In this episode, Zach talks about Oregon's wildflower hotspots and the best times to visit with expert Greg Lief. Lief, who runs the website OregonWildflowers.org and the Facebook group Oregon Wildflowers, talks about some of Oregon's most interesting blooms and the best times to visit places such as the Columbia Gorge, Old Cascades, Coast Range and Eastern Oregon ..read more

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks about the rebound of one of Oregon's most iconic fish from near extinction. Urness was interviewed by Think Out Loud host Dave Miller on Oregon Public Broadcasting about why this year's run of winter steelhead in the Upper Willamette Basin was so special. After their population nearly crashing in 2017, the sea-run trout returned their best numbers in two decades this year. The interview was based on a story Urness wrote on the subject titled: "Once in 'extinction vortex,' Willamette winter steelhead post best returns since 2 ..read more

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks about the recently established Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary — the largest such sanctuary in the world. The 2.5 million acre sanctuary, located east of Lakeview near towns such as Plush and Adel in southeast Oregon, becomes the largest dark sky sanctuary in the world. Urness is joined by Bob Hackett, executive director of Travel Southern Oregon, to talk about what a dark sky sanctuary actually is, how it was established and how people can best experience it. They also talk about how dark skie ..read more

In this episode, Zach talks about the beloved and troubled slot canyon known as Oneonta Gorge. Named by a famous photographer of the 19th Century, this was once gem in the Columbia Gorge that featured an off-trail trip below high walls to a dramatic waterfall. But Oneonta became one of the first places “blown up” by early social media, particularly Instagram. The crowds brought lots of problems until the Eagle Creek Fire closed it in 2017 — and has kept it closed all the way to present day. This podcast looks at that backstory, including how the Gorge got its name, and reports the latest on wh ..read more

In this episode, Zach reposts an episode about visiting Oregon waterfalls covered in snow and ice. With heavy snow forecasted in the lower elevations of the Cascade Mountains this coming week, Zach decided to post a podcast he originally recorded four years ago that details the best places to ski or snowshoe to Oregon’s best waterfalls covered in snow. The waterfalls are at their best following a nice fresh low-elevation snow, which makes this coming week a fun moment to go winter waterfall hunting ..read more

In this episode, Zach Urness talks about a ski or snowshoeing trip to ice-covered Paulina Creek Falls in Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Central Oregon. Urness details what makes the trip unique, including a snowy waterfall, alpine lake, high peak, hot springs and even a backcountry restaurant. He talks about when and how to do the trip, how difficult it is, and additional options like snowmobiling ..read more

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks with author Glenn Voelz about the rise of Oregon's search and rescue, from the pioneer age to the modern era. Voelz is author of the book "Oregon Search & Rescue: Answering the Call," which covers the state's best-known searchers, high-profile disasters and how both shaped modern SAR. The book and podcast cover famous disasters on Mount Hood, how groups like the Mazama's began Oregon's SAR tradition and even the state's biggest political crisis ..read more

In this episode, Zach chats with Hoodoo Ski Area general manager Matthew McFarland. McFarland talks about a challenging 2023-24 season, the decision to allow more kids to ski for free and how to groom ski runs so they can be open with less snow than in the past. He also talks about the economics of running a smaller ski area that serves as a "feeder" for the larger resorts in Oregon and across the West ..read more

In this episode, Zach talks about some of the latest Oregon outdoors news including: -The latest $85 million verdict in the class action wildfire trial against PacifiCorp -How hot Oregon was in 2023 and the anniversary of the last Cascadia Subduction zone earthquake -A lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service for failing to suppress the Beachie Creek Fire before it exploded into a deadly inferno -Controversial plans for logging on state forests and legislation to conserve southeast Oregon's Owyhee Canyonlands ..read more

In this episode, host Zach Urness talks to National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Burling about the most recent freezing rain event in the Willamette Valley. They discuss why the Willamette Valley and northwest Oregon is uniquely suited for impactful freezing rain events and ice build up, and what happens in the sky to create freezing rain. Zach also talks about some of the major impacts in Eugene, Springfield and Portland from the ice storm of 2024 ..read more