[1][5] The mountain is located eight kilometres (5.0 mi) southeast of Trout Lake on the northern boundary of Goat Range Provincial Park.

Precipitation runoff and glacial meltwater from this mountain's slopes drains to Trout Lake, thence Lardeau River.

Mount Wilkie is more notable for its steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation as topographic relief is significant with the summit rising 1,985 metres (6,512 ft) above Trout Lake in less than eight kilometres (5.0 mi) and 1,355 metres (4,445 ft) above Mobbs Creek in three kilometres (1.9 mi).

The mountain's name honors surveyor Octavius Bentley Neves Wilkie (1872–1942), who worked at Trout Lake for many years.

The months of July through September offer the most favorable weather for climbing Mount Wilkie.