Trail Wave / Hero Hole

Location:  Trail, Columbia River.

Directions:  400 metres west (towards Trail) from the turnoff to the mall.    Park in the turn out, or take the small high clearance/4 wheel drive access road under the Highway sign down to the put in. 

What you will find.....  Depending on the water level, there's either a World class play hole (Hero Hole) or a glassy surfing wave (Trail Wave), or both! Not to mention a handful of other play features that present at higher water levels including HUGE whirlpools on the South end of Rock Island. Depending on the water level, there is always something to play on somewhere along this section of the Columbia River. But be warned as at some water levels that new carbon paddle will get eaten up by freaky water or shallow ledges.   Lots of folk swim at this location due to the hefty boil lines behind the regular wave/hole feature, but the river is clear with a massive pool behind you for collecting swimmers and any of their junk.

Best Time(s) of Year/Grade:  Unfortunately, mid to late winter is the best time for the wave/hole feature. Best levels are anything under 3.8metres, the lower the better for the wave, 3.2-3.5m is ideal for the hole. These levels generally occur in October, and January through till late March, sometimes into April if we are lucky.

Late spring and summer levels of 6.5-7 metres will provide thrills and chills on the "Stacks Wave" (river left of rock island) and "Industrial Hole" (river left, first hole/eddy line).  "One Shot" wave appears at approximately 6.0 metres and is located 150 metres downstream of Rock Island. It is formed by the ledge paddlers sit behind when waiting for their turn at the hero hole in much lower levels.

Water level info:   BC HYDRO