It is a hook shaped range with the main eastern portion oriented northwest–southeast, approximately 20 miles (32 km) long.

To the north, the narrow Mullen Pass separates the Pah Rah Range from the Virginia Mountains.

[8] The mines of the district produced gold from placer deposits and veins associated with granite porphyry dikes in a faulted basaltic to andesitic volcanic terrain of Oligocene to Miocene age.

[10] The district and the former town that served it were named for Elias Olinghouse, who settled there and ran a mule team transport service.

[13] Wildlife of the range include pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, coyote, mountain lion and the wild horse.