Elevations range from about 5,000 feet to 9,845 feet on Matterhorn Peak near the center of the area. Thirty-one summits stand above 8,000 feet. Trout fishing can be fair to excellent in over 37 miles of streams, and in the lakes. The upper four miles of Wild and Scenic Eagle Creek flow here. Backpacking and horsepacking are very popular pursuits in this area.
Hunters come for elk and deer, mountain goats and bighorn sheep.
Black bears, bobcats and mountain lions live here. High summer temperatures hatch hordes of mosquitoes and horseflies in wet areas. The Lakes Basin Area, sparkling jewels of water surrounded by spectacular peaks, ranks as the most impacted by humans and the most fragile region of the Wilderness. There are huge, virtually unseen portions of Eagle Cap. Approximately 534 miles of trails give access to this area.