — an island in the sky. Why has it been closed so long? Jun 02, 2023

Show notes

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 ongoing closure. They look at when the park and trail will reopen and what will be different about it. Charlie and Zach also talk about the rare and endangered plants on Saddle Mountain, how the peak was once a prehistoric island and the pros and cons of closing public lands in the name of safety.

Catch Oregon's delicious 'mini salmon' in lakes and reservoirs May 23, 2023

Show notes

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 these salmon became landlocked — and how to best catch them in places like Green Peter Reservoir and Detroit Lake. They also get into what the fish eat, how they naturally spawn — and turn bright red in the process — and how best to eat them.

Detroit Lake headed for excellent season, but four Willamette reservoirs emptied to save salmon May 12, 2023

Show notes

Lookout Point Reservoir at extreme low water levels

Crooked River offers sublime fly-fishing, hiking, camping and even bungee jumping May 11, 2023

Show notes

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 the Fly Fisher's Place in Sisters for a full breakdown on the best flies, what to target and where to fish.

New era for Smith Rock State Park as master plan developed May 05, 2023

Show notes

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 outlines plans for a new visitor's center at the park and how the new parking areas will reshape the experience for rock climbers, hikers and anyone else who travels to the park.