Ellingwood Point is a high mountain summit in the Sangre de Cristo Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. It’s located in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness of San Isabel National Forest, 9.6 miles (15.4 km) southwest by west of the Town of Westcliffe in Custer County, Colorado, United States.
At 14,042 feet (4,283 m) above sea level, Ellingwood Point is the eleventh highest peak in Colorado. It’s also considered one of Colorado’s most dramatic peaks because of the sheer cliffs dropping dramatically on three sides.
Quick facts
- Elevation: 14,042 ft (4,283 m)
- First ascent: July 22, 1893
- Location: Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado
- Named for: Albert Russell Ellingwood
Now let’s get to the 33 riddles about this dramatic Colorado peak along with the answers!
Riddles
Riddle 1
I’m a fourteener found within a range,
That was named for a shade of red.
I’m the eleventh highest peak to be found,
In the state where gold was once panned instead.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 2
We hoped the naming of me would give fame,
To the man we thought a mountaineering ace.
But though I still bear Ellingwood’s name,
Twas another whose glory we couldn’t erase.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point (named after Albert Ellingwood but 1st ascended by William Libbey)
Riddle 3
I may not be the highest of all in this state,
But my cliffs will make your palms sweat.
Three sheer sides from which you could easily plummet,
Make me a peak you won’t soon forget.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 4
Custer County’s where I proudly rise,
Not far from Westcliffe town.
A little over nine miles away if you surmise,
I’m found within the Sangres wild and brown.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 5
Cross the Sangre de Cristos is how you get to me,
I’m about fifteen kilometers away.
Find me within the Sangre wilderness, can’t you see?
Ellingwood Point is where climbers like to play.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 6
In eighteen ninety three, two men spied my steep face,
And dared to make the first documented climb.
Though named for one, Ellingwood left no trace,
‘Twas Libbey who summited in record time.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 7
Some think my name sounds like a Hollywood star,
But actually it’s just some mountaineer.
He didn’t make the first successful summit by far,
That glory went to another pioneer.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point (named after Albert Ellingwood but first summited by William Libbey)
Riddle 8
Don’t make the mistake of underestimating me,
My cliffs will give even experts a scare.
I may not be the highest, but you’ll agree,
My dramatic drops show little care.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 9
Some think I sound like I’m a Hollywood hotshot,
But actually I’m named after a mountaineer.
He wasn’t first to make it to my summit rock,
Another adventurer took home that souvenir.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point (named after Albert Ellingwood but first ascent by William Libbey)
Riddle 10
Custer County is my lovely home,
I’m southwest of Westcliffe town.
Within the Sangre de Cristo range I roam,
My cliffs rise up and down.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 11
I may not win the highest peak race,
But my dramatic cliffs are my claim to fame.
Three sheer sides that’ll make your palms sweat,
Ellingwood Point’s more than just a name.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 12
Don’t let my name fool you, I’m no celebrity,
Just Ellingwood, a mountaineer true and blue.
Though he didn’t first summit, they still named me,
For this early climber and his daring crew.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point (named for Albert Ellingwood though first summited by William Libbey)
Riddle 13
Within the Sangres I make my stand,
Westcliff town’s just a short jaunt away.
Found in Colorado, where gold once spilled over the land,
Now climbers flock here to climb and play.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 14
Custer County’s where you can find me,
My cliffs jagged and walls steep.
Not the highest but I’m still mighty,
Ellingwood Point’s my daring keep.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 15
Some may think my namesake’s a star so bright,
But actually he was a pioneer climber.
Though another was first to gain my height,
It’s Ellingwood whom I honor and remember.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point (named for Albert Ellingwood though William Libbey made the first documented ascent)
Riddle 16
Found about fifteen kilometers away,
From Westcliffe town I tower high.
Within the Sangre wilderness I proudly stay,
My red rock cliffs awe passersby.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 17
I rise within Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo range,
A shade of red for which I’m named.
At fourteen thousand feet climbers find me strange,
My cliffs sheer enough to feel ashamed.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 18
Don’t judge just by my Hollywood sounding name,
I’m really named after a mountaineer.
Ellingwood didn’t first summit, what a shame!
That claim belongs to another pioneer.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point (named for Albert Ellingwood but William Libbey made first documented ascent)
Riddle 19
Found high in Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Range,
I’m about fifteen kilometers away.
From the town of Westcliffe within wilderness strange,
Ellingwood Point towers wild and fey.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 20
Custer County’s where I’m found,
Just nine miles from Westcliffe town.
In the Sangre de Cristos I abound,
Remote Ellingwood with cliffs renown.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 21
Some hear Hollywood when they hear my name,
But really it’s just some old mountaineer.
Though he didn’t summit, I still claim his fame,
While another adventurer was first pioneer.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point (named for Albert Ellingwood, but William Libbey made first recorded ascent)
Riddle 22
Found within the Sangre de Cristo wilderness,
I tower o’er Colorado land.
Fifteen kilometers from Westcliffe, I confess,
Ellingwood Point, with cliffs so grand.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 23
Don’t underestimate my towering height,
Though not Colorado’s highest peak.
My cliffs will surely give you a fright,
As three sheer sides make knees go weak.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 24
Custer County is where I stand tall,
Nine miles off from Westcliffe town.
Found within the Sangres, cliffs and all,
Ellingwood Point of high renown.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 25
My namesake was quite the mountaineer,
But another scored first ascent.
His name to me they did adhere,
Though Libbey was heaven-sent.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point (named for Albert Ellingwood, but William Libbey made first recorded ascent)
Riddle 26
Fourteen thousand feet in the air I rise
Within Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo range
Three sheer cliff sides that terrorize
Ellingwood Point sights so strange
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 27
Found about fifteen kilometers away
From the little town of Westcliffe
Deep within the Sangre wilderness I stay
Remote Ellingwood Point standing stiff
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 28
Custer County is where you’ll find me,
Just nine miles off from Westcliffe town.
Part of the Sangres wild and free,
Ellingwood Point of high renown.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 29
Some hear a star when they hear my name,
But really it’s for a mountaineer.
Though another scored first summit fame,
It’s Albert they chose to honor here.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point (named for Albert Ellingwood, though William Libbey made the first recorded ascent)
Riddle 30
Found high in Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Range,
I’m southwest of Westcliffe town not far.
Within the wilderness where climbers range,
Dramatic Ellingwood Point’s my claim to star.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 31
Don’t underestimate me ‘cause I’m not highest,
My sheer cliff drops will make you quake.
Three steep sides that plunge; I’m not the shyest,
Daredevil Ellingwood did make their day.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 32
Found remote within Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Range,
I tower fourteen thousand feet high.
Fifteen kilometers from Westcliffe, things can change,
As Ellingwood Point scrapes the sky.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Riddle 33
Custer County boasts me as her own,
Nine miles off Westcliffe town I stand.
Within the Sangre de Cristos wild and lone,
Ellingwood Point, with cliffs so grand.
Answer:
Ellingwood Point
Conclusion
And there you have it – 33 tricky riddles about the remote yet dramatic Ellingwood Point peak in Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Range, along with all the answers revealed! This fourteen thousand foot mountain with its sheer cliff walls plunging dramatically on three sides makes for an unforgettable climb. While it was named after early mountaineer Albert Ellingwood, the first recorded ascent was actually made by William Libbey in 1893. Whether you’ve hiked its breathtaking slopes or simply appreciated Ellingwood Point’s beauty from afar, this Colorado fourteener carved out an enduring legacy in the state’s rich history.
