Huron Peak is the third highest summit of the Rocky Mountains of North America and the U.S. state of Colorado. It is located in the Sawatch Range within San Isabel National Forest, 12.26 miles (19.71 km) west by south of the Town of Buena Vista in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States.
Geography
At 14,003 feet (4,271 m) elevation, Huron Peak is the ninth highest fourteener in Colorado. Due to its remote location far from any major population centers, it sees considerably less hiking and climbing traffic than many other fourteeners in the same range.
Location
Huron Peak is located along the Continental Divide, as well as the drainage divide between the Arkansas River and the Colorado River. It lies 2.3 miles south of La Plata Peak, its lower companion along the divide.
Climbing routes
The standard hiking route follows the Class 2 northwest ridge up from Upper Halfmoon Creek Basin. An alternate Class 2 route begins further south at Winfield, following the South Fork of Clear Creek past Grizzly and Negron Lakes. The summit offers majestic views of the surrounding Sawatch and Mosquito Ranges.
History
The first recorded ascent of Huron Peak was in 1877 by Reverend James B. Gardner and his party. They approached via the standard northwest ridge. The original name of the mountain was Big Chief Mountain. It acquired its current name in the early 1870s in reference to the Huron Indians.
Naming
The current name refers to the Wyandot (Huron) tribe, who lived around the eastern shores of Lake Huron in what is now Quebec and Ontario, Canada. Gardner gave Huron Peak its present-day name, thinking that the large, still body of water resembled a chief, and so the mountains around it were named for Indian tribes.
Recent history
In the last two decades, Huron Peak has grown more popular as Colorado fourteener enthusiasts tackle more of the state’s highest mountains. However, it remains a less crowded climb compared to other fourteeners nearby, like La Plata Peak.
Geography riddles
Riddle 1
I’m one of Colorado’s fourteeners, lofty and remote.
Far from roads am I, the crowds do I promote.
Along the Divide I rise above tree line,
Looking to La Plata, my lower neighbor fine.
What mountain am I?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 2
In feet, my elevation a hair short of the mark,
Among Colorado’s highest peaks I make my start.
Not the highest but close, only eight stand taller,
Looking to my neighbor peaks, their heights I do baller.
What mountain am I?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 3
The numbers one four zero zero three,
My lofty elevation do decree.
Rising high above Halfmoon Creek’s cold flow,
A rocky summit amidst the Colorado snow.
What peak holds this height for all to see?
Answer: Huron Peak
Climbing riddles
Riddle 4
The easiest path to my top, experts concur,
Follows my ridge up from a basin demure.
Scrambling up rocks, this Class Two climb,
Rewards with views, majestic and sublime.
What peak beckons climbers to come concur?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 5
From Winfield, my southside route ascends,
Passing Negron, Grizzly Lakes, the trail up it wends.
Follow the creek’s south fork with focused attention,
For off-trail excursions, you’ll need route-finding dimension.
Which remote peak offers this hiking contention?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 6
The standard route calls this slope “northwest ridge,”
But southeast it runs, a geographic smidge.
No matter which way you trace its rocky spine,
A Class Two climb up, with rewards so fine.
Name this mountain with compass-nameridge.
Answer: Huron Peak
History riddles
Riddle 7
A man of the cloth first stood atop my crown,
Back in eighteen seventy seven, I’ll just write it down.
With his trusted party this peak he did spy,
And christened it with a Native American tribe.
Whose name did this preacher for me define?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 8
Reverend James B. Gardner I cite,
For my first recorded ascent was he who led the hike.
In eighteen seventy seven, this man of the cloth,
Up my steep slopes and ridges he did saunter aloft.
Which peak did this preacher first document hiked?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 9
Once called Big Chief Mountain in days before,
My current name to a tribe it does restore.
For the Huron people was I newly ordained,
When Gardner my rugged slopes had gained.
Which peak now bears this native tribe’s name?
Answer: Huron Peak
Comparison riddles
Riddle 10
Higher than me are just eight Colorado mountains,
My elevation with the highest does count.
Though remote, each year more hikers my summit pursue,
But still I see less crowds than most others do.
Which solitary peak draws less crowds anew?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 11
Near to La Plata’s lofty height I reside,
But fewer boots tread upon my slopes each stride.
Among the fourteeners, busier trails most do tout,
Yet I remain a peak more hikers do without.
Which lonesome summit sees less people about?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 12
My neighbor peak some call La Plata the “Ice Queen,”
Her frosty flakes draw climbers, often to preen.
While I too summit in the clouds, I deter less,
Despite impressive views as an experience ingress.
Which peak keeps its treasures more under duress?
Answer: Huron Peak
Word riddles
Riddle 13
My first is in summit but not in peak,
My second is in glacier but not in creek.
