Williamson stands in the John Muir Wilderness of the Inyo National Forest. It is located approximately north of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous U.S., and about southeast of Shepherd Pass, the nearest trail access. The closest town is Independence, California, about to the north-north-east. It lies about east of the Sierra Crest, which forms the western edge of the Owens Valley. It is more remote than Whitney in terms of access; however, as it sits east of the crest, it is actually a bit closer to the Owens Valley floor than Whitney. For example, the drop from the summit to the forest edge is in approximately . This makes it an imposing mountain, and far less of a popular climb than its higher neighbor.