Most of the peaks are barren, steep, rocky masses. Here, only lichens, snow algae, and an occasional wildflower can survive under these harsh conditions. In sharp contrast to the Beartooths, almost all of the Absaroka country has some sort of vegetative cover except for the very highest peaks and ridges. More than 640 lakes dot the landscape, most in the Beartooth country and along the high plateaus. Perched above deep canyons and tucked into basins and glacial cirques, each high lake presents a unique and idealistic setting for a wilderness experience.
Innumerable streams wind their course through the wilderness.
The clean, clear water that emanates from nine major drainages is a major contributor to the Yellowstone River system. The Absarokas are particularly abundant in streams. The high plateaus add yet another dimension to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Many are located above timberline, usually around 10,000 feet elevation, and bear a strong resemblance to arctic tundras. These relatively flat plateaus characteristically break off sharply to intervening canyons and steep finger ridges.