Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of Portage Creek and Twentymile River before emptying into Turnagain Arm.

Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises approximately 4,200 feet (1,280 m) above Bear Valley in 1.15 miles (1.85 km).

The mountain's toponym was officially adopted in 1976 by the United States Board on Geographic Names to commemorate Hale Boggs (1914–1972), who was the House majority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives when he disappeared along with Congressman Nick Begich and two others on October 16, 1972, during an airplane flight from Anchorage to Juneau.

[4] Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Chugach Mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall.

The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing.