Kit Carson Mountain is a prominent peak located in the Sangre de Cristo Range of south-central Colorado. Rising to an elevation of 14,165 feet, it towers above the surrounding landscape and offers incredible views. Let’s explore some riddles related to this Colorado icon!
Geography
Riddle 1
Although not Colorado’s highest peak, I stand tall and proud, my summit capped in white even when summer clouds me round. Custer County claims me as its own – now can you name this mountain of stone?
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Riddle 2
My western slopes fall within the boundaries of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness; my height exceeds fourteens thousand feet – yet Pikes and Longs and Elbert all defeat me.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Geology
Riddle 3
My peaks are made of ancient stone that from the earth was uplifted and thrown; three hundred million years now past since molten rock first cooled so fast.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Riddle 4
Glaciers carved my rugged form, slicing valleys, leaving tarns; erratic boulders squat and dwell in places where the ice once fell.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Flora & Fauna
Riddle 5
In spring, sweet mariposa lilies paint my meadows white and gold; in summer, rosy Indian paintbrush daubs my slopes in colors bold.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Riddle 6
My cliffs and crags provide a home for the great horned owl at night; my pikas whistle from the rocks that stand above the timberline.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
History
Riddle 7
I’m named for the famed frontier scout who traversed this wild land west; he guided Fremont’s expeditions when trappers reigned out west.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Riddle 8
Utes and Apaches hunted here before settlers staked their claims; with pickaxe, shovel, pans for gold – fortune’s what the miners named.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Recreation
Riddle 9
In summer hikers climb my trail to glimpse the views I grant; in winter stalwart skiers carve fresh tracks upon my slant.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Riddle 10
My highest point they call Challenger – it rises past fourteen thousand feet tall; to summit it is quite a feat – the views pay back the work of all.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Weather
Riddle 11
Snow whips within my winter storms and ten feet deep can blow; my springtime sun reveals the scene – snowmelt rushes down below.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Riddle 12
Dark thunderclouds frequent my heights, sparking lightning strikes I host; sharp cracks of thunder echo as raindrops pelt my stony ghost.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Wildlife
Riddle 13
I am home to bighorn sheep unafraid of craggy steeps; sure-footed on my cliffs they leap from rocky perch to stony keep.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Riddle 14
A flash of blue, a streak of black – a Steller’s jay darts by; crosstown rivals of the Clark’s nutcracker, their harsh cries fill my sky.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Nature’s Art
Riddle 15
My meadows don a quilt of wildflowers – paintbrush, lupine, daisies bright; columbine and larkspur too, a patchwork of purple, red and white.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Riddle 16
My aspens shimmer silver-gold when autumn breezes play; their dancing leaves perform for all beneath skies of blue-gray.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Adventure
Riddle 17
I lure the bold who crave the climb to rugged footholds high; who dare to scale my lofty realms and touch my cloud-kissed sky.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Riddle 18
My boulder fields and talus slopes reveal a land untouched; where nature’s law, not humankind’s, still firmly reigns as such.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Seasons
Riddle 19
I wear white snows as winter’s cloak, then springtime gently thaws; green summer clothes my shoulders next, a brilliant fall encore.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Riddle 20
While spring reveals my high alpine, when wildflowers brightly bloom; autumn lures visitors to hike amidst my aspen’s gold costume.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Climbing Kit Carson
Riddle 21
Our route began at Willow Creek where hikers stride with ease; yet soon the air grew thin, our lungs cried out – we’d climbed in altitude with speed!
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Riddle 22
We passed the radio towers standing sentinel and tall; at their base we caught our breath as scree now threatened all.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Riddle 23
The final push – Challenger Point – nearly claimed defeat; yet step by step we persevered toward our complete ascent.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
At the Summit
Riddle 24
We stand atop the lofty height, saw mountains round unfurled – below, my western wilderness stretched – I love this rugged world!
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Riddle 25
From this view we spot the Crestones, the Sneffles Range, and more; we trace the Rio Grande River like a winding silvered chore.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Descending
Riddle 26
The scree we treat with care, aware loose stones bring danger new; with steady steps and poles for balance, we make our way on through.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Riddle 27
Now on the wooded western slopes, the birdsong fills the air; through dappled shade we wind our way, limbs waving everywhere.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Legacy
Riddle 28
My native name was Bloodless Chief for peace was his renown; Kit Carson, famed scout and guide – ’tis he for whom I’m now named.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Riddle 29
14ers seek to climb my face; hikers yearn to touch my crown – Challenger Point is my apex, o’erlooking all around.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Protection
Riddle 30
To shield my western wilderness, they passed a bill one day – no roads, machines or mines allowed! My wilds here safely stay.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Riddle 31
This Sangre de Cristo range, these mountains old I call my kin – their canyons still untrammeled, free from infrastructure and its din.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
Conclusion
Riddle 32
So if you yearn for mountain scenes and love the rugged wild – come! let us climb Kit Carson through its seasons and its trials.
Answer:
Kit Carson Mountain
