Chief Mountain is located in the Glacier National Park area of Montana right along the border with Canada. It is considered sacred land by the Blackfeet Native Americans and figures prominently in their oral history and legends. The distinctive shape of the mountain, rising up out of the plains, has inspired many riddles over the years.
In this article, we have collected 32 riddles about Chief Mountain along with the answers. Some riddles focus on the geography and wildlife of the area, while others reference Blackfeet legends about the mountain. The riddles vary in difficulty and target different age ranges.
Riddles for Kids
Riddle #1
I’m tall and grand, I touch the sky. I have a flat top, way up high. Bears and mountain goats, I freely share. What Montana mountain sits along the border over there?
Answer: Chief Mountain
Riddle #2
I flow through Glacier Park, my waters cold and clear. I’m named for the tribe that still lives right here. What am I?
Answer: St. Mary River, named after the St. Mary tribe of the Blackfeet Confederacy
Riddle #3
I leap between the cliffs and crags, my horns curling round and round. In summer months I bound with pride across Chief Mountain’s stony ground.
Answer: Mountain Goat
Riddles for Teens/Adults
Riddle #4
My snowy hair and wrinkled face, hide the tales of my tribe’s race. I stand guard o’er this sacred site, my history old but still bright. Who am I?
Answer: Chief Mountain
Riddle #5
My feathers flash red and blue, through the pine woods I sail and swoop. From Dennis Pass I soar so high, almost touching Chief Mountain’s sky.
Answer: Blue Grouse
Riddle #6
We hunted here when the land was new, we fished these waters clear and true. We fought hard for this ground we stand, forced to a reservation, the last of our land. My heart still lingers around this peak, will you remember me, friend, though I’m weak?
Answer: Native American tribes that originally inhabited the area (Blackfeet, Kootenai, Salish etc.)
Riddles about Blackfeet Legends
Riddle #7
A young girl with my name took a legendary ride upon my back. Across the sky I raced her swift, and where she touched, left mountains as my gift.
Answer: Morning Star ( Based on the Blackfeet legend of the Star Husband)
Riddle #8
My father was the sun, my mother the earth so green. With my magical horn I made the rivers and valleys you have seen. Who am I?
Answer: Yamnastika (Horned Serpent in Blackfeet mythology)
Riddle #9
With thirteen tails I raged with anger, smashing all within my way. My evil was stopped by a magic arrow, shot by a godly warrior my way. What was I?
Answer: The Great Snake of Chief Mountain (from Blackfeet oral histories)
Riddles about Plants/Wildlife in the Chief Mountain area
Riddle #10
Purple and pink, my colors sweet. Along mountain trails you might spy my hairy feet. Bees and flies I attract you see, spreading pollen near old Chief tree.
Answer: Beebalm (wildflower found in the area)
Riddle #11
My bark is gray, my needles green. I can live five hundred years tall and serene. Look for me near Chief in the backcountry, but watch out when fires start potentially!
Answer: Subalpine Fir
Riddle #12
I’m an odd bird, the only one. My black head sets me apart from the rest of my kin. Perched high on the branch of a larch or a pine, insect hunting made easy when in this fine dining.
Answer: Black-backed woodpecker
Riddles about Chief Mountain Geography/Scenery
Riddle #13
I’m a grand passage carved through the ages. Follow my trail to view nature’s fine pages. Rainbows and brook trout swim my cold hall, gazing up to the mountain sentry so tall.
Answer: St. Mary River
Riddle #14
Look high, but not too high, scan the noble face. A recessed nook, dark and private space. Protected from wind, an eagle’s abode. Young ones hatch as the last snows melt on this remote mountain road.
Answer: Eagle nesting area on Chief Mountain
Riddle #15
Jewel of the Plains I first appear, lone sentinel rising. Sheer east face weathering year after year, eolian sandstone comprising. Head held high directing the wind, patterns of time etched in my skin.
Answer: Chief Mountain
Riddle #16
High up among the peaks, a sparkling gem so blue. Formed long ago from a glacier that slid right through. Chip away the ice and take a dive so brisk, in my cool waters that formed this mountain lake.
Answer: Iceberg Lake
Riddles about Camping/Hiking around Chief Mountain
Riddle #17
The sleekest of tents, with the smallest pack. We climb up and up, no turning we back. Our campsites prepared with care not to harm, staying warm as we weather the storm.
