The plateau forms the northeastern portion of the White River Uplift capped by horizontal basalt flows from tertiary volcanic activity and is bounded by steep drops to valleys carved out by subsequent glaciation.

[4][5] The resulting mix of areas of treeless plateau at an elevation of 11,000 to 12,000 feet interspersed with verdant valleys is unique among Colorado mountain ranges.

The area contains approximately one hundred and ten ponds and lakes[6] and is home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including many large mammals such as moose, elk, mule deer, black bear, and cougars.

[7] The most common trees are Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir and lodgepole pine, with aspen groves at lower elevations.

Several private and public entities proposed dams and water diversions on the South Fork to facilitate development of rich oil shale deposits to the west.

[10]: 17 Conservation groups, led by the Colorado Open Space Coordination Council and including Sierra Club, The Wilderness Society, Defenders of Wildlife, and the National Audubon Society, supported protecting a much larger, 230,000-acre area that included lower elevation forest and lakes outside the primitive area.