Explore Oregon Podcast: Shellburg Falls reopens, but Valley of the Giants closed long-term

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness reports on two beloved places — one that is reopening after a major wildfire and another that just closed because of a huge landslide.

Shellburg Falls Recreation Area reopened this past weekend, and Urness talks about how the experience of visiting the 100-foot waterfall and surrounding trails has changed — in some cases dramatically. He talks to recreation officials who break down what to expect in terms of burned forest and altered trailheads and trails at the popular site east of Salem.

Then, Urness reports on how a debris flow has closed access toValley of the Giants, home to some of Oregon's largest and oldest trees in the Coast Range located west of Salem. Urness details how a massive debris flow closed the road leading to the Giants and when it might reopen. Then, he talks about the history of the site and the Salem barber and World War II vet who helped preserve the Giants.

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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.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Shellburg Falls open, Valley of the Giants closed: Podcast