Our Oregon Outdoors

02/09/2025

Willamette Valley snow and freezing rain is forecast for Wednesday to Friday next week. We've had some major ice storm disasters in recent years but here's what NWS Portland is saying about how this event could shake out: https://tinyurl.com/2s3rxfyj

"At a minimum we do expect to see travel impacts."

Meteorologists are tracking a weather system that could bring snow and freezing rain to the Willamette Valley on Wednesday and Friday.

02/08/2025

Nick Tolman was enjoying his second day at Bolan Mountain Lookout with his 3-year-old daughter, in September 2020, when he noticed a puff of smoke on the southern horizon.

It was a blaze that would become the Slater Fire, which ripped across 156,700 acres and burned the beloved lookout.

Then a funny thing happened: An unexpected partnership between the Forest Service and Siskyou Mountain Club, fueled by a crew of volunteers, helped rebuild the lookout last summer and infuse it with some new life, including fire resistant materials.

It should reopen for rental next summer.

A story of an evacuation, loss and everything it took to rebuild: https://tinyurl.com/rxpy9re8

Photos by USFS and Trevor Meyer.

After Bolan Mountain Lookout burned down, the U.S. Forest Service formed an alliance with a trails group to rebuild a popular Oregon lookout rental.

02/04/2025

The best chance for Willamette Valley snow this week comes tonight and tomorrow morning — but it might not amount to much. That is not the case, however, in the foothills, mountains and southern/central/eastern Oregon. Rounded up all of what's happening:

The combination of cool temperatures and showery weather has meant Willamette Valley snow is possible at lower elevations throughout this week.

02/03/2025

Turned a podcast on the massive trove of groundwater below the Cascade Mountains in Oregon into a Q&A style story. Really interesting science and major implications for the future.

Below Mount Jefferson and McKenzie Pass is a massive storehouse of water three times the size of Lake Mead, say Oregon researchers.

02/01/2025

After a fight that's been going on for years now, the Oregon State Marine Board limited fast-moving jet boats and charter tours on the Upper Rogue River. It didn't outlaw it entirely, but there are some new rules just going into place:

The Oregon State Marine Board outlawed fast-moving jet boats on the Upper Rogue River after a long and contentious battle.

01/29/2025

A Portland man died last weekend while hiking and climbing the Cooper Spur Trail area of Mount Hood, according to the Hood River County Sheriff's Office. His body was recovered on Monday.

A Portland man died last weekend while hiking the Cooper Spur Trail area of Mount Hood. His body was recovered on Monday.

01/28/2025

Oregon's weather is about to get a lot more interesting. Rain and mountain snow returns this weekend, and low-elevation snow and ice will become possible next week: https://tinyurl.com/4zkhuwdf

01/27/2025

In the latest Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talked about:
-Where to snowshoe thru old-growth, to mountain views, and spend a night
-Why the plan is to nearly Detroit Lake next fall
-Updates on McKenzie Pass being 'closed' to bikes in spring, snowmobiles in winter
Listen: https://tinyurl.com/42yn5wc8

10/31/2024

Have a care out there. This incident had a happy ending thanks to search and rescue with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office - Oregon.

A mushroom hunter who’d become lost and exhausted was rescued last Friday near the Drift Creek Wilderness outside of Waldport.

10/29/2024

Grab bag of weather reports:
-NW Oregon got 1-4 inches of rain during the weekend.
-We've got another 1-4 on the way later this week
-Looking at maybe 1 foot of snow on high Cascade passes later this week
-And so, wildfire season is officially over
Full report: https://tinyurl.com/5n6dm7ca
Snap via Chris Pietsch

10/27/2024

This is both a big deal and a very strange situation. But basically, Oregon Department of Transportation says McKenzie Pass Highway is closed to biking/skiing/snowmobiling in the offseason. They're asking people not to go there due to safety concerns ... despite decades of popular recreation on the alpine highway. I went down a deep rabbit hole on this one. It has sparked A LOT of confusion and anger:

The scenic highway typically closes to cars between late fall and June but has been used by generations to ski, snowmobile and hike in the offseason.

10/22/2024

Forest Service officials are seeking info about the person or group that has been placing homemade spike strips and other dangerous traps across roads and trails in remote southwest Oregon: https://tinyurl.com/ypp7u3fs

10/21/2024

Snow or no?

The winter forecast always draws a lot of interest. I talked with Oregon State climatologist on the latest Explore Oregon Podcast about what we're expecting with this winter with a weak La Nina (and why it could be a good one for mountain & valley snow).

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks with state climatologist Larry O'Neill about the forecast for this winter.

10/21/2024

Fire officials reopened access to the popular Marion Lake area in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness on Monday after the Bingham Fire became 100% contained: https://tinyurl.com/9danwfab

10/17/2024

Oregon has above-average chances for a snowier winter than normal, fueled by a weak La Nina, according to the latest winter outlook from NOAA: https://tinyurl.com/bdwndjb8

Bunch of fun notes in here. To wit:

Since 1981, there have been eight winters with weak La Niñas. Six brought above-average mountain snowpack. Since 1940, there have been 25 weak La Niña years. In Portland, 13 of those years have brought above average snow in the Rose City.

“It does seem to favor low elevation snow,” O’Neill said. “It brought lowland snow more often than I’d thought.”

10/16/2024

FYI: First snowfall of the season headed to mountain pass level on Thursday, with decent bit apparently accumulating above 4,000 feet.

A winter weather advisory has been issued for Thursday in Oregon’s high mountain passes for the first snow of the season.

10/16/2024

New podcast! We talk about (maybe) the most beautiful backpacking route in the Three Sisters, plus the glory of float tube fishing backcountry lakes, with a few favorite spots so far.

Listen: https://tinyurl.com/4j39fujk

10/11/2024

Went deep on coho salmon in Oregon, and the remarkable situation happening now in the Willamette River in the latest Explore Oregon Podcast with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. We also talked about good places and methods to catch em: https://tinyurl.com/3999uf65