Donner Pass - Rock Climbing

 The incredibly rocky and historic Donner Pass lies about 90 miles northeast of Sacramento, California and just to the west of Donner Lake and Truckee, California. Yes, this is the famous Pass that the Donner Party met their demise in during the early days of the old west.

Besides its infamous history, in the modern day, this area also has spectacular granite with domelike walls, vertical cliffs with overhangs, and subtle ramps on multi-pitched slabs, it has it all! What’s even more impressive about this popular area is that both sport and traditional climbing routes live in harmony with each other. It has not succumbed to the destruction of over bolting, graffiti, or rubbish along its trails. The beginner climber can top rope, a leader can clip bolts or place gear, and a soloist has ample places to boulder.

Upon reaching the summit, you will start to see some of the rock walls. The first wall you will come to is the "Stealth and Black Wall" on your right. Further up the road is the "Road Cut," and "Peanut Gallery" with the "Space Wall" up the hill from the aforementioned. Eventually you will come into the meat of the summit and you will see the "Snow Shed Wall" to the left. Below the obvious bridge is the "Green Phantom, and Sun Walls". Past the bridge you will come to"School Rock," "Baboon Crag," and lastly "Goldilocks".

Believe it or not, that’s not all! If you park below "School Rock" and hike up the trail, you will find the "Star Walls" (which incidentally hold the hardest of all the climbs) after the Star Walls you will come to the "Grouse Slab" and the amazing boulders that directly overlook the Lake.

Descent: All walls have a walk off section. Its just a matter of finding the path of least resistance and following it.

When all is said and done for the days climbing activities; you can go down to the North Shore of Donner Lake and enjoy one of the many public use piers. Take pleasure in the pristine blue waters of the lake.

Minnehaha - Rock Climbing

Minnehaha climbing area is officially the John Shields Park, but known to the locals as Minnehaha. Located in inside the city limits of Spokane. WA and along the Spokane River makes for easy access but a nice environment.

The Park has numerous hiking trails, which wind there way through the park and along the cliffs. Access is easy from the parking lot and there are restrooms.

This is a top rope climbing area and there are trails that lead to the top for easy access in setting up ropes. Most routes are single pitch routes with fixed bolts for anchors and range from 5.0 to 5.13 based on the Yosemite Decimal System.

There are 80ft walls, overhangs, cracks and numerous bouldering spots. The main wall for most climbers is located just out of the parking lot. The wall does have some graffiti, but in the past few years the Parks Dept. and local climbers have really began to clean up the area.

Q'emiln Park

Q'emiln Park winds through four miles of the very green and lush Spokane River gorge near Post Falls, ID, making it a unique climbing park in the sport of rock climbing. The name Q'emiln is pronounced (Ka-mee-lin) which by the language of the Coeur d'Alene Indians means, " throat or gorge of the river".

Conveniently located with the city limits makes for easy access and accessible amenities. There's a park with a beach, boat launch bathrooms and barbecues.

The Park has fourteen trails, which wind there way through the river gorge and along side cliffs that have been carved out over time for ideal rock climbing routes. Most routes are single pitch routes with fixed bolts for anchors and range from 5.0 to 5.13 based on the Yosemite Decimal System.

You just need basic top rope gear and if the front walls are crowded, just hike back into the gorge and do some exploring to find all kinds of climbs.

Note: In the parking lot there is a Large Map of all the trails and walls. The main wall for most climbers is the Lower Ledge Wall.

Directions: From I-90 at Post Falls take the Spokane Street exit and drive south across the bridge and take your 1st right. Continue down to the Park entrance, go through the gate and park about 50 yards down the road on the left or right.