Trail: Brent Mountain
Trail Distance: Roughly 10 kilometres, round trip
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
Photo Credit: Kristy Draginda
Directions
Brent Mountain is located in Penticton on the way to Apex Mountain Resort. Heading south along Hwy 97, turn right onto Green Mountain Road following the signs for Apex. Follow this road for 20 km and then turn right onto Apex Mountain Road. Just after 4 km, make a sharp right turn onto the Shatford Forest Service Road. Follow the main FSR for 3.7 km and make a left following a sign for Brent Mountain. Follow this road for roughly 3 km where you will pass the Shatford Trailhead and then make another left onto a narrow dirt road that leads you to the trailhead and the parking area.
Photo Credit: Kristy Draginda
Description
The hike to the top of Brent Mountain has been on my list for a couple years now, but every time I attempted to get to the trailhead, it was early spring and the road was covered in snow. Finally, this time I made it up and it was worth the wait! Beautiful views and a fire lookout tower greet you at the top!
From the trailhead, the path will lead you into the forest. There are orange trail markers on the trees the entire way up, so it's fairly easy to follow. There are a few side trails, but stick to the main marked trail. The first 2 km meanders through the beautiful forest and soon the trees start to spread out. Working our way up, we started to hike through an alpine meadow for another couple kms. I can only imagine how beautiful this hike would be in spring with blooming wildflowers!
Photo Credit: Kristy Draginda
As the trail starts to steepen, the fire lookout tower soon comes into sight. The final stretch brought us to the summit and treated us with a 360° view! The smoke started to roll in as we were hiking up but the view was still stunning. Brent Mountain is actually the fourth highest point in the Okanagan Highlands! Sitting at 2,203 metres, it offers a fantastic vantage point overlooking the Okanagan Valley and towards the Monashee Mountains which is why a fire lookout tower was built in this location.
Also, the forest service fire lookout tower is pretty neat on its own. Now acting as a warming hut in case of emergencies, it's a perfect location to relax, have a snack or even play a little game of horseshoes! Yes, I said horseshoes. There is a little pit with three horseshoes at the summit!
Photo Credit: Kristy Draginda
Please respect the fire lookout tower and the area, leave it as you found it. Let's preserve our last standing fire lookout tower in the Okanagan Valley so other generations to come can enjoy its beauty!
Special notes
- The road to Brent Mountain is a little rough, but is manageable for any vehicle that has good clearance. I would not recommend this forest road for a car.
- This is a seasonal hike. Depending on the year, the trailhead cannot be reached in the winter months.
- Campfires are not permitted in this area at any time of the year!
- For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
- Respect this area and all areas.
What to bring
- Proper Footwear.
- Bear spray and whistle.
- Water.
- Lunch/snacks.
- GPS (I use the Ski Tracks app on my phone or download the area on Google maps).
- Hiking poles, if needed.
- Camera/phone.
Photo Credit: Kristy Draginda
Always remember to be mindful of your surroundings, pack out what you pack in, stick to the trails and most of all, happy exploring!
Born and raised in the Okanagan, Kristy Draginda always had a strong passion for the outdoors. Whether it be hiking to the top of a mountain or standing below a waterfall she says there is no better feeling than being inspired by nature. Follow along as Kristy shares different hiking locations in and around the Okanagan. For more adventure photos check out Hiking the Okanagan on Instagram or Facebook.
