It is notable for its steep rise above the low local terrain.

Devils Paw is located on the northeast side of the Juneau Icefield, and its north slopes feed Tulsequah Lake and the Tulsequah Glacier.

Its south slope forms the head of the picturesquely-named "Hades Highway", which is the eastern extremity of the Icefield.

To illustrate the steepness of the peak: the north face drops 7,000 ft (2,130 m) in approximately three miles (4.8 km), and the southeast side drops 8,000 ft (2,440 m) in about seven miles (11.3 km).

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Devils Paw is located in a subpolar oceanic climate zone, with long, cold, snowy winters, and cool summers.