Like many North Cascades peaks, The Roost is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation.

As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall.

Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to the various climate differences.

[5] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.

Uplift and faulting in combination with glaciation have been the dominant processes which have created the tall peaks and deep valleys of the North Cascades area.