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

Latest Episodes:

Updates on the Labor Day Fires: Mega trial begins, burned forest access, best hikes in fires scars Apr 24, 2023

Show notes

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 fires — including the Opal Creek and Mount Jefferson areas — before talking about good places to hike and observe the scars left behind by the fires. Finally, Zach reposts a podcast recorded in the wake of the Labor Day Fires that talks about the week before the fires, what happening when the fires exploded and some of the aftermath.

10 most 'extraordinary' spring hikes in every region of Oregon Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

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 travel to a coastal hike below massive sea walls, into the rugged Badger Creek Wilderness and journey into a narrow crack in a vertical wall of Steens Mountain. Matt also talks about his motivation for the book and what makes it stand out compared to other guidebooks that showcases Oregon. You can buy "Extraordinary Oregon!" in plenty fo places online, but the best is at his website, The Ruddy Hill Press.

Last ride in Hell's Corner: Rafters savor last season on wild Upper Klamath before dam removal Apr 06, 2023

Show notes

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. Pete Wallstrom, owner of Momentum River Expeditions, and Bart Baldwin, owner of Noah's River Adventures, both in Ashland, talk about what makes the river special in its current state, how dam removal will change it and what the future holds for recreation on the Klamath River.

Oregon State climatologist Larry O'Neill talks El Niño, wildfire, climate change Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

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 that is expected to arrive next winter and could bring extremely warm conditions. He also gets into how increasingly warm Oregon have impacted the state so far and what we're expected to see in the future.

Spring break skiing, Three Sisters shelter, El Nino fears and Oregon's cutest shorebird rebounds Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

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 snowpack and mentions some spring deals that make getting on the lifts a bit cheaper. He then highlights a snowshoe and ski route to a snow shelter at the base of the Three Sisters. Because of a potential El Nino pattern next year, this spring might be the best snow conditions for a while, according to Oregon State Climatologist Larry O'Neill, who makes a brief appearance on the podcast. Finally, Zach highlights two outdoor-themed museums worth visiting during spring break, whale watching advance and then a handful of news reported recently including: The revival of the western snowy plover on the Oregon Coast Two fatal accidents in the backcountry, and another death at Oregon’s deadliest spot More struggles for Oregon’s iconic trees — this time of the Douglas firs of the Klamath-Siskiyou

The old-growth forest of the Salmon River trails Mar 13, 2023

Show notes

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 Huckleberry Wilderness, breaking down how to backpack, day-hike and explore the area. He also highlights some extreme whitewater kayaking to visit the area's hidden waterfalls and a trip to an abandon fire lookout at the top of a nearby mountain.

Snowboarding the Oregon Coast dunes after rare ocean-side snowstorm Feb 28, 2023

Show notes

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 photos and video in the process. In the podcast, Davis explains how he tries to find snowboarding opportunities in the Coast Range and the magic of snowboarding above the ocean last week on a the "Great Dune" at Cape Kiwanda.

Columbia Gorge permits axed, new bill charts future of outdoor rec, snowy waterfall trips Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

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 in light of lawsuits, an Oregon Supreme Court decision and new legislation. In the second half, Urness talks about his favorite trips to snow-covered waterfalls.

News updates and February travel: Non-exploding whales, historic heat and Oregon redwoods Feb 01, 2023

Show notes

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 notion that Oregon will once again use dynamite to explode the whale carcasses, as the state attempted in the 1970s. He also touches on a string of historically hot years in the Beaver State, the number of boating deaths in Oregon and a handful of other newsy topics. Finally, Zach highlights two great places to travel in February including skiing or snowshoeing at Gold Lake Sno-Park and traveling to the Oregon Redwoods.

Momentum grows to return sea otters to the Oregon Coast. Here's why. Jan 26, 2023

Show notes

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 wiped out in the first place and how reintroduction could work.

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