Visitors to the area should acquire a Toiyabe National Forest service map before exploring beyond U.S. Route 395.

Although most of the surrounding land is publicly owned and accessible via Burcham Flat Road (the correct spelling of Burcham is uncertain and varies, verbal communication to editor from Mono County records archivist) and Little Walker Road, the land on either side of U.S. Route 395 through the pass is privately owned.

Besides the dominant Artemisia tridentata (big sage) and Purshia tridentata (bitterbrush) noteworthy large plants include Juniperus occidentalis (western juniper), Pinus jeffreyi (Jeffrey pine), Cercocarpus ledifolius (curl leaf mountain mahogany), Amelanchier (service berry uncertain species) and Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen).

[2] The area west of the Devil's Gate is designated as a deer migration zone by the Mono County Planning commission.

Numerous other animals have been spotted in the area around the pass including American badger, black bear, chipmunk, cougar, coyote, rabbit, rubber boa, sage grouse, and vole.

Due to difficult terrain and deep snow (weather estimates indicate snowfall was significantly below normal at the time), he was forced to abandon his cannon on Jan 29, 1844 after crossing the pass (from Fremont's log).

The still standing restaurant has been converted into a private residence (verbal communication between editor and owner of the property).