Brent Mountain Protected Area is a BC Parks protected area 22 kilometres west of Penticton. BC Parks says it is the only alpine area protected in the Southern Thompson Upland ecosection.
The area includes wetlands along stream channels, krummholz subalpine fir and spruce, subalpine parkland, and alpine meadows.
Brent Mountain is a backcountry Okanagan alpine destination with established but lightly developed routes. A former BC Forest Service fire lookout on Brent Mountain adds to the appeal and may be used as a warming hut when required.
BC Parks lists two key routes. The Shatford Creek Trail is roughly 10 kilometres, gains about 720 metres to the Sheep Rock alpine area, and takes seven to eight hours return. The Brent Mountain Trail is about five kilometres, climbs 444 metres to the 2,203 metre summit, and takes four to five hours return.
Both routes offer rolling alpine meadows and wide views toward the Okanagan Valley, Coast Mountains, and Monashee Mountains. Recreation also includes fishing, cycling on trails, e-biking on signed or designated trails, horseback riding, hunting in season, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling around Sheep Rock.
Plan around alpine hiking, Sheep Rock meadows, Brent Mountain summit views, the fire lookout, stream and wetland observation, fishing, trail cycling, horseback riding, hunting, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
Treat stream water before drinking, and do not have campfires. High-clearance access is recommended because of deep water bars, active logging roads, many spur roads, and the need for GPS, compass, and topographic map navigation.
