Rock climbing in Post Falls parks aims higher
There are 165 climbing routes in the Post Falls Community Forest and Q'emiln Park.
Photo courtesy of Chris Celentano and Visit Post Falls
A man makes his way to the top of one of the 165 climbing routes in the parks at Post Falls Community Forest and Q'emiln Park.
A toddler is taught how to rock climb at one of the 165 routes Post Falls Community Forest and Q'emiln Park.
A map of climbing walls in Post Falls.
POST FALLS — The climbing areas of Post Falls Community Forest and Q’emiln Park emerged largely unscathed after the Parkway Fire scorched the area Aug. 4, 2023.
The trees and foliage shielding climbers from the hot sun, however, did not.
The Post Falls Parks Department said the climbing routes are turning over a new leaf through a partnership with the Spokane Mountaineers.
“Formally, this is the first time we’ve had anything established,” Parks Manager Bryan Myers said. “They expressed that for their programs to continue to be sustainable and affordable for the community, they needed something that looks like what we have now.”
About 500 tree saplings will be planted by community volunteers Saturday, April 12, to regrow some of the foliage lost in the fire and because of the effects of boring insects.
Myers said the city has historically relied on community groups to keep an eye on equipment conditions to anticipate replacement for its 165 rock-climbing routes in the parks and potentially chart out new routes.
The City Council has voted to proceed with a memorandum of understanding with the Mountaineers, who have been active in the Inland Northwest since 1915.
The Mountaineers will assist with the development of climbing routes and stewardship of climbing and natural resources. The agreement also permits the Spokane Mountaineers to offer climbing instruction at the parks.
Li Ciavola of the Spokane Mountaineers said the group jumped at the chance to partner with Post Falls.
“We have the intention of helping preserve, restore and enhance the natural landscape of Q’emilin Park through our conservation efforts while using the park to continue delivering recreational climbing education to our community,” Ciavola said.
There is no cost to the city other than administering the program and monitoring insurance.
The group is required to have a certificate of insurance to release the city of liability.
A man makes his way to the top of one of the 165 climbing routes in the parks at Post Falls Community Forest and Q'emiln Park.
A toddler is taught how to rock climb at one of the 165 routes Post Falls Community Forest and Q'emiln Park.
A map of climbing walls in Post Falls.