I feel as though I hit the jackpot today! This morning we hiked in Northrup Canyon on Banks Lake. That hike was a real show-stopper, bar none my favorite desert hike. Driving north we wanted to visit this CCC built, Grand Coulee Dam era trail. The WTA guidebook entry shows a short flight of granite block stairs. How fun right?

Those handful of old granite stairs were just the tip of the iceberg. There were hundreds, if not a thousand hand-crafted granite stairs tortuously winding up this steeper than steep canyon. Better yet, in our research we discovered that this is actually a loop trail!

Candy Point sits just up valley (yet down river) from the Grand Coulee Dam. Love it or hate it, it is hard not to be impressed with this in-your-face view of America's fourth largest dam. Built during the depression, the trailhead now falls on private property. The owners graciously allow foot traffic to cross their pristine lawn. Both ends of the loop trail, which ascends and descends different canyons, are terraced with rocks and were one used as an orchard. Crusty old fruit trees still fill the canyon with shade.

Up and up the staircase goes, at times doubling back on itself every five or six steps. After a bit the steepness relents and the trail forks. The right fork goes to the Crown Point Vista unit of Steamboat Rock State Park. Don't bother, the views are no better than what you've already had. Staying left we ascended to the summit of Candy Point littered with bitterroot, lichens, and crusty desert flowers. The trail descends down towards town hall in Grand Coulee. More of the magical stairs make for a pleasant descent. Note the vintage aqueduct suspended high above the canyon floor to your right.

We were thrilled with this little used trail. Our Coulee roadtrip ended here. We had intent on one more hike which was near Omak Lake. When we got near to it we recalled (were reminded by signs) that the Colville Nation is still closed to outsiders due to Covid. All in good time, we will be back.

Wow this trail is no joke, warning was legit. Now on the way up we see there is an outlook point you can park and start the trail there without doing the steep stairs 🤦‍♀️ but i mean the workout was great. However on the way down it was all mush and muddy would recommend boots. Just at the top though the rest is dry and rough. The guy that lives where we have to cross his yard came out to talk to us. Told us how his dad and him would hike that all the time... his dad was 85 and still doing that trail until he passed away. Very nice gentleman.

Overnight work party with the WTA, spent a long time make the creek easier to cross, clearing rock slides, rebuilding rock walls, doing tread improvements, and myriad other tasks.

Totally worth it -- the hike is a steep and slightly difficult one with some hazardous loose stones / switchbacks and steep rock stairs where footing can be difficult, but the view from the top is incredible.  I don't think you'll find a better view of the Dam and surrounding landscape than this spot.

Yellow jackets were all over, though a bit sleepy from the cold, and a team member saw a rattlesnake in the rocks.  So, pay attention and keep an eye out for safety.