Usually this is a strange time of year for the rock-climber population. It’s still pretty cold out, and often, there’s that pesky snow and ice to deal with. But this year? Winter has almost been too ideal for climbers. “We’ve been lucky with a winter like this. This winter has been prime conditions,” says Mike […]
Smith rock
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Beacon to the Backcountry
Pete Keane – Timberline Mountain Guides
When I meet Pete Keane in the office of Timberline Mountain Guides, he’s pretty clear he doesn’t necessarily want to be there. I don’t take it personally, though, because really, what human can compete with the grace and solitude of the mountains? “I like being out with people and instructing them and being out in […]
Posted inNews
Bored with Your Summer Already?
Check out these summer fun ideas, just in time for the official start of the season
The official start of the summer season upon us, and the days are open for all types of summer adventures. Just in case you don’t already have your summer stuffed full of activities, we’ve rounded up a whole bunch of activities happening around the area—perfect for anyone wanting to get out in the sun this […]
Posted inNews
Enough Love
A climbing group wants to build a guest house adjacent to Smith Rock, a place some claim is already “loved to death.” Meanwhile, a new Master Plan for the park is still in flux.
Whether for hiking, biking, climbing or just taking photos, there’s no doubt that Smith Rock State Park is an appealing stop in Central Oregon. Travel Oregon capitalized on that with its “7 Wonders of Oregon” marketing campaign, including the park as one of the wonders of Oregon. That campaign is one of the reasons Al […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Smith Rock Cuisine
Farm to Fork provides food with a view
There’s been quite a bit written lately about Smith Rock. Most of that writing has been about the overcrowding and the long wait—so it’s easy to forget why the site is so popular in the first place. As Central Oregonians, we know how beautiful and downright majestic Smith Rock is, so obviously people from all […]
Posted inNews
Swarming Smith Rock
Finding solutions to the growing number of park visitors
If Central Oregonians were to compile a list of complaints about living here, it’d probably be a short list. But it’s a safe guess what the number one problem would be: too many people are coming here. Nowhere is this more apparent than at the state parks around the area—and the park hit the hardest […]
Posted inCulture
Rayni Williams’ Unique Vision
Rayni Williams’ photography tells a story, calmly. Her nature work, cityscapes and portraits find the ghosts hidden within regular perception. For example, a rain-drenched bench downtown late at night doesn’t just convey the chilly expanse of the evening; instead, her lens finds the isolation of the moment. A photo of Smith Rock doesn’t just capture […]
Posted inNews
Sourcecast Audio: Smith Rock Interview with Mike Volk, by Brian Jennings
Brian Jennings interviews local legend Mike Volk of SmithRock.com in this podcast about the history and local lore of Smith Rock, one of Central Oregon’s greatest wonders.
Posted inNews
Smith Rock Podcast Interview with Mike Volk, by Brian Jennings
Brian Jennings interview local legend Mike Volk of SmithRock.com in this podcast about the history and local lore of Smith Rock, one of Central Oregon’s greatest wonders.
Posted inOutside
Smith Rock Love
Mike and Marcia Volk of SmithRock.com
Central Oregon’s majestic Smith Rock State Park is considered to be one of Oregon’s “Seven Wonders” by Travel Oregon, the state agency that promotes tourism. It is also considered to be one of the world’s premiere rock climbing destinations and the number of visitors to the park has grown to approximately 900,000 per year. Most […]