Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises over 3,400 feet (1,036 m) above the Duckabush River in approximately one mile.

Mount Steel is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.

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.

[4][8] Steel was also founder of the Oregon Alpine Club, the first mountaineering organization in the Pacific Northwest.

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