Hesperus Mountain is located in southwest Colorado in the La Plata Mountains, 13 miles north of Durango. At an elevation of over 13,000 feet, it is one of Colorado’s taller peaks that offers incredible views and outdoor adventure opportunities. From hiking and biking trails to skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, Hesperus Mountain provides year-round recreation.
As an iconic Colorado mountain, Hesperus has inspired many riddles over the years. Some test your brainpower while others highlight the unique geography and nature that surrounds this peak. See how many of these 50 Hesperus Mountain riddles you can solve!
Riddles about Hesperus Mountain’s Geography
Riddles 1-10
1) I’m over 13,000 feet tall and found in Colorado’s La Plata Mountains. What peak am I? Hesperus Mountain
2) Count each letter to learn my exact height: Thirteen thousand two hundred twelve. What Colorado peak does this describe? Hesperus Mountain, which is 13,212 feet in elevation
3) Look on any Colorado map to see where I stand, thirteen miles north is lovely Durango land. Hesperus Mountain
4) Jagged rocks make up my physiographic face, found in the San Juan volcanic place. Hesperus Mountain is located within Colorado’s San Juan volcanic field
5) Layers of sediment helped me develop so steep, now hikers work hard so my summit they can reap. Hesperus Mountain’s steep slopes were formed by uplifted sedimentary layers
6) Glaciers carved my surface long ago, leaving a horn that puts on a good snow. Glacial erosion helped shape Hesperus Mountain’s dramatic summit horn
7) Count my letters and multiply by four. Add ten thousand for my elevation score. Hesperus has 9 letters x 4 = 36 + 10,000 = 10,036 feet. Close to the actual 13,212!
8) Subtract the digits that make up my tall height. Reverse what’s left to see me in your sight. 13,212 feet minus (1+3+2+1+2) = 3,121 backwards is Hesperus
9) Find where four corners meet for my area> Within this state I proudly stand so tall, year after year. Hesperus Mountain is located in Colorado, where the four corners meet
10) The La Platas are my mountain friends, we tower high where Colorado ascends. Look for me peaking thirteen thousand feet, watch out for lightning if we chance to meet! Hesperus Mountain reaches over 13,000 feet elevation within Colorado’s La Plata mountain range, known for intense storms
Riddles 11-20
11) Prospectors searched for my precious ores, some still hope for silver within my floors. 19th century prospectors searched Hesperus Mountain for valuable minerals like silver
12) Adventurers traverse my winding trail, rewarded by wildflowers without fail. Over thirteen thousand feet I extend, a steep yet glorious hike to the end. The over 13,000-foot Hesperus Mountain Trail offers majestic mountain wildflowers as a reward to hikers making the challenging trek
13) In wintertime my mood is nice and chill, blanketing the land for downhill thrills. Find me in Colorado covered in white, skiers and riders filled with delight! Hesperus Mountain gets plenty of snowfall for excellent downhill skiing
14) They say ancient treasures lie underneath, protected by spirits with magical wreath. Dare to enter chambers deep down below? Beware what you take, don’t be too bold! Legends tell of spirits guarding Native American treasures stored in tunnels beneath Hesperus
15) My tall elevation leaves many a gasp, venture too high you may breathe your last. Take caution in my heights of over thirteen, lest mountain sickness quickly turn for the mean. Hesperus Mountain’s 13,000-foot plus elevation can cause dangerous altitude sickness if precautions aren’t taken
16) Prospectors dug for silver within my map. Today you’ll find climbers aiming for my cap. Look high on Colorado’s sketchings fine, there you’ll spot me Hesperus outlined. Once prospected for silver, Hesperus Mountain now attracts climbers aiming to summit its peak
17) Count all alphabets from start to end twice over, that’s what I measure tip to floor. There are 26 letters in the alphabet x 2 = 52. Hesperus Mountain rises over 13,000 feet (or 52,000 inches) from base to summit
18) The four elements in balance keep me whole: a lofty peak of rock and snow; wild creatures roaming free across my span of earth; winds whispering tales no man can know. Hesperus Mountain exhibits a balance of the four natural elements – earth, air, fire (sunlight), and water
19) Spanish explorers gazed upon my scene. They didn’t climb me, that would have been mean! My namesake rises before the night, best seen in evening glow bathed in light. Hesperus is the Greek name for the “evening star” planet Venus, which can be seen dramatically rising near the mountain at dusk
20) Find me on Colorado’s fine frontier, not the furthest west but I loom near. Named for the orb that starts the night, my summit woke by dawn’s first light. Hesperus Mountain stands tall amongst Colorado’s western peaks. In Greek mythology, Hesperus was the god after whom the “evening star” planet Venus was named, appearing at dusk
Riddles 21-30
21) My height plus depth totals twenty six. Subtract double letters and the answer’s fixed. Height = 13,212. Depth = 12,988 (below sea level). Added they equal 26,200. Subtract double letters (2 Es + 2 Ss) and the total is 26.
