North Idaho is one of the best kept secrets for rock climbs in the Northwest, offering top quality adventure close to home for all skill levels. Q’emiln Park (ka Mee lin) in Post Falls is the best 5.10 and below cragging area in the Inland Northwest. From I-90 Exit 5, Spokane Street, south across the Spokane River bridge to the park entrance. From parking to climbing is just .25 miles round trip making Q’emiln the most easy to access in the region. Parking pay station is open seasonally or park on the street and walk in. Q’emiln Park Trail System signage is just inside the park. North Idaho College Outdoor Pursuits Club and the Kootenai Klimbers received the Western US Access Fund Adopt-A-Crag of the Year Award for their work in maintaining the walls for the sport climber.
On the east side of Priest Lake is Chimney Rock. From Coolin, travel 7.4 miles on Cavanaugh Bay Road to Forest Road 24. At the Hunt Creek bridge the road intersects with the E. Lakeshore Road. Stay on Road 24 for 4 miles until the fork in the road. Go left onto Forest Road 2. Travel 1.6 miles to Forest Road 25 then 4.1 miles to trailhead parking. Climbs are a two hour hike in from parking area. There are 35+ routes, 5.3 to 5.11+. 400-450 vertical depending on side.
Castle Rock in Kingston is off I-90 Exit 43, go north to the Beehive cutoff. Go over the Coeur d’Alene River and turn right (north). The crag is at mile 11.5 on west side. The trail is on the south side of the small stream.
The recently opened Coeur d’Alene Kroc Community Center offers a rock climbing pinnacle which provides a variety of climbing routes for people of all skill sets. Day passes are available. www.kroccda.org