Precipitous drops on the west side contrast with a gentler slope on the east. Hardy vegetation such as juniper, pinyon pine, mountain mahogany, and sagebrush dominates the dry slopes. Some of the high country also harbors limber pine, ponderosa pine, white fir, Douglas fir, and aspen. Wildlife includes mule deer, pronghorn, chukar partridge, bald and golden eagles, and peregrine falcon. Wild horses roam Sawmill Basin northeast of Swasey Peak.
Permanent water occurs only at a few scattered springs in the range.
Mining in the range has a long history. Stories tell of finding old Spanish gold mines with iron tools in them that crumbled to the touch. More recently, the east side of Notch Peak has been mined for tungsten and gold.