It lies about 1 mile (1.6 km) east of the Sierra Crest, which forms the western edge of the Owens Valley.

The mountain is named for Lt. Robert Stockton Williamson (1825–1882), who conducted one of the Pacific Railroad Surveys in Southern California.

[9] The first recorded ascent of Mount Williamson was made in 1884 by W. L. Hunter and C. Mulholland, by way of the Southeast Slopes Route.

From the bowl, the route climbs gullies up the west face to the relatively broad summit plateau; this portion involves scrambling up to class 3.

These rare animals can often be seen on the lower slopes during the winter when heavy snows drive the sheep down from their summer grazing areas.