[1] Precipitation runoff from the mountain's south slope drains into headwaters of the Middle Fork South Platte River and the north slope drains to the Blue River via Monte Cristo Creek.

An ascent of the peak involves hiking eight miles (13 km) with 2,400 feet (732 m) of elevation gain.

[1] The mountain's toponym has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names,[4] and has been recorded in publications since at least 1884.

[7] According to the Köppen climate classification system, North Star Mountain is located in an alpine subarctic climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and cool to warm summers.

[8] Due to its altitude, it receives precipitation all year, as snow in winter, and as thunderstorms in summer, with a dry period in late spring.