Kessler Peak holds a commanding prescence at the north apex of the Big Cottonwood Canyon highway. It is located on the north end of the Cardiac Ridge, which connects to Mount Superior on the south end. The mountain has two massive avalanche tracks on its flanks: Argenta and God's Lawnmower. Argenta's path puts the Big Cottwonwood Canyon highway in direct danger during large avalanche cycles.

Kessler Peak is famed in the historical industry of the Wasatch Mountains. Its slopes are dotted with mining shafts, and tree mills once operated at its north base. The mountain's name comes from most famous of the mill operators. Today, the mountain is famous for backcountry skiing. Its close proximity to the highway make its terrain some of the most accessible, and most popular, in the Wasatch. The most common route is to travel straight up and down Argenta, during periods of stable snowpack.