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

Latest Episodes:

20 greatest Oregon river trips for thrilling whitewater and glorious campsites Jul 14, 2022

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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 include: Zach Collier, owner of Northwest Rafting Company Jacob Cruser, co-author of "Paddling Pacific Northwest Whitewater" and author of the blog Into the Outside Jared Linkhart, a longtime rafter and river sage to boaters learning to get their family on the water

Favorite stories Vol. 2: The legend of Dog River, Detroit Lake Ghost Wagon, drug bust becomes a park Jul 07, 2022

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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 trails A ghost wagon rising from the Detroit Lake The history of Hoodoo Ski Area Why it's dangerous to visit Proposal Rock with a significant other

Favorite Stories Vol.1: Lincoln City fights a fifth grade class, a naked mountain man and more Jul 03, 2022

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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.

Steens Mountain: glorious gorges and alpine lakes above the Alvord Desert Jun 25, 2022

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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 talks with Anne White with the Oregon Natural Desert Association about all the wonders and styles of outdoor recreation at Steens.

Hot springs, desert hiking and epic wildlife viewing at SE Oregon's Hart Mountain Jun 14, 2022

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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.

Glorious Oregon summer road trips to camp, hike and explore Jun 07, 2022

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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.

The rise, fall and rebirth of Oregon's state parks over 100 years May 24, 2022

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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 and historian for the deep dive on the last 100 years of Oregon parks.

A new plan to reopen wildfire-burned Opal Creek, Jefferson wilderness, PCT Apr 04, 2022

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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 closed due to safety concerns.

'Step into the wild’ of the Willamette Valley at wildlife refuges Mar 28, 2022

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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.

Oregon's wildest place: The Kalmiopsis Wilderness Mar 04, 2022

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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 restored the wilderness' trails after major wildfires.

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