[2] This arête with a row of sharp points is part of the Livingston Range, and is approximately four miles east of the Continental Divide.

Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains to the south end of Waterton Lake.

[7] Based on the Köppen climate classification, Citadel Peaks is located in an alpine subarctic climate zone characterized by long, usually very cold winters, and short, cool to mild summers.

Like the mountains in Glacier National Park, Citadel Peaks is composed of sedimentary rock laid down during the Precambrian to Jurassic periods.

Formed in shallow seas, this sedimentary rock was initially uplifted beginning 170 million years ago when the Lewis Overthrust fault pushed an enormous slab of precambrian rocks 3 mi (4.8 km) thick, 50 miles (80 km) wide and 160 miles (260 km) long over younger rock of the cretaceous period.