Jen Sotolongo

Graced by a skyline crowned with the Blue and Wallowa mountains, the Grande Ronde Valley has a long history of agricultural production, with fertile ground tended by Indigenous peoples for millenia. This part of Eastern Oregon was a stop on the Oregon Trail, and some settlers stayed put, creating farms that have been managed by the same family for well over 100 years. More

If you’re out on the trails in Central Oregon and see a fellow hiker in heels, a big red wig or flowing feathery wings, it just might be local celebrity, environmental activist and drag queen Pattie Gonia (she/they). Known for her support of queer-friendly outdoors recreation and climate justice video campaigns, she’s sure to be wearing something fabulous, but also upcycled and low-waste. More

Eastern Oregon is rugged, isolated, and filled with long, empty trails that beckon trail runners to enjoy solitude along stunning single-track. Due to the higher altitudes, which range between 5,000 and 10,000 feet, the best time of year to visit is July through October, when the snow will have melted and the wildflowers will be in full bloom. Three experts who know the trails well share their favorite routes and tips for trail-running adventures with us. More

The concept of the FKT has been around for about 20 years but has seen a surge recently. Inspired by the achievements of their peers, Oregon runners added a whopping 29 new FKTs in 2020, including the Steens Range Traverse (75 miles), the Crater Rim Trail (20.73 miles) and the Crown-Zellerbach Trail (23 miles). During a three-week span in summer 2020 alone, women bested the existing times for unsupported circumnavigation of the 40-mile Timberline Trail around Mt. Hood. More

The concept of the FKT has been around for about 20 years but has seen a surge recently. Inspired by the achievements of their peers, Oregon runners added a whopping 29 new FKTs in 2020, including the Steens Range Traverse (75 miles), the Crater Rim Trail (20.73 miles) and the Crown-Zellerbach Trail (23 miles). During a three-week span in summer 2020 alone, women bested the existing times for unsupported circumnavigation of the 40-mile Timberline Trail around Mt. Hood. More

After two days of riding alongside cars, the start of the Cascading Rivers Scenic Bikeway felt almost eerily quiet. The tall pines cast long shadows across the road, blocking the sun from beating down on us for most of the day. Bright pink foxgloves and purple lupine lined the roads, escorting us along the gradual uphill. More

We grinded out revolution after revolution, waving to cyclists coming down who had passed us only a couple hours earlier on their way up. The steep roads never seemed to flatten, yet, we felt such immense joy to be among so many cyclists on such a beautiful day. More

I wanted to travel through the state I call home and visit the places I’ve never seen. I know the best way to do this is by bicycle, so I planned a cycle tour of Oregon that would hit some of our favorite spots. More