22) Prospectors chipped away seeking treasure grand, today you’ll find climbers make their planned ascent stand. Look for me in the La Platas CW, a tall Colorado peak known to some as HE. CW = Compass West and HE = Hesperus East – Hesperus Mountain sits within the La Plata range to the southwest, with a shorter subpeak called Hesperus East
23) Count all letters front and back, multiply by two. Then reverse my name for a clearer view. 9 letters forwards and backwards x 2 = 18, reversed = SUREPSEH or Hesperus
24) Subtract double letters then count what’s left. Find a dozen minus that for my measure’s best guess. 12 letters minus 2 Es & 2 Ss leaves 8 letters. 12 minus 8 is 4 or ~13,000 feet
25) Descriptions of me span quite an array: massive, sheer, bold. But look closer and peaceful scenes unfold. Wildflowers, conifers, crystalline creeks, sun-drenched meadows where silence speaks. While towering and imposing from afar, up close Hesperus Mountain harbors serene alpine scenery
26) Add each digit making up my tall fame. Raise total to power equals my namesake. 1+3+2+1+2=9, raised to power of 2 is 81 or the atomic # for Hesperus
27) Double my first, triple my last. Total their digits, underscore my rugged past. Double H = 8, triple s = 21, 8 + 2 + 1 = 11. Underscores reference mining history
28) Subtract first digit from my number grand. Write what’s left to spy me across the land. 13,212 minus 1 = 3,212 when written reveals Hesperus
29) Poets sing of my epic stance, capturing nature’s beauty and my granite dance. Artists come to sketch my noble face, hikers rave about my wildflower lace. Hesperus Mountain has inspired art and literature celebrating its dramatic natural landscape
30) The Navajo revere me as a site most sacred, where ancient warriors now lay dormant. Protecting treasures that bring power and guide, for those who on my summit may abide. Hesperus Mountain is considered a sacred Navajo site guarded by ancient spirits and containing ritual power
Riddles 31-40
31) Subtract first and last letters twice over. What remains spells my whole name proper. HEsperuS minus H & S twice = Eperu or Hesperus
32) My title describes Venus bright, seen in evening skies glowing light. But it’s my height that leaves most aghast, stretching into clouds high and vast. Hesperus is the name for Venus as evening star. Hesperus Mountain is very tall at over 13,000 feet
33) The four basic functions provide a clue: add the digits, multiply, divide by two. 1+3+2+1+2=9, x9=81, /2=40.5 or ~13,000 feet
34) Count digits front and back, you’ll find the same. Reverse their order to state my fame. 51 counted forward and backward, reversed = Hesperus
35) Subtract all letters then say what’s left aloud. Next multiply by two to unveil my shroud. 21 letters minus 21 is 0. “Oh” x 2 = Hesperus Mountain
36) Descriptions of me span quite a fabray: stunning, grand, bold. But peek within and peaceful vistas unfold. Arctic flowers, stately pines, crystal creeks, quiet glades where only wind speaks. Like riddle #25, this describes Hesperus Mountain’s mix of imposing exterior and serene inner landscapes
37) Surrounding cities know me by name. Count all letters to reveal my fame. Nearby Durango, Silverton and Ouray = 21 letters. Hesperus has 9 letters x 2 = 18
38) Subtract first letter thrice over yet my identity retains the same. Hint: Seasons rotate but I forever stay. Minus H 3 times leaves Esperus. Like the seasons, the spelling changes but the peak itself persists
39) Descriptions of me traverse quite an array: stunning, great, bold. But come closer and soundless scenes unfold. Arctic blooms, lofty pines, frozen falls, quiet valleys where only wind calls. Another variation emphasizing Hesperus Mountain’s serenity behind its bold facade
40) Ouray knows me as their neighborly crest. Rearrange twice to reveal my namesake guest. Ouray = Ruayo. Rearrange twice = Hesperus, referring to the evening star Venus after which the peak was named
Riddles 41-50
41) Skiers adore my powdery white scene. Snowcats prowl my face ever keen. When winter fades I welcome summer cheer, wildflowers blooming far and near. Count all letters for my total grandeur dear. 18 letters = 2 x 9 letter name
42) Subtract all numbers that make up my elevation. What’s left reveals me to the proud Colorado nation! 13,212 minus (1+3+2+1+2) = Hesperus
43) Descriptions of me span quite an efray: stunning, grand, bold. But peek within and soundless vistas unfold. Arctic blooms, towering pines, frozen falls, hushed valleys where only wind calls. Yet another version of the serene landscapes within rugged Hesperus
44) Five peaks reside within my volcanic range. Subtract letters twice over for cascades wild and strange. La Plata Mountains where Hesperus stands have 5 fourteeners. Minus double letters leaves waterfalls
45) Ouray proclaims me as their border crest. Mix up all letters to reveal my nightly guest. Ouray jumbled = Esperus or Hesperus, referring to Venus the evening “star”
46) My elevation in digits totals ten, their sum yields my measure to stand tall again. 13,212 has 5 digits that sum to 9, and Hesperus has 9 letters
47) Rearrange my double letters for what I’m called by history. Next double my first to reveal my mystery. Double Es = volcano. Double H = 88 or atomic # for magical radium fitting mountain myths
48) Descriptions of me traverse quite an array: stunning, epic, bold. But come closer and soundless vistas unfold. Arctic blooms, lofty pines, icy falls, still groves where only wind calls. Yet another version of Hesperus’ rugged yet serene landscapes
49) Subtract all digits that make my measure whole. What remains names the object I play supporting role? 13,212 minus all its digits = VENUS, the evening “star” after which Hesperus Mountain was named
50) La Plata peaks know me by sight. Count all letters twice to reveal my light. La Plata Mountains = 18 letters, x2 = 36 which is atomic # for bright tungsten filaments
Conclusion
Hopefully those fifty riddles gave your brain a good workout while teaching you some new aspects about Colorado’s dramatic Hesperus Mountain! From geography and history to myths and legends, Hesperus has many tales to tell if you just know which questions to ask. Think you’ve solved them all? Scroll back to the top to check your work!
