Wheeler Mountain is set on the Continental Divide 4.5 miles (7.2 km) west-northwest of Hoosier Pass.

Precipitation runoff from the mountain's west slope drains into Clinton Creek; the southeast slope drains into Wheeler Lake thence to the Middle Fork South Platte River; and the northeast slope drains to the Blue River via Monte Cristo Creek.

Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,970 feet (600 m) above Clinton Creek in one-half mile (0.80 km).

The mountain's toponym has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

[5] 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.