[citation needed] The central core of the range shows extensive evidence of glaciation during recent ice ages, including U-shaped canyons, moraines, hanging valleys, and steeply carved granite mountains, cliffs, and cirques.

Moisture collected by this high range promoted the heavy Pleistocene glaciation and still supports a wide variety of flora and fauna.

The weight from the thickening crust increased temperatures and pressures up to 40 km[6] at depth and caused regional metamorphism to occur, as well as the formation of some migmatic igneous bodies.

During the Oligocene to Eocene, active subduction was no longer occurring and the upper crust relaxed causing the stress to change from compressional to extensional.

The extensional force caused the middle and lower crustal rocks to be exhumed to the surface as part of the Basin and Range Province along the footwall of a large detachment fault.

The Ruby Crest National Recreation Trail winds from Harrison Pass northward about 40 mi (64 km) to the Road's End Trailhead high in Lamoille Canyon.

Principal recreational access can be found at Lamoille and Soldier Canyons on the west side of the range, and at the Overland Lake Trailhead to the east.