While not of particularly high elevation, even for the North Cascades, it is notable for its large, steep local relief, and in particular for its huge Northeast Face, which drops 5,250 ft (1,600 m) in one horizontal mile (1.6 km).

[3] The Davis family had built and ran a roadhouse for trappers, miners and other travelers at the base of the peak, near present-day Diablo, prior to the arrival of roads or rail, circa 1900.

Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to the various climate differences.

[7] During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.

Uplift and faulting in combination with glaciation have been the dominant processes which have created the tall peaks and deep valleys of the North Cascades area.