Topographic relief is significant as the southeast aspect rises 2,800 feet (850 meters) above the Big Quilcene River in less than one mile, and the north aspect rises 1,700 feet (520 meters) above Buckhorn Lake in one-half mile.

Iron Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.

[6] Weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel northeast toward the Olympic Mountains.

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

[8] The mountains were sculpted during the Pleistocene era by erosion and glaciers advancing and retreating multiple times.