1. Angel Springs

Category: Return

Distance: 7.6 km round trip

Height gain: 137 m

High point: 1065 m

Time: 2.5–3.5 hrs. round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Seasons: Spring, summer, fall

Trailhead coordinates: N49 48.485 W119 22.505

Directions to trailhead: The Angel Springs Trail is situated in the northeast corner of Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park. In Kelowna, from the intersection of Highway 97 and Gordon Dr., travel south on Gordon for 2 km to K.L.O. Rd. Turn left on K.L.O. Rd. and drive 3.9 km to McCulloch Rd. Turn right onto McCulloch Rd. Keep to McCulloch Rd. for 3.1 km, paying close attention to street markers, as McCulloch has a couple of 80–90° curves that can easily be missed. Turn right onto June Springs Rd. This road winds through southeast Kelowna for roughly 6 km until it ends at a gravel Forest Service Road. The trailhead parking lot is 1.1 km up the Little White Forest Service Road.

This is an interesting hike comprised of mixed forest and a variety of undergrowth. The calcite mineral tufa deposits created by the springs are a unique Okanagan feature, making this an extraordinary experience. Keep in mind that the springs are not hot, or even warm, in the spring and early summer as winter runoff mixes with the spring water, cooling it as it arrives at the surface. The trail beyond the official end of the trail is not well maintained, so please be careful and use at your own risk.

  1. The trailhead is across the road and 60 m up the road from the parking lot. The trail goes directly into a forest of pine and cedar. This is a single-track trail with noticeably lush undergrowth.
  2. The trail climbs almost imperceptibly for the first 20 to 25 minutes before flattening out, but before it does level out (about ten minutes from the trailhead) a sign directs you left.
  3. You will come across two additional minor forks after the path flattens, but the way is obvious: go left both times. At the 1.3-km mark, one signed junction bears particular attention, as going straight will put you on the Myra Canyon Bailout Trail, sending you on an entirely different journey.
  4. This is an interpretive trail, so there are informative signs suitably placed throughout the trek, describing tree species, seasonal wetlands, Okanagan hotspots and faults, among other interesting topics.
  5. A tranquil marsh is tucked away behind the forest on your left, just past the Myra Canyon Bailout junction. As the interpretive sign suggests, this is a “seasonal” wetland, so it will be either a marsh or a meadow, depending on the time of year and the heat of the summer sun.
  6. About an hour, or three kilometres, from the trailhead, you will begin an 83 m downhill trek to the springs. The vegetation changes abruptly to become dark, canopied forest comprised mainly of western red cedar. Here the springs filter down from the slopes above, becoming braided as they travel over the forest floor.
  7. There is room for exploration beyond the initial encounter with the springs, but these trails are makeshift and not properly maintained, so be careful and watch for damp roots on the forest floor.