My third is in mountain but not in hill,
My fourth is in ascend but not in thrill.
My whole is a Colorado fourteener still.
What am I?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 14
Take the first letter of elevation,
Followed by letters two and three of location.
The next letter should be number one,
Then take the last letter of recreation.
Put them together and title I’ve won.
What Colorado peak matches this concoction?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 15
Mix up these letters into a word,
uhuropank – have you solved what I’ve stirred?
Unjumble my name, of letters just eight,
A rocky summit, of Colorado’s highest state.
What remote peak have my letters spelled straight?
Answer: Huron Peak
Metaphor riddles
Riddle 16
I stand like a sentinel, steadfast and bold,
Watching over the valley, like a story foretold.
My rocky cliffs weather the wind and the rain,
Through sunshine and snowfall, my resolve does remain.
What unmoving giant fits well in this refrain?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 17
Like a throne overlooking all it surveys,
My summit keeps watch over night and day.
The vast mountain kingdom beneath my feet sprawls,
As I count my royal subjects – the pines and waterfalls.
What sovereign peak depicts nature’s highest halls?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 18
I stand guard like a lighthouse beside the dark sea,
My beacon shines bright for all climbers to see.
Though storms may rage and winds try to shake,
I hold my post, solid ground I don’t forsake.
Which peak metaphor fits, can you tell me?
Answer: Huron Peak
Rhyming riddles
Riddle 19
Reaching up to the sky so blue,
My rocky heights await to view.
As penance for your steep hike sin,
Majestic sights I will let you win.
What Colorado summit matches this rhyming spin?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 20
Rocky and remote, I brush the clouds,
O’erlooking verdant mountain crowds.
I may deter some with my sheer ascent,
But those who conquer give their knees lament.
Can you name this peak in rhyme evident?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 21
Untraveled trails lead up to my crown,
A lofty perch above tree line brown.
While neighboring peaks draw hiking lines,
I remain a gem for discerning climbing minds.
What remote summit completes these rhyming lines?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddles for kids
Riddle 22
High in the sky a mountaintop,
Where mountain goats and climbers hop.
A long hike up to reach my top,
A view so nice you can’t want to stop!
What Colorado peak fits in this rhyme nonstop?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 23
I start with an H and end with a K,
I’m found in Colorado, that’s no mistake!
I tower high, a rocky giant,
Looking down on valleys deep and silent.
What lofty peak am I in this rhyming statement?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 24
Counting syllables can help you see,
That fourteen syllables describe me.
I’m a Colorado mountain high and remote,
A long tough climb, but pretty sights promote.
What peak’s lengthy name matches this note?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddles for adults
Riddle 25
Of Colorado’s fourteeners, I rank not the highest, but still claim lofty fame.
Weather shapes my moods, sculpting slopes and spires that adventure seekers aim to tame.
Climb me if you dare, but only seasoned veterans should my upper reaches dare.
Remote yet alluring, I beckon those who treasure nature’s gifts both bare and rare.
What challenging peak fits this thoughtful snare?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 26
I may deter casual hikers with my long and rugged climb,
But those who accept my challenge think the effort’s worth their time.
While my neighbors boast busy trails and crowded parking lots,
I remain an enigma for planners of mountain treks and thoughts.
Solitude and beauty reward those who can decipher plots.
Name this peak for discerning alpine guides and their crews well taught.
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 27
Let other peaks attract the hype of names both known and touted,
I’ll play the sleeper of the bunch, though just as high when scouted.
Find me on your topo map between the rivers Ark and Blue,
Then lace your boots and shoulder pack to glimpse my heights anew.
What remote fourteener should thrill adventure seekers true?
Answer: Huron Peak
Funny riddles
Riddle 28
Through sleet, snow and rain,
My summit does remain.
Hikers think I’m nuts,
Climbing my rocky guts.
Who am I, this peak you must ascertain?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 29
Some call me aloof, unsocial, remote,
But that’s just because they can’t match my steep slopes!
Sure I deter newbies with my Class Two climb,
But hardcore hikers think I’m worth their time.
What challenging fourteener upholds this climbing mime?
Answer: Huron Peak
Riddle 30
The crowds flock to my popular neighbor,
While I watch feeling somewhat lonelier.
But there’s solace in solitude if you know where to roam,
So come hike me, and avoid the busy parking zone!
What overlooked peak beckons hikers to leave others alone?
Answer: Huron Peak
Conclusion
Riddle 31
I hope you enjoyed these riddles typed,
About a Colorado peak I hyped.
With clever rhymes I aimed to teach,
This mountain’s history and feats to reach.
So tell me now, what remote fourteener was my speech?
Answer: Huron Peak
