Over the Labour Day long weekend, I joined a hike led by Vernon Outdoors Club (VOC). Our route was Little White Mountain (via Canyon Lakes), located in the Okanagan Highlands near Kelowna. Hiking this classic trail alongside a group of local outdoor enthusiasts made the experience truly memorable.
My Little White Mountain Hiking Experience
Little White Mountain, at 2,171 meters, is one of the few hikes in the Okanagan Valley offering 360° panoramic views. Walking on the massive granite slabs at the summit, you can see West Kelowna, Okanagan Lake, and the surrounding rolling hills. In the distance, I finally spotted what I had been most excited to see: the ski runs at Big White Ski Resort!
Unlike its “older brother” Big White (2,315 m), Little White hasn’t been commercially developed and retains a more wild, pristine character. This makes it not a casual family stroll—both the drive and the hike require some planning and patience. But it’s precisely this remoteness that makes the experience so pure.
The Real Challenge: Getting to the Trailhead
Although the hike itself is of moderate difficulty, the real test is reaching the trailhead by car. We drove from Highway 33 onto Forest Service Road 201. The first twenty-plus kilometers were smooth dirt roads, allowing a decent speed. But the final 5 kilometers near the trailhead were a completely different story – narrow, rocky, and rough, barely wide enough for one vehicle. Alltrails even marks it as a snowmobile-only route. It took us about an hour to reach the parking lot. That day we were 16 hikers, traveling in four pickup trucks. By the time we returned, two more vehicles had joined – also pickups and Jeeps.
Hiking Stats
Starting from Highland Trail Parking, my Alltrails record shows:
- Round-trip distance: 11.82 km
- Total elevation gain: 627 m
- Total time: 5 hours (moving time 4 hours 10 minutes)
The Little White Mountain Trail via Canyon Lakes is rated moderate difficulty.
Little White Mountain Hike – Trailhead & Route
The trail enters the forest immediately and starts climbing almost right away. Around the first kilometer, you’ll cross short sections of large rocky terrain. Then, the trail transitions into a gentler zig-zag climb, offering the first viewpoint over Canyon Lakes.
As you gain elevation, the path moves into sub-alpine meadows and exposed rocky slopes. By late August, wildflowers are mostly gone, with clusters of green leaves turning deep red and a few Indian Paintbrush scattered around.
The final section approaching the summit reveals Little White’s massive granite wall, which is truly spectacular. The trail wraps around this wall and enters a fully exposed rocky area, where you’ll need to find your way across granite slabs. Luckily, the communication tower at the summit is highly visible, providing a clear target.
Summit Views – 360° Okanagan Panorama
At the top, the views are breathtaking:
- Okanagan Lake and West Kelowna in full view
- Rolling hills around Kelowna
- The ski runs at Big White Ski Resort
- Layers of distant mountain ranges
Another unexpected bonus: the cell signal is strong at the summit thanks to a nearby tower! We happily checked our phones while having lunch and resting. There was no remaining snow along the trail, except for a small meltwater pond near the summit.
Safety & Things to Keep in Mind
Kelowna might be close on the map, but the Canyon Lakes trailhead is still pretty out of the way:
- Road conditions are rough – high-clearance vehicles (pickup, SUV, Jeep) are recommended. Regular cars should consider the Upper Crawford Trailhead instead.
- The summit is windy and exposed; in summer, bring sun protection and enough water, and in fall, bring warm layers.
- Wildlife, especially bears, may be present. Carry bear spray and hike with companions. Check out our 10 Essentials for backcountry hiking.
Trailhead Options: Canyon Lakes vs. Upper Crawford
1. Canyon Lakes Trailhead
This was our route that day and the shortest option:
- One-way distance: 5–6 km (10–12 km round-trip)
- Elevation gain: 520–672 m
- Hiking time: 4–5 hours round-trip
- Difficulty: Moderate; the first half involves more climbing, the second half crosses sub-alpine meadows and finally ascends the granite summit.
- Best for: Those who want the shortest route and are comfortable driving a high-clearance 4×4 with FSR experience in BC.
Driving Info:
From Kelowna, drive along Highway 33 and turn onto the FSR 201 junction (we reset our odometer here). FSR 201 is a dirt road, fairly smooth at first. After ~24.8 km, forks start to appear—generally keep turning right. At 26.9 km, the road becomes narrow and rocky, resembling a snowmobile trail. The parking lot is at 31.6 km.
⚠️ Recommended vehicle: SUV minimum, pickup or Jeep high-clearance 4×4 preferred.
2. Upper Crawford Trailhead
This is the more common and straightforward option from Kelowna, though it’s longer:
- One-way distance: ~8 km (16 km round-trip)
- Elevation gain: 930 m
- Hiking time: 6–8 hours round-trip
- Difficulty: Moderate-to-hard; starts with a steep climb, then gradually flattens.
- Highlights: Passes the Kettle Valley Rail Trail (KVR) and the famous Bellevue Trestle, and includes an abandoned Youth Camp, giving a fun “exploration side quest” vibe.
Driving Info:
Google Maps also shows this route. From Kelowna, take McCulloch Rd → June Springs Forestry Service Rd (gravel), all the way to the KVR intersection. Regular cars can navigate it but be cautious on narrow sections and cliff-edge areas without guardrails. Continue along the KVR toward Bellevue Trestle for ~7 km to reach the Upper Crawford Trailhead.
Which Trailhead is Right for You?
- Want a shorter, quicker hike? Take Canyon Lakes Trailhead – just make sure your vehicle is up for it.
- Want a full-day hike with exploration? Take Upper Crawford Trailhead, enjoy the KVR, and check out the abandoned camp.
Best Season Hiking Little White Mountian
Little White Mountain is high and may have snow. The trail is best hiked from mid-July to early October:
- July: Wildflowers in bloom
- September: Gorgeous fall colors
- June: Possible snow patches and rough trail conditions
Even in summer, temperatures are cool at high elevation, but sun protection and hydration are important.
Little White Mountain Hiking Tips
- The summit has a cell tower—surprisingly strong signal!
- Bring trekking poles to help with steep and rocky sections.
- Carry enough water – it’s dry along the trail; only the summit has a small pond for filtering.
- Bear spray is recommended in this wildlife area.
- Leave No Trace: Carry out all trash to keep the mountain pristine.
Where to Stay Hiking Okanagan
For this Little White Mountian hike, half our group was from Vernon, half from Kelowna. For locals, this trail is a perfect weekend short hike.
If you’re planning a special hiking trip, consider staying one night in Kelowna or Vernon to explore more Okanagan outdoor destinations, such as:
Both lakefront hotels in Kelowna and small-town inns in Vernon are great lodging options (affiliate link).
My First Hike with VOC
This was my first hike with Vernon Outdoors Club, and everything from the way it was organized to the friendly group atmosphere was just great. Little White Mountain is definitely worth visiting – easygoing pace, beautiful variety of scenery, and an amazing view from the top. It made for a really special Labour Day long weekend, and I’m already looking forward to my next VOC adventure!
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