[1][2] It is located in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, southeast of Tacoma in northeastern Pierce County.

[1] Bearhead Mountain, the highest peak of the Clearwater Wilderness, is 6,089 feet (1,856 m) in elevation.

[2] The season between October and May receives 90 percent of the area's annual precipitation.

Snow in amounts reaching 25 ft (7.6 m) can remain as late as July in high areas.

[4][2] Wildlife in the area includes bears, deer, marmots, elk, cougars and pikas, as well as birds like eagles, grouse and songbirds.