Answer: Backpacking/camping around Chief Mountain
Riddle #18
Traverse my ridge before the snow melts, glimpse mountain goats playing as my trail winds and tilts. Wildflowers blossom the short summer long, hiking my path you can’t go wrong!
Answer: Reynolds Mountain Trail
Riddle #19
I’m there and back, a good leg stretch. Views of Chief along the way fetch. Through meadows and hills my winding trail stretches, a pleasant ramble, the perfect side quest!
Answer: Ole Creek Trail
Riddles about Chief Mountain’s History and Lore
Riddle #20
Sacred mountain, a tribal refrain. Part the mists and witness terrain, marked by a chieftain’s adventurous end, spirit urged on by family and friend.
Answer: Chief Mountain (Chief referring to the legend of a Blackfeet leader who climbed to the summit)
Riddle #21
Tallest of twenty, my imposing name drawn from rumored riches to fortune and fame. Ice rubble crown built grain by grain, resisting erosion beating wind and rain.
Answer: Chief Mountain
Riddle #22
Tribal history etched on my face, I’ve witnessed much in time and space. Species thrive then often vanish, persistence is key so as not to tarnish. Mother Nature’s imposing display, the ages reveal if you gaze my way.
Answer: Chief Mountain
Riddles about Current Events around Chief Mountain
Riddle #23
Coveted land, a political fight. Protect what’s public and share the right. Consult all parties, participation is key, preserve sacred sites and ecosystems free.
Answer: Issues around drilling/development near Chief Mountain and management of lands bordering Glacier National Park that impact Blackfeet tribal lands
Riddle #24
In 2021 we got some big news! Additional lands now we can peruse. Wildlife travel gets safer passage you see, with this newly joined territory surrounding old Chief tree.
Answer: The creation of the Badger-Two Medicine wildlife corridor between Glacier NP and the Bob Marshall wilderness
Riddle #25
People once mined me history tells, my metals and ore put into shells. But now I’m preserved, my scars healing slow, here beauty endures though my minerals don’t show.
Answer: Chief Mountain area/Glacier National Park
Silly Riddles about Chief Mountain
Riddle #26
Stalwart and stony, old Chief’s no clown. But he prefers pizza o’er seeds on the ground! Mushrooms and huckleberries can’t tempt his taste, Supreme is his choice! No pine cones gets waste!
Riddle #27
I’m normally quiet, you must admit. But give me some beans and hear me transmit! Sitting tall watching stars wheel by, fart proudly loud, who am I?
Answer: Chief Mountain
Riddle #28
Regal and wise I normally seem, but slap a blond wig on me and I’m a diva supreme! Belt out some tunes watch me croon, Chief Mountain… or is it Lady Gaga this afternoon?!
Riddles about Global Connections
Riddle #29
Though local I seem, I’m connected worldwide. My rocks match formations across the divide. We’re one Earth, you see, environments intertwined. So what happens here, affects more you might find.
Answer: Chief Mountain and interconnectivity of ecosystems locally and globally
Riddle #30
My tribe has relations far away, across the big sea waters murmur and spray. Shared legends and tongues reveal ancient bonds, global brothers though distant our lands.
Answer: The Blackfeet tribe connection to First Nations tribes in Canada (speech/legends indicating ancient relations)
Riddle #31
I may seem remote perched next to the border, but changes around me encroach with disorder. As north temp warms, my glaciers melt bit by bit, environments shifting we must admit.
Answer: Climate change impacts on Chief Mountain area (melting glaciers, ecosystem shifts etc.)
Conclusion
Riddle #32
You’ve explored Chief’s riddles across ages. Spanning silly kids to elders full of sages. This mountain’s old tales keep unfolding forever. Open your eyes now and see them wherever!
We hope you enjoyed these 32 riddles about Chief Mountain, Montana. Riddles engage our creativity and connect us to meaningful history and landscapes. Chief Mountain has an exceptionally rich cultural significance and natural diversity that these riddles tried to honor and highlight. Learning legends, encountering wildlife, and simply gazing at Chief Mountain’s imposing presence fosters wonder and respect. Use these riddles to inspire your own connection with special wild places closest to your home. The stories, lessons and living treasures might surprise you!
