[4] Although modest in elevation, topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,800 feet (549 m) above the surrounding terrain in one mile (1.6 km).

[5] Any scant precipitation runoff from the mountain's slopes drains northeast to Tornillo Creek which is a tributary of the Rio Grande.

The mountain's toponym was officially adopted in 1948 by the United States Board on Geographic Names to honor George Melendez Wright (1904–1936), an American biologist who conceived of, then conducted, the first scientific survey of fauna for the National Park Service between 1929 and 1933.

[3][6] He advanced quickly with the National Park Service, in 1933 becoming the first leader of the agency's new Wildlife Division.

Tragically, George Wright and Roger Toll were killed in a car accident on their return from Texas.