The use of field measures of slope angle, slope aspect, cover type, crown size and crown density is evaluated in appraising the variability of Landsat Multispectral Scanner (MSS) spectral responses for 182 sample sites within Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. Multiple linear regression models indicate that 73, 72, 71 and 57 percent of the variation in the mean response of MSS bands 4, 5, 6 and 7, respectively, was explained by the environmental variables entered into the models. In general, crown size and crown density are less important in altering spectral response than terrain orientation. This type of analysis is useful in guiding field work for remote sensing studies into areas that are environmentally diverse and which are, therefore, capable of significantly altering the spectral response of cover types.