Bob in the eddy next to the wave at 4200 cfs (4.7 ft visual gauge)   photo: ©Fields

Brian hitting a flip turn in the steep pocket at 4200 cfs   photo: T. Kruger  ©Fields

Hidden away from the road on the Molalla, a couple miles upstream of Feyrer Park is the Weyerhauser Wave. This wave provides a mid-water play spot on The Molalla located just above an old logging bridge. This wave was another of the secret hideaways of a few of the older crowd that used to frequent Bob's Hole before the '96 flood. The Weyerhauser Wave varies from a steep green wave  down to a breaking wave that is fun to grind in short boats.

While roughly the same size as Joe Bob's near 4000 cfs it is much trickier and touchier to surf and prone to surge and change shape while you are riding it. The eddy service also requires a good bit of grunt to punch through the eddy-line and ferry into the good pocket on the wave.

Once you know where this wave is located relative to the road resist the temptation to trespass to get access to it. There is a very vigilant caretaker/watchman that is in residence on the Weyerhauser property that surrounds the section of the river where the wave is located. Perhaps in the future access across the Weyerhauser property to access the wave directly might be obtained but until then enjoy the couple miles of class II and take time to properly warm-up for once before jumping the wave.

There is a good eddy on river-left just behind the wave that runs all the way back to a small sandy beach under the old logging bridge. The eddy-line and current behind the wave are quite strong. Getting into the eddy efficiently requires a bit of effort. Getting onto the wave will probably require a paddle to push their boat over a few rocks along the bank to attain far enough upstream to catch the wave easily.

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 of Feyrer Park might be a good idea to make sure that you won't be wasting your time. A reading of any higher than two to three ticks below five feet on the gauge will be too high for the Weyerhauser Waves. The bottom end for fun play at the Weyerhauser wave ends at two ticks below four and half feet on visual gauge. At these levels the wave has shrunk considerably and can be hard to stay on and requires a light touch to blunt successfully.

Above 9000 cfs: There are a couple of large breaking waves here just upstream of the bridge.

Above 5500 cfs (five feet on the visual gauge): The wave disorganizes into a set of large haystack type waves that aren't destination play material. Strictly bow surfing at these levels on one of the peaks in the wave train.

5000-3500 cfs (one tick below five feet to four and half feet on the visual gauge): These water levels are best for the Weyerhauser Wave. Between 4300 cfs and 3000 cfs there is another good cartwheel hole lower in the same rapid with its own eddy. This lower hole feels a lot like the 12 Mile Hole on the Wilson. Having both a wave and hole in at the same time in a single rapid is a nice combination.

2500 cfs (two ticks below four and half feet on the visual gauge): Is the bottom end for the wave to be fun to surf. As the water levels decline the Wave just keeps getting smaller and the eddy harder to use. The lower hole is still there and will let a quick paddler pull off some carthwheels and blunts.

Intermediate on up. Good eddy service but it might be hard for novice paddlers to get on the wave and if they get on there they probably won't be able to stay on for very long. It is a fast wave and good boat control is required to surf it successfully. Watch out for the Bridge footing and for wood and other debris that can hang up on it.

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 the Molalla River. This is your take-out. Cross the bridge and drive upriver about until you pass a larger Weyerhauser log staging site and tree farm offices. Continue driving upstream until you get to a day use area with river access alongside the road, about 3 miles above Feyrer Park. This day use area is your put-in. It is about twenty minutes down steam to the wave and another twenty minutes past the wave to Feyrer Park.

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.

Get yourself duded up in western attire at one of the cowboy outfitters in Molalla.