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

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.

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 2004."

In this episode, host Zach Urness revisits the Oregon Desert Trail, a challenging but beautiful route designed to open the eyes of hikers to the wonders of the high desert. Urness talks about why spring is a time to consider hiking or planning a short or long-distance trek along the 750-mile route that travels from just outside of Bend all the way to Lake Owyhee State Park. Urness get expertise from Renee Patrick, trail coordinator for the Oregon Natural Desert Association about everything hikers need to know about undertaking the route, and just what makes it special.

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 skies are measured, and how they compare to what we see in the Willamette Valley.

In this episode, host Zach Urness takes listeners to the snowy wonderland of Willamette Pass, a great place to visit during the spring snow season. Even as the days get warmer and longer, there is still lots of snow on Oregon's mountain passes, which makes for a fun recreation season for skiing, snowshoeing and other activities. Urness highlights a rustic lodge to spend the night, wooden shelters hidden in backcountry snow and even hot springs to enjoy about an hour southeast of Eugene.

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 when and whether it will ever reopen. It features interviews with Tom Kloster, a longtime writer and explorer, who writes the WyEast Blog, and former Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area recreation offer Stan Hinatsu.

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.

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.

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.

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.