Topographic relief is significant as the east aspect rises 3,100 feet (940 meters) above Le Conte Canyon in less than one mile.

The name was officially adopted by the USGS at the suggestion of Charles Howard Shinn, head ranger of the forest reserve.

[4] The first ascent of the summit was made in August 1926 by Nathaniel L. Goodrich, Marjory Hurd, and Dean Peabody, Jr. via the West Ridge.

[7] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Sierra Nevada mountains.

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