For Nevada, this area is unusually wet with seven to eight feet of snow falling annually. Two small basins guard Jarbidge Lake and Emerald Lake, true hidden Wilderness treasures. Emerald Lake has brook trout. Elk are often seen and hunted on the eastern side of the area, and the deer herd is large, finding here exceptional habitat. Mountain lions are known to live here.
Colorful vegetation varies from northern desert plants to alpine plants.
Snowslide Gulch Trail enters on the northwest end of the area and provides the most used access. This trail leads to Jarbidge Lake in about six miles and over the mountains about one more mile to Emerald Lake. Trailheads also exist at Slide Creek and Three Day Creek. As you approach the mountains, you may be suddenly reminded of the splendor of the European Alps. Although over 125 miles of trails exist, remoteness and rugged mountain terrain places this area among the least visited of all Wildernesses.