| Description: Just upstream from
the Spokane Area's favorite low water play spot, Sullivan Hole is the
Mini-Climax Wave. Mini-Climax is a 15-20 foot wide breaking wave
with a surgy and dynamic nature. The wave varies a lot with the water level.
At lower water level near 4500 cfs the pile is thicker and more
retentive and it is easier to get through blunts and cartwheels. At
higher levels near 7000 cfs the wave becomes more green and fickle
and many paddlers find it hard to stay on the wave after throwing a
vertical move. Many paddlers play it safe and do a lot spinning.
These fickle higher water levels transform Mini-Climax into a
epic looping spot. I have heard more
than one paddler claim to have gotten their largest air loops ever
at Mini-Climax around 5700 cfs. |
| Eddy Service: Mini-Climax has a
decent eddy but eddy on river-left just downstream. However a delayed roll or
a hard flush form the outside of the wave will mean you will
probably miss the eddy (especially above 5700 cfs) and have to walk
back up to the eddy. So paddle hard after you flush and power your
way into the eddy |
| Water Levels:
4300 cfs:
The bottom end for Mini-Climax
5000-6000 cfs:
The magic level for throwing air loops.
7000 cfs:
The top end for Mini Climax. The Wave is starting to green out |
| Gauge: Spokane River at Post Falls.
Currently this gauge is posting information that is a day old so
observe the trend and make your best guess as to where to play. |
| Season: Winter, Early Spring, Early
Summer |
Difficulty: No real dangers but
beginners will probably have a hard time making the eddy on a
regular basis.
|
| Driving Directions: From I-90 heading
East from Spokane take The Barker Road - Greenacres Exit (293). Turn
left at the end of the off-ramp from I-90 and drive North on Barker
road a half mile then turn left onto Mission Road, heading West at
the Barker Community Learning Center. Following Mission until it
becomes a gravel road after crossing Flora Road until it dead ends
at the Centennial Trail (paved bike path). Park your car there and
walk upstream along Centennial Trail about a 1/4 mile until you get
to the wave near the second park bench you will pass.
From I-90 heading West from Post Falls, ID take The Barker Road -
Greenacres Exit (293). Turn right at the end of the off-ramp from
I-90 and drive North on Barker road a 0.3 miles then turn left onto
Mission Road, heading West at the Barker Community Learning Center.
Following Mission until it becomes a gravel road after crossing
Flora Road until it dead ends at the Centennial Trail (paved bike
path). Park your car there and walk upstream along Centennial Trail
about a 1/4 mile until you get to the wave near the second park
bench you will pass. |
| Closest Town: Liberty Lake, WA |
| Closest Services: Spokane is just a
few minute away on I-90 |
| Other Local Attractions if the play isn't
in: Most likely more or more play spots will be in. |
| Closest Camping: There are numerous
campgrounds around Lake Couer d'Alene to the East on I-90. |
| Local's Tips: If it is too low for
Mini-Climax check out Sullivan Hole just downstream, If Mini-Climax
is in consider taking in another session at the Trailer Park Wave. |
| Local Kayak Shops:
Mountain Gear in Spokane. |
