Wilbur

VISITOR

The town of Wilbur offers golf, public swimming pool and an outdoor rink for in-line or roller skating.

of Wilbur’s founding father, Samuel Wilbur Condon, after he was killed in a shootout over a woman in January 1895.

coyotes, rabbits, quail and (watch your step) rattlesnakes.

The park is located near the town of Bridgeport on a spur road off Highway 17.

Alta Lake State Park

On a forested side canyon,above the arid valley near Pateros is lovely Alta Lake State Park. Elevation, foliage and the cool waters of Alta Lake make this park a popular summertime attraction. Boating, trout fishing, camping and hiking are some of the many activities available here.

Campers can find standard RV hookups and primitive sites, plus a group camp for clubs and organized groups. Nearby attractions include a golf course, guided horseback rides and boat rentals. To find the park, drive 1.8 miles west on Highway 153 from Pateros, turn left on Alta Lake Road, and follow the signs to the park.

After a busy day, tourists wishing for a little relaxation and entertainment combination are urged to attend a program at Omak’s Performing Arts Center. The organization's ultimate goal is to bring the world’s great performers to Okanogan County in its state-of-the-art theater.

The center presents live music, dance, and serious adult theater. Stand up and clap aloud as family entertainment abounds from the 564-seat center.

Wilbur: visitor friendly

If it‘s outdoor recreation you’re after, Wilbur is the place to be!

Visitors are always welcome to stop by the semi-private Big Bend Golf and Country Club at the west end of town to enjoy a round or two on the challenging nine-hole golf course.

The course features well-maintained greens on a relatively level course with a few sand traps. Rental clubs and carts are available and lessons can be provided for a novice golfer. The clubhouse gives visitors a place to relax and enjoy a cool drink or a bite to eat.

school district, but is available for public use. You can enjoy a jog around the track, a fast-paced game of tennis, or bring a group of family or friends for a game of baseball or touch football.

Across from the creek is the public swimming pool. The Wilbur pool is open throughout the summer months and, for a small fee, local residents and visitors can take advantage of the opportunity for a refreshing swim. The west end features a diving board, and a wading pool for younger children is available at the east end of the facility.

A couple of blocks to the west of the pool, you can find an outdoor rink for in-line or roller skating. Hockey has become a year-round activity at this site.

Extensive recreational opportunities are available within a short distance of town. Hunting, fishing, boating, camping and water skiing are among the most popular of these activities.

If you decide to stay around for a few days at one of the town’s RV parks or motels, be sure to take advantage of the Hesseltine Public Library, located at city hall, a block north of Highway 2 on Division Street. More than 1,000 books are just waiting to be read and enjoyed.

The Big Bend Historical Society Museum, located in a former church building a block north of Sandy’s Thrift, allows the visitor to step back into Wilbur’s past. Among the many items on display is the gun taken from the hand Emerson Park, at the east end of town, belongs to the

Sometimes it’s the destination, but sometimes it’s the journey

The Grand Coulee Dam area is at the center of a lot of great country to see, and day trips there and back can add a lot to your visit.

Above left, a visitor to the lower Grand Coulee takes in the view at Dry Falls State Park, just past Coulee City on SR-17. Above right, competitors in the world famous Omak Stampede and Suicide Race plunge on horseback down a steep slope toward the Okanogan River in Omak. The event, with complete rodeo, happens the second weekend in August. Lower left, bicyclists on the road from Hartline, to our south, make their way back to the coulee. The area melds the north end of the Palouse prairies with the scablands formed by the great floods that gouged out the Grand Coulee. These back roads offer awesome views, especially with a partly cloudy sky.

VISITOR

Fall colors and brilliant skies on the Candy Point Trail in Coulee Dam. Hiking the Coulee

The Grand Coulee area offers a wide variety of hiking opportunities for those who love trekking the great outdoors. From peaceful forest, to sage deserts, to sandy beaches, and rocky terrain, the area has a little bit of everything.

Steamboat Rock is a bit steep and difficult to ascend at first, but once on top the panoramic view is breathtaking. You’ll have views of the coulees, Banks Lake, Okanogan National Forest, and the Cascades far in the distance. There are approximately 640 acres on top of the 800-foot-tall mesa to explore.

In Northrup Canyon, hikers will find thousands of acres of enchanting forest, bald eagles, and an early pioneer homestead. Crescent Bay, Crescent Lake, and Eden Harbor have beaches to swim, fish, or explore. Banks Lake also has Jones Bay and Osborne Bay, which are pleasant to camp at or explore. The Candy Point Trail in Coulee Dam ascends stone steps to both Candy Point and Crown Point, offering some of the best views of the dam, the Columbia River, and the town of Coulee Dam. The Downriver Trail is a nice, gravel trail that stretches along the Columbia River for 6 miles from near the dam to Spirit Ridge, with many access points and parking areas along the trail. A great place to watch the river flow. The Coulee Dam historical walk stretches from Freedom Point to across the bridge, where there are many informative signs detailing the construction of the dam. From there, head to the right toward the small bridge where a long sidewalk leads up the hill towards city hall, and footbridges and trails to the side lead to Cole Park.

A few cautions: Do not wander too near the edge of the coulee walls. Basalt is not as stable as you may think, so stand a respectable distance from the edge.

Be aware that this is rattlesnake country, and while they are generally not lethal, they should be avoided. You will find them (or hear them) most often during the summer months. While not particularly aggressive, they have been known to bite. If bitten, seek medical help. Finally, if you plan to hike an hour or more, carry plenty of water to

quench your thirst and prevent leg cramps. Read more about these hikes and more on our website at

www.gcdvisitor.com under the “Hikes” section. 40