Hagues Peak is a mountain summit in the Mummy Range of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. At 13,573 feet (4,137 m), it is a challenging peak to climb with stunning views and an interesting history. Let’s explore Hagues Peak and the surrounding area through 37 riddles and their answers.
Riddles about Hagues Peak
Geography
1. I’m a tall rocky peak found in what mountain range in Colorado?
Answer: The Mummy Range
2. Glaciers carved out a unique cirque on my northeast side, what is it called?
Answer: The Ida Cirque
3. Hikers often pass a high alpine lake on their descent from my summit, named for an adventurous woman.
Answer: Lake Nokhu
4. My summit offers views of a long narrow mountain lake far below, what is its name?
Answer: Sprague Lake
History
5. I’m named for the Director of the United States Mint, what is his name?
Answer: Henry Hague
6. Albert Bierstadt featured my image in a famous landscape artwork, name the painting.
Answer: A Storm in the Rocky Mountains
7. In the 1920s, Enos Mills led clients up my challenging slopes, including a famous inventor, who was it?
Answer: Thomas Edison
8. My first known ascent was in 1874 by a professor studying glaciers, name him.
Answer: William Byers
Climbing Hagues Peak
9. To access my steep hiking trail, one must cross a high mountain pass first, what is it named?
Answer: Rowe Saddle
10. Climbers often follow this route up my western slopes, what is it called?
Answer: The West Slopes route
11. My easiest technical climb ascends the Black Wall on my northern face, what unique rock makes up this steep wall?
Answer: Black diorite
12. Climbers should start early to avoid this unpleasant electrical storm phenomenon common in the afternoon.
Answer: Thunderstorms
Flora & Fauna
13. Colorful wildflowers like these blue columbine and paintbrush bloom on my slopes in summer, what is this ecological community called?
Answer: Alpine tundra
14. Hardy ice age leftovers, small furry mammals with short legs and claws live among the boulders here, what are they?
Answer: Pikas
15. This large bird of prey nests on my rocky cliffs and scans for marmot or pika prey below, what is it?
Answer: Golden eagle
16. Lichens and tough shrubs like krummholz dot my harsh windblown upper slopes, how high do trees grow here?
Answer: Up to 11,500 feet
The Descent
17. As climbers descend from my summit near the Ida Cirque, they pass a small tarn lake with this French femme’s name, what is it?
Answer: Lake Helene
18. Directly below Lake Helene is another tarn pond named for a Norse god’s mighty hammer, what is its name?
Answer: Odessa Lake
19. On the trail down, mountaineers get a special view of this unique rock formation, what is it called?
Answer: The Sharkstooth
20. The descent heads down toward this high mountain pass to meet up with the main trail, what is it named?
Answer: Boulder-Grand Pass
The Hagues Peak Trail
21. My summit trail is about how many miles round trip from the trailhead?
Answer: 15 miles
22. The trail has about how many feet of elevation gain on the way to my top?
Answer: 4,850 feet
23. Hikers cross through this stunning high valley with Sprague Lake and waterfalls on the ascent up toward me.
Answer: Glacier Gorge
24. The final exposed scramble to my summit follows a prominent rocky ridge, what is it called?
Answer: The Homestretch
Weather Extremes
25. My summit saw one of Colorado’s most extreme wind events in 1934, what was the shocking record wind speed?
Answer: 231 mph
26. Winter mountaineers on my route may need this gear to safely traverse steep snowy slopes, what is it?
Answer: Ice axe and crampons
27. My high slopes may get truly frigid temps down to this -60°F reading with the windchill, what is that extreme cold called??
Answer: Frostbite danger
Easier Options
28. For an easier hike to a Hagues Peak viewpoint, try this nearly accessible trail to the north, what is it named?
Answer: Loch Vale Trail
29. Families enjoy spotting my summit from this popular easy lake loop trail, what is it called?
Answer: Bear Lake Nature Trail
30. An intermediate hike with great wildflower viewing ends at a overlook with me in sight far to the south, what is the trail name?
Answer: Sky Pond Trail
Camping & Lodging
31. Intrepid climbers may camp overnight to get an early start up my slopes at this first-come, first-served campground, what is it named?
Answer: Goblins Forest Campground
32. After the grueling Hagues Peak climb, hikers can recharge by soaking in these natural geothermal hot springs nearby, what are they called?
Answer: Grand Lake Hot Springs
33. Apres-climb, hungry adventurers can enjoy an IPA and burger at this pub at the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, what is it named?
Answer: The Trailhead Pub
Beginner Climbing Options
34. Beginner mountaineers visiting the area can try climbing a much smaller nearby peak instead, what is its name?
Answer: Hallet Peak
35. No technical gear needed! Novices can challenge themselves on this easier-to-summit neighbor of mine to the south, what peak is it?
Answer: Flattop Mountain
Combos & Long Approaches
36. Elite climbers like to combine Hagues and me for an ultra 12-mile roundtrip day, what neighboring peak am I?
Answer: Fairchild Mountain
37. My longest access hike is from the east side along the Continental Divide, with an almost 20-miler roundtrip trek, what trailhead is the start point?
Answer: Longs Peak Trailhead
Conclusion
We’ve covered a lot of ground exploring Hagues Peak through riddles! From geography and history to climbing challenges, weather extremes, and easier alternatives, this difficult Colorado summit has stories to tell. No matter your ability level, Rocky Mountain National Park offers adventure from family-friendly trails to daring mountaineering endeavors. Come test your skills on Hagues Peak or enjoy it from below!
