Pros:
This now 18 hole course is in a well mowed section of Hell's Gate State Park just south of Lewiston along the Snake River. I played in the Tri-Cities, WA for alot of years and this felt like coming home with the Russian Olives, sage brush, and river right by the course.
The course starts from a parking area quite a ways into the park but there is a big sign with course info and a practice basket in the shade, important during hot summer months. Hole 1 is down the path to the right of the practice basket and plays in the field toward the entrance to the park.
The course itself is well laid out in a field with a few clusters of trees, the river along one side, and a narrow ridge along the far end. Most of the front 9 is fairly straight forward, with 2 and 3 playing close to the river. Fortunately, there is a fairly solid line of willows along the river that save me from swimming for my driver on 3.
4 is a deceptive hole, it is fairly short at 158' but the pin is on top of a narrow 10' tall ridge that is easy to overshoot and wind up with the exact same long putt.
The course is fairly easy to follow, altho the map is handy as there are a couple of blind throws. The back 9 plays to the same pins in a varied order that criss-crosses the course and makes for some tough throws through the trees. Once you pick it up it is easy to follow. There are white signs telling which pin to throw to.
One of the big improvements is the course is well mowed. There is no sign of the disc eating weeds discussed in previous reviews. I was afraid they would be bad, thought I would only play a few holes but it is well maintained and I enjoyed all 18 holes.
Cons:
There were only 2 Main Cons for me. The tee boxes are gravel and some are hard to throw from. I've seen worse but have definitely seen better. That and there aren't proper tee boxes for the back 9, I hope those will be part of the continued improvements.
The other is that the back 9 make most of the holes crossing. I understand it's necessary due to they space and it is well done but I have a huge distrust of crossing holes. This doesn't seem to be a very busy course so it isn't as hazardous as it might be.
Sorry, 3. since the back 9 are put in after, there are a couple holes that don't have much of a fairway through the trees. Tough shots but still possible for par.
Other Thoughts:
Overall I liked this course and was glad I played it. It makes a very nice contrast to the park course across town. There is swimming, camping and a museum in the park, plenty to do as well as play. Not a destination course but well worth hitting on the way through.