[1] Topographic relief is significant as the spires rise 1,665 feet (507 meters) above Echo Lake in 0.38 miles (0.61 km).

The first ascent of the spires was made July 22, 1933, by Norman Clyde, Jules Eichorn and Ted Waller, who were members of the Sierra Club.

[7] They named the landform for Norman Clyde (1885–1972), the leader of the group and legendary mountaineer credited with 130 first ascents, most of which were in the Sierra Nevada.

As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the range.

Precipitation runoff from this geographic feature drains north to Bishop Creek, and south into Middle Fork Kings River.