Explore Oregon Podcast: Outdoor photography, long-distance hikes and the Chinook Trail

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks with long-distance hiker, photographer and outdoor clothing maker James Parsons about a variety of topics, including the little-known Chinook Trail in the Columbia River Gorge.

Then, he spotlights a little-known, long-distance route through the Columbia Gorge known as the Chinook Trail, and which parts of the trail make for excellent backpacking and which parts offer a fairly brutal experience.

Parsons, probably best known for his photography through his Extreme Oregon Instagram page, talks about the strange place outdoor photography finds itself in 2024, his favorite long-distance hikes and his new business, Magnet Designs, making and selling outdoor clothing.

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Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 16 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors.