LOCAL CLIMBING SPOTS: EXPLORING TUBBS HILL
We’re back with another highlight of the best local climbing spots in the Coeur d’Alene / Post Falls area! Today’s feature is Tubbs Hill, a beloved Coeur d’Alene icon.
ABOUT TUBBS HILL
Located on a peninsula in the city of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Tubbs Hill comprises 165 acres of natural park. It’s bordered by Lake Coeur d'Alene on the west, south, and east, and includes several miles of hiking trails. The 2.2 mile main trail runs from the trailhead on the west side of Tubbs Hill, located in the southwestern corner of McEuen Park, to the eastern trailhead at the south end of 10th Street. The trails are generally wide, if rocky, and dotted with swimming holes along the lake.
Tubbs is mostly untouched and provides an urban wilderness area on the edge of the city, reachable only on foot. Part of the Coeur d’Alene parks system, Tubbs Hill has a peak elevation of 2,503 feet and offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area. Its beauty and proximity make it a popular spot, receiving an estimated average of about 2,000 visitors per day in summer 2023. Tubbs is named for the German immigrant who claimed the land in 1882. By 1969, the area encompassing Tubbs Hill was made public land for all to enjoy. It is maintained for the public by the Tubbs Hill Foundation and the Friends of Tubbs Hill.
While beautiful, many people may think of Tubbs Hill more as a hiking/walking destination than a climbing one. True, the boulders at Tubbs Hill tend to be low and sometime crumbly. However, the hill is also a hidden gem featuring many different boulders with a wide range of moves, scattered across its network of trails. Most of the climbing is on the west side of Tubbs, close to the McEuen entrance.
GET THE GUIDE
Curious to know more? We’re thrilled to announce that we have a very special, brand-new local resource available! Our own Coeur Climbing member Owen Harro has written and published a guidebook to climbing at Tubbs Hill. This is the first ever guidebook of its kind, and the only Coeur d’Alene / Post Falls guidebook published in decades, so we are delighted to have this resource!
The book features 50+ climbs and variations to enjoy on all parts of Tubbs Hill and contains two sections: West Tubbs and South Tubbs. It includes projects for all levels, from newbies to experienced climbers. It’s the perfect guide to the best climbs on Tubbs, and includes a detailed map of the trails and descriptions of each project.
Owen’s top tips for climbing at Tubbs include:
Follow the principle of “leave no trace” when climbing Tubbs Hill. This beloved landmark is a public treasure and we want to keep it that way for future generations. Clean up all trash, stay on trails when possible, and minimize erosion damage and plant damage.
Make sure you have the right gear! Bouldering outdoors is much different than indoors, requiring different skills and equipment. Make sure to always have a bouldering pad on hand, and someone to spot you.
If you’re new to outdoor climbing, you may find you can’t top anything your first time, but don’t let this discourage you! Bouldering outdoors can be extremely rewarding. Reach out to experienced climbers at your local gym for advice and company!
Eager to check it out yourself? Pick up your guidebook at Coeur Climbing on your next visit!
