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

Jan 28 2025 177 ep. 37 mins 206

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

Everything to know about exploring Oregon's best outdoor destinations from the Statesman Journal including where to camp, hike, bike and more.

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Underground aquifer in Oregon's Central Cascade Mountains holds trillions of gallons of water. What it means for the state

Jan 28 2025 45 mins

In this episode, host Zach Urness talks with two Oregon researchers that just published a study about a massive underground aquifer below the Central Cascade Mountains east of Salem and Eugene. Leif Karlstrom, a University of Oregon earth scientist, and Gordon Grant, a hydrologist with the U.S. Forest Service, discuss an aquifer they estimate as containing 81 cubic kilometers of

Snowshoeing beautiful Maxwell Sno Park, Detroit Lake emptied, McKenzie Pass confusion

Jan 22 2025 32 mins

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks about three different things: -Snowshoeing, skiing or micro-spike hiking at Maxwell Sno-Park, plus spending the night in its two cozy snow shelters. -The plan to drop Detroit Lake to its lowest level in history, in a controversial plan aimed at saving endangered spring chinook salmon but that could also impact

Part II: Best outdoor adventures of 2024

Jan 01 2025 27 mins

In this edition, host Zach Urness highlights the best adventures the Statesman Journal outdoors staff wrote about in 2024. In part II, Urness talks about a roadtrip to the Oregon Outback — plus its "dark sky sanctuary" — along with why Oakridge is considered among the United States' best places to mountain bike. He also talks about diving into an underwater forest of Clear L

Part I: Best outdoor adventures of 2024

Dec 25 2024 34 mins

In this episode, host Zach Urness highlights the best adventures the Statesman Journal outdoors staff wrote about in 2024. In this part I episode, Urness talks about the troubled but beloved Umpqua Hot Springs during its "quiet season" and exploring snow shelters in the winter backcountry near Gold Lake Sno Park. Other adventures highlighted include summer skiing on Mount Hood —

Newsletter pod: Willamette salmon fight, Silver Falls hiking, record coho, 'yurtmas'

Dec 04 2024 27 mins

In this episode, host Zach Urness talks about a collection of stories including the start of winter recreation season, the controversial drawdowns at Green Peter Reservoir and some fun winter adventures including skiing, hiking at Silver Falls and celebrating "yurtmas" by touring Christmas lights at the Coast. The podcast features interviews from KLCC in Eugene and considers why a

Portland's best hike? Trek to Pittock Mansion showcases Forest Park, Witch's Castle, Cascade views

Dec 01 2024 22 mins

In this episode, host Zach Urness and intern Alexander Banks talk about the iconic — and popular — hike to Pittock Mansion. Beginning in the heart of Portland, the route takes hikers through Forest Park landmarks and up to one of the most beautiful vistas in the Rose City. For additional prospective, Banks also talks with guidebook author Matt Reeder about what makes the hike

The remarkable rebirth of southern Oregon's Bolan Mountain Lookout

Nov 24 2024 46 mins

In this episode, host Zach Urness talks with three people who worked to rebuild a stunning mountaintop fire lookout in southern Oregon where visitors can spend the night. In 2020, Bolan Mountain Lookout was burned by the Slater Fire. Four years later, a district ranger and the leader of a nonprofit, along with his dad, spearheaded rebuilding a lookout with one of the state's most

The 'New Klamath River,' after dam removal, showcases salmon, new rapids and stunning scenery

Nov 04 2024 57 mins

In this episode, host Zach Urness talks with a Klamath River outfitter about how the largest dam removal project in United State history has transformed the river by returning salmon and opening new stretches of river hidden for over a century. Will Volpert, owner of southern Oregon's Indigo Creek Outfitters, has been rafting every stretch of what he's dubbed the "New Klamath" af

Snow or no? What's the forecast for Oregon's winter weather?

Oct 20 2024 20 mins

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks with Oregon State Climatologist Larry O'Neill about the forecast for the winter of 2024-25. O'Neill details why a forecasted weak La Nina system could result in a cooler and wetter winter than normal and what that means for the state overall, including for skiing and winter recreation.

Backpacking Broken Top Loop and 'float tube fishing' Oregon's backcountry lakes

Oct 13 2024 21 mins

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness and outdoors intern Elliott Deins talk about backpacking the Three Sisters Wilderness and "float tube fishing" in Oregon's backcountry lakes. Deins breaks down one of Oregon's most beautiful and challenging backpacking routes, the Broken Top Loop, including how many miles it takes, where you can camp and the major hi