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

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach talks with Leo Rosen-Fischer, expert of recreational tree climbing in the Pacific Northwest and owner of Tree Climbing at Silver Falls. They talk about exactly what recreational tree climbing is — using ropes, a harness and other equipment to ascend high up old-growth trees — before detailing the types of giant trees you can climb in the backcountry of Silver Falls State Park. They talk about how tree climbing works for younger kids and older adults, how you can actually camp at the top of a nearly 300-foot tree and how Rosen-Fischer and state parks officials ensure the activity is not harming the trees or displacing animals.

In this episode, Zach and Charlie talk about the curious case of Saddle Mountain State Natural Area — one of the state's most beautiful peaks and hikes that has been closed frequently the past three years. The episode includes an interview with park ranger Eric Crum, who explains the difficulty in reopening the park's trail and the reasons for the ongoing closure. They look at when the park and trail will reopen and what will be different about it. Charlie and Zach also talk about the rare and endangered plants on Saddle Mountain, how the peak was once a prehistoric island and the pros and cons of closing public lands in the name of safety.

In this episode, Zach and journalism intern Charlie Gearing focus on the glory of Oregon's kokanee salmon. The landlocked sockeye salmon have become increasingly popular for anglers for a number of reasons — mainly that they're delicious and easier to catch. Zach and Charlie talk with two expert kokanee anglers about the fish's backstory — how these salmon became landlocked — and how to best catch them in places like Green Peter Reservoir and Detroit Lake. They also get into what the fish eat, how they naturally spawn — and turn bright red in the process — and how best to eat them.

Lookout Point Reservoir at extreme low water levels

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach and outdoors intern Charlie Gearing talk about the glories of the Crooked River. They talk about why it's one of the state's best fly-fishing streams while also highlighting the area's hiking, camping, boating and even bungee jumping. On the subject of fly-fishing, Charlie interviews Jeff Perin of the Fly Fisher's Place in Sisters for a full breakdown on the best flies, what to target and where to fish.

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach talks with Smith Rock State Park manger Matt Davey about big changes coming to one of the state's most iconic places. The park's master plan is being developed that will bring changes to parking, hiking, camping and drone use a place increasingly popular for rock climbing and hiking. Davey outlines plans for a new visitor's center at the park and how the new parking areas will reshape the experience for rock climbers, hikers and anyone else who travels to the park.

In this episode, Zach talks about the latest developments in Oregon's Labor Day Fires. He details a mega trial that began this week that pits victims of the fires against Pacificorp — the utility whose power lines are blamed for igniting some of the fires and bringing widespread destruction. Zach also updates access to areas burned areas in the fires — including the Opal Creek and Mount Jefferson areas — before talking about good places to hike and observe the scars left behind by the fires. Finally, Zach reposts a podcast recorded in the wake of the Labor Day Fires that talks about the week before the fires, what happening when the fires exploded and some of the aftermath.

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach talks with noted guidebook author Matt Reeder about the best spring hikes in every corner of the state and his latest book, "Extraordinary Oregon! 125 Fantastic Hikes Across the State of Oregon." Zach and Matt talk about 10 of the best but over overlooked spring-specific hikes in the state. They travel to a coastal hike below massive sea walls, into the rugged Badger Creek Wilderness and journey into a narrow crack in a vertical wall of Steens Mountain. Matt also talks about his motivation for the book and what makes it stand out compared to other guidebooks that showcases Oregon. You can buy "Extraordinary Oregon!" in plenty fo places online, but the best is at his website, The Ruddy Hill Press.

In this episode, Zach talks with two raft guides about one of Oregon's most famous stretches of whitewater — Hell's Corner Canyon on the Upper Klamath River. This summer will be the last chance to raft the segment of whitewater during summer before dam removal makes future trips different, and perhaps impossible, during the year's hottest months. Pete Wallstrom, owner of Momentum River Expeditions, and Bart Baldwin, owner of Noah's River Adventures, both in Ashland, talk about what makes the river special in its current state, how dam removal will change it and what the future holds for recreation on the Klamath River.

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach talks to Oregon State Climatologist Larry O'Neill about the incoming El Niño pattern and what it means for the state, in addition to an overarching discussion about Oregon's climate future. O'Neill touches on the differences between the La Nina pattern Oregon has been under, and the El Niño one that is expected to arrive next winter and could bring extremely warm conditions. He also gets into how increasingly warm Oregon have impacted the state so far and what we're expected to see in the future.