La Plata Peak is one of Colorado’s famous “fourteeners” – mountains that reach over 14,000 feet in elevation. Located in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness near Leadville, La Plata Peak stands at 14,336 feet tall. It’s a popular hiking destination thanks to stunning views, a moderate but long hike, and the fun challenge of solving riddles along the way.
In this article, we’ve compiled 57 riddles about La Plata Peak along with the answers. Test your knowledge of this Colorado fourteener as you make your way to the summit!
The Peak
Riddle: What two mountain ranges does La Plata Peak straddle?
Answer: The Sawatch Range and the Mosquito Range
Riddle: True or false: La Plata Peak is one of Colorado’s “fourteeners” – peaks over 14,000 feet.
Answer: True
Riddle: At 14,336 feet elevation, La Plata Peak ranks ______ highest of Colorado’s fourteeners.
Answer: 5th
The Hike
Riddle: The most popular route up La Plata Peak begins from a trailhead off of which highway?
Answer: Highway 82
Riddle: About how many miles round trip is the standard hiking route up La Plata Peak?
Answer: 9 miles
Riddle: The trailhead elevation for La Plata Peak is approximately ______ feet.
Answer: 10,800 feet
Geography
Riddle: True or false: La Plata Peak is located within the Sawatch Mountain Range.
Answer: False – La Plata Peak actually straddles the Sawatch Range and Mosquito Range.
Riddle: La Plata Peak is located closest to which Colorado town?
Answer: Leadville
Riddle: Which two Colorado counties is La Plata Peak located within?
Answer: Lake County and Chaffee County
Wildlife
Riddle: Which horned mountain dweller might you spot on the slopes of La Plata Peak?
Answer: Bighorn sheep
Riddle: What is the Colorado state animal that lives in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness where La Plata Peak resides?
Answer: Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep
Riddle: You might spot this quick critter darting through rocks on La Plata Peak – marmot, pika, or porcupine?
Answer: Pika
Flora
Riddle: Countless wildflowers bloom on La Plata Peak each summer. What is Colorado’s state flower?
Answer: Colorado blue columbine
Riddle: The tree line in Colorado tends to reach up to 11,000-12,000 feet in elevation. What type of trees commonly mark the tree line on mountains like La Plata?
Answer: Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir
Riddle: Above tree line, you’ll find tough alpine vegetation. Rhymes with “heather plant”.
Answer: Tundra
History & Culture
Riddle: La Plata Peak was once called what before being renamed in the 1870’s?
Answer: Mount Jackson
Riddle: Famed Colorado mountaineer Carl Blaurock claimed to have climbed La Plata Peak over _____ times throughout his life.
Answer: 600
Riddle: In the early 1900s, this family built a stone cabin and hosted climbers on La Plata Peak for decades.
Answer: The Ellingwood family
The Name
Riddle: In Spanish, “la plata” translates to English as what?
Answer: The silver
Riddle: There are multiple theories about how La Plata Peak got its current name. It may reference deposits of silver or be named after the Rio de la Plata. Where is the Rio de la Plata?
Answer: Argentina and Uruguay in South America
Riddle: There is also speculation La Plata Peak is named after La Plata County. What Colorado county is La Plata County borders on the north?
Answer: San Juan County
The View
Riddle: On a clear day from La Plata’s summit, you can see the skyscrapers of which major U.S. city off in the distance?
Answer: Denver
Riddle: Look southwest from the top and on the horizon you’ll spy Colorado’s only ___________.
Answer: 14er volcano – Mount Elbert
Riddle: If it’s really clear out, peek down to spot turquoise waters – what reservoir?
Answer: Twin Lakes reservoir
The Weather
Riddle: Afternoon _________ are common on La Plata Peak during summer hiking season.
Answer: thunderstorms
Riddle: Thanks to its high elevation, the summit of La Plata Peak maintains snowpack sometimes into what month?
Answer: July
Riddle: Wind speeds on La Plata Peak frequently reach ____ mph or higher.
Answer: 50
The Route
Riddle: The standard route up La Plata Peak follows a gulch or couloir. What is its name?
Answer: La Plata Gulch
Riddle: This section of rocky ledges on the climb often proves tricky for hikers. Rhymes with “knee gland bow”.
Answer: Needle and Bow
Riddle: The last stretch to La Plata’s summit requires scrambling up a steep, rocky _______.
Answer: gully
The Adventure
Riddle: La Plata Peak involves nearly _____ feet of elevation gain during the 9-mile round trip hike.
Answer: 5,000
Riddle: The standard route up La Plata Peak is considered a ____ hike during summer conditions.
Answer: Class 2
Riddle: Advanced hikers sometimes take on the more challenging East ________ route up La Plata Peak.
Answer: Face
The Gear
Riddle: La Plata Peak often involves hiking on steep __________, where traction devices come in handy.
Answer: snowfields
Riddle: Once above tree line, little shelter from wind and storms – so be sure to pack a ____ layer!
Answer: Shell
Riddle: Since altitude sickness is a risk on fourteeners, always wise to pack this medication just in case.
Answer: Acetazolamide/Diamox
The Training
Riddle: Climbers advise getting in “fourteener shape” for La Plata Peak. Rule of thumb – be able to hike _____ miles with ____ pounds on your back.
Answer: 10, 20
Riddle: Acclimate to the altitude by camping and hiking at what elevation for 1-3 days beforehand?
Answer: 10,000 feet
Riddle: This athletic activity doubles as great training for La Plata’s rugged, uphill terrain. Rhymes with biking.
Answer: Hiking
The Reward
Riddle: Join the La Plata Peak summit club! Those who sign the register at the top get membership in what group?
Answer: 14ers.com
Riddle: Revel in success during a rewarding break at the mountaintop _______ shelter.
Answer: Stone
Riddle: Take pride in the view you worked so hard for! What percent of Colorado peaks top out lower than La Plata?
Answer: 99%
Staying Safe
Riddle: Start early to minimize danger from this physiological risk that increases with altitude. Rhymes with “pass might sick kness”.
Answer: Acute mountain sickness
Riddle: Getting caught in bad weather? Seek shelter behind __________ whenever possible for protection.
Answer: Windbreaks/Rock formations
Riddle: If injured or lost, follow this first rule: ________, ________, ________.
Answer: Stop, Think, Observe
Conclusion
From its towering summit to the winding climb, La Plata Peak offers adventure, natural beauty, and fun riddles for hikers willing to take on the challenge. We hope unraveling this mountain’s mysteries gives you inspiration to experience it yourself. Just be sure to celebrate your victory over La Plata’s riddles and ridges safely with ample preparation. Happy hiking!
