| Description:
Four tenths of a mile upstream and just around
the bend from The Weyerhauser Wave are a interesting group of
conglomerate ledges. These ledges form some shallow and very fickle
holes when the flow is optimal for the Weyerhauser waves. However
when the flow increases to about 7000 cfs on the Canby gauge, then
suddenly these ledges generate a very large wave and few lesser
wave.
This large wave is located right out in
middle of the river adjacent to an island much like Granny's Wave on
the Wenatchee River. Similarly to Granny's Wave there is no direct
eddy service to this large wave, however the slack water behind the
island next to the wave forms an eddy which allows you to attain
further upstream than the wave. Once you are well above the wave you
just jump out of your boat and cross the island and put back in for
another ride on the wave. On your way downstream to the big wave you
have the opportunity to surf the a lesser wave before getting down
to the large wave. |
| Eddy Service:
No direct eddy service. However there is a
large slack eddy behind the island next to the wave that will let
you get far enough upstream to easily access that wave after a short
portage across the island |
| Water Levels:
Keep in mind that the
gauge on the Molalla is located many miles down river in Canby close
to the Willamette. The Molalla is a small drainage prone to rapid
fluctuations during and after rain and/or snowmelt events. The water
levels that the gauge indicates may lag significantly behind what
the actual water level is on the upper river. Checking the visual
gauge on the downstream side of the bridge at Feyrer Park might be a
good idea to make sure that you won't be wasting your time.
You will need a reading of
above six feet
on the gauge for the wave to be in at all. However the wave is very
shallow and good for spinning and grinding only until the visual
gauge reaches well over six and half feet . The main waves turns
into a wave hole above seven feet that will let you link up the
cartwheels and big blunts.
7000 cfs: This is the bare minimum for
the wave to be in.
14000cfs: is the suspected top end for this
feature though no one has seen this wave flush out.
|
| Gauge: Molalla at Canby. |
| Season: Rainy Season, October to May
during or after periods of heavy rain and/or snowmelt |
| Difficulty:
Intermediate on up. While most paddlers with
a strong ferry will be able to catch the wave, those with out a
quick roll will likely miss the eddy below the island and have to
invest a considerable amount of energy getting back the eddy behind
the island. This wave is only in during high water events so the
river will be pushy and the banks brushy. |
| Driving Directions:
Make your way to the town of Molalla, Oregon.
On the East outskirts of town (Highway 211) follow the signs and
head East to Feyrer Park (Charges a $3 day use fee on weekends) on the Molalla
River. This is your take-out. Cross the bridge and drive upriver on
S Dickey Prairie. Continue driving upstream until you get to a day use
area undeveloped with river access alongside the road, about 3 miles above Feyrer
Park. This day use area is your put-in. It is about fifteen minutes
downsteam to the wave and another ten minutes past the wave to Feyrer Park. |
| GPS Location:
45°06.847 N, 122°32.261 W |
| Closest Town: Molalla, Or |
| Closest Services:
If you need gas, food or anything else
Molalla is just a few minutes away. If looking for a hardy breakfast
in Molalla try out the Corral Cafe. |
| Other Local Attractions if the play isn't
in:
Get yourself duded up in western attire at
one of the cowboy outfitters in Molalla. |
| Closest Camping: There are numerous
campsites along upper the Molalla River. From Feyrer Park,
cross the river there and drive upriver and cross the next bridge
into the Molalla River Recreation Area. There are numerous campsites
along the river in the next few miles. |
| Local's Tips: The locals out here
will tell you the wave doesn't exist. They have been keeping it
quiet for years. |
| Local Kayak Shops: Alder Creek and
Next Adventure are shops to hit in Portland. |
