[4] It was established in 1961 and it, as one of the three wilderness areas of Alberta, has the strictest form of government protection available in Canada.

It is near the north end of Banff National Park, the south end of Jasper National Park, and east of the Columbia Icefield.

Above 2,100 metres (6,900 ft), the tree line, are grasses, sedges and wildflowers.

Animals in the lower regions include woodland caribou, moose, elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, grizzly bear, black bear, cougar, coyote, timber wolf, and wolverine.

Animals in the upper regions include golden-mantled ground squirrels, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, hoary marmot, pika, white-tailed ptarmigan, grey-crowned rosy finch, water pipit and horned lark.