The trailhead for Candy Point is a bit obscure but we found it, located on the west side of North Columbia Ave. As other write ups say, you cross over a lush green lawn, and ahead of you is another trailhead sign. Here it quickly goes up on the many granite steps built by the CCC. It’s a steep trail alright especially if you don’t like steps but because it is so short, it doesn’t seem all that bad. Be sure to turn around often to enjoy the view. It helps take your mind from the steepness.
About a 1/3 of a mile up is an unsigned junction. Right takes you to Crown Point Vista, about 200’ more uphill, then the trail levels and you are almost at Crown Point. The large gravel parking lot gives you great views of the Grand Coulee dam as well as the nightly laser show during the summer months. This is a must see if you have not done so.
We went left at the junction, steadily climbing up some more on switchbacks, no more steps. The view from up here is even more spectacular. A lovely surprise was all the Lewisia rediviva (Bitterroot) that we saw. This is a perennial herb growing mainly in high altitude deserts and can regenerate from dry and seemingly dead roots
At the top of the plateau, the trail levels out somewhat before heading down through another canyon with more steps and eventually crosses Fiddle creek. The good news is that there is some much appreciated shade in here due to the trees which look like cherry trees to me. I can’t imagine why someone would want to plant orchard trees in this canyon, An old rusted aqueduct is still hanging onto the canyon wall.
This loop trail came out behind the Police station/city hall. We took an obvious sidewalk trail heading to the left taking us back to our car which was parked at a public parking near the trailhead. 1.5 mile loop/670 feet gain according to Gaia. This trail is not on the Gaia app.
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