
Explore Oregon
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Everything to know about exploring Oregon's best outdoor destinations from the Statesman Journal including where to camp, hike, bike and more.
Explore Oregon
2w ago
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 freshwater — or roughly as much water contained in three Lake Meads, the largest reservoir in the United States. Karlstrom and Grant talk about how the aquifer is formed, where it's located (roughly between Mount Jeffe ..read more
Explore Oregon
3w ago
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 fishing, access and water quality at the reservoir east of Salem. -The controversy surrounding offseason recreation on McKenzie Pass Highway 242. Are you allowed to ski, snowmobile and bike on the scenic highway betwee ..read more
Explore Oregon
3w ago
In this episode, Zach Urness breaks down the incoming blizzard and beginning of winter recreation season, along with a feature on the glory and trouble of Umpqua Hot Springs. In the first half, Zach talks about the incoming snow, what impact it will have on winter recreation in Oregon and some suggestions for snowy places to travel. In the second half, Zach talks about a feature he just wrote on the glorious but troubled Umpqua Hot Springs in southern Oregon. Zach talks about how to get to the hot springs in winter — when the hot springs are quieter — and about the many years of abuse that the ..read more
Explore Oregon
1M ago
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 Lake, float tube fishing Oregon's alpine lakes, backpacking Broken Top Loop and new sections of whitewater that have appeared on the Klamath River after dam removal ..read more
Explore Oregon
1M ago
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 — even during an extreme heatwave — along with mountain biking a historic road and how to visit one of Oregon's most beautiful but semi-secret waterfalls. Part II of this countdown should be posted around the New Year ..read more
Explore Oregon
1M ago
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 plan to save endangered salmon has become so controversial, while other topics include new waterfall hiking loops at Silver Falls State Park, record setting coho salmon runs and one of the state's most epic Christmas ..read more
Explore Oregon
2M ago
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 special. Finally, Zach offers a few of Portland's other best hikes ..read more
Explore Oregon
2M ago
In this episode, host Zach Urness and outdoors intern Skyla Patton get excited about the peak season for finding Oregon's delicious and beautiful state mushroom. In an interview first recorded in 2022, Patton breaks down everything about the Pacific Golden Chanterelle, including where and when to find it, how to eat it, how to get permits to harvest them and trickier questions including whether you can over-harvest the beloved mushroom. The two discuss everything from the science of why chanterelles grow across western Oregon, best recipes and what the evidence suggests about cutting them or p ..read more
Explore Oregon
2M ago
In this episode, Zach talks about the Elkhorn Mountains and Anthony Lakes area of Eastern Oregon. Urness breaks down the what makes the Elkhorns such a striking range, the best time to visit, where to stay and what to do when visiting. There's no shortage of hikes, alpine lakes, fishing, backpacking and wildlife to enjoy — along with an Old West ghost town with a haunted suction dredge (that you are allowed to visit ..read more
Explore Oregon
2M ago
In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness is joined by Hike Oregon's Franziska Weinheimer to pick their favorite destinations from the past year 2023. Urness and Weinheimer feature rafting trips, backpacking routes and snowy adventures with epic views in a podcast meant to help others plan their trips for the coming year ..read more