They are located about 12 miles (19 km) southwest of the town of Big Pine, California.

Josiah Whitney in his book Geology, Volume 1 writes: "At the head of the north fork, along the main crest of the Sierra, is a range of peaks, from 13,500 to 14,000 feet high, which we called 'the Palisades.'

These were unlike the rest of the crest in outline and color, and were doubtless volcanic; they were very grand and fantastic in shape.

"[4] Although referred to by early geologists as "volcanic", the Palisades are a dark granitic rock.

Notable peaks of the group include four independent[5] fourteeners: and the following mountains in addition: North Palisade has some additional subpeaks over 14,000 feet (4,267 m); see the North Palisade article for those summits.