Longs Peak is a prominent mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. At 14,259 feet, it’s one of Colorado’s famous 14ers. With its sheer vertical walls and rocky terrain, Longs Peak is a popular destination for experienced hikers and climbers. Let’s explore this iconic mountain through 30 fun riddles!
Riddles about the location and geography of Longs Peak
Riddle 1
I’m one of Colorado’s 53 fourteeners, a mountain peak over 14,000 feet. I tower high in Rocky Mountain National Park. What mountain am I?
Answer: Longs Peak
Riddle 2
You can find me in north-central Colorado as part of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. I’m about 15 miles southwest of the town of Estes Park. What mountain am I?
Answer: Longs Peak
Riddle 3
My summit stands at 14,259 feet, making me one of the highest peaks in Colorado. I’m a prominent fourteener visible from many parts of the state. What mountain could I be?
Answer: Longs Peak
Riddles about the geology and terrain of Longs Peak
Riddle 4
My East Face is an imposing vertical cliff made of solid granite rising over 1,000 feet. Rock climbers love the challenge I present. What peak has this sheer rock wall?
Answer: Longs Peak
Riddle 5
I have a large and blocky summit massif formed from ancient granite, gneiss and schist. Hikers say I look like an enormous overturned battleship. What mountain could this describe?
Answer: Longs Peak
Riddle 6
Glaciers have carved my granite to produce jagged arêtes, U-shaped cirques, and tonnes of loose rock and scree. Even in summer, some snow lingers in shadowed pockets in my forbidding terrain. What peak am I?
Answer: Longs Peak
Riddles about climbing Longs Peak
Riddle 7
I’m one of Colorado’s most popular climbing fourteeners, but am very risky and difficult if you’re not well prepared. Over 60,000 people attempt to reach my summit each summer. What treacherous peak draws so many visitors?
Answer: Longs Peak
Riddle 8
Reaching my summit involves scaling nearly 5,000 vertical feet on steep, exposed terrain. Most climbers start before dawn to reach my top and get down before dangerous afternoon storms. Which mountain requires this very early start?
Answer: Longs Peak
Riddle 9
Climbers must sign in before attempting to summit me and must carry special equipment like climbing gear, altitude medication, and extra layers. Why am I so strict?
Answer: Because Longs Peak is extremely dangerous and difficult if not well prepared.
Riddles about famous spots and routes on Longs Peak
Riddle 10
I’m an nearly vertical 1,000 foot cliff on Longs Peak that’s popular with advanced rock climbers. My granite rock features great cracks and edges for climbing. What am I called?
Answer: The Diamond on Longs Peak
Riddle 11
I’m the easiest and most popular hiking route to the summit, though still very challenging. I involve steep ledges, vertical rock walls, and narrow passages. What’s my name?
Answer: The Keyhole Route
Riddle 12
I’m an exposed granite ledge with nearly 2,000 foot vertical drops on both sides that must be traversed to reach Longs Peak’s summit. Most hikers consider me the scariest part! What frightening ledge am I?
Answer: The Ledges
Riddles about the wildlife and vegetation on Longs Peak
Riddle 13
In summer, colorful wildflowers like sky pilot and alpine forget-me-nots blanket my rocky slopes. What Colorado peak hosts these high-altitude flowers?
Answer: Longs Peak
Riddle 14
Sure-footed bighorn sheep, yellow-bellied marmots, pikas and other alpine critters make their home in my boulder fields and talus slopes. What do they call home?
Answer: Longs Peak
Riddle 15
Soaring golden eagles and falcon nest among my sheer cliffs. Below, herds of elk and mule deer roam the mountain’s lower slopes and valleys. What peak am I?
Answer: Longs Peak
Riddles about Longs Peak’s history and famous climbs
Riddle 16
I’m the U.S. Army scout said to be first person to climb this peak back in 1868. Park rangers named a camping spot after me at the base of the mountain. Who am I?
Answer: John Wesley Powell
Riddle 17
We were the second party ever recorded to reach Longs Peak’s summit in 1871, including the first woman. Isabella Bird wrote about it her popular book, A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains. Who was she with?
Answer: Estes and Eddy from the nearby town of Estes Park
Riddle 18
I’m the Colorado climber who shockingly soloed the nearly vertical East Face of Longs Peak in 1960 without any ropes or protection. My dangerous climb is legendary! Who am I?
Answer: Jerry Gallwas
Riddles about deaths and rescues on Longs Peak
Riddle 19
My name is Lambs Slide. Back in 1887, two climbers died in a fall while descending from Longs Peak on my steep, icy snowfield. Who were the doomed pair?
Answer: Lamb and Slide (this is how Lambs Slide got its name)
Riddle 20
Park rangers sadly recover multiple bodies from Longs Peak’s rugged terrain each year. Why are so many deaths common?
Answer: Because the mountain conditions are extremely dangerous if climbers are not well prepared or experienced.
Riddle 21
Over 300 search and rescue missions happen on the peak annually. What contributes to many mountain emergencies?
Answer: Harsh weather, steep slopes leading to falls, altitude sickness, inadequate gear/fitness, becoming lost, etc.
Riddles about Longs Peak in pop culture
Riddle 22
A folk song written in 1963 by John Denver romanticizes a fateful climb up “this bloody mountain.” What well-known song and artist does this describe?
Answer: “Longs Peak” written and sung by John Denver
Riddle 23
I’m an 80s American metal band named after a technical rock climbing route to the top of Longs Peak requiring over 30 rope lengths. What metal group shares its name with this route?
Answer: Diamond Head
Riddle 24
Stephen King fans may know that the Overlook Hotel in The Shining is inspired by a certain historic early 20th century Colorado resort. Where is this creepy hotel that Stuart Ullman simply describes as “one big, roach motel” located?
Answer: At the base of Longs Peak in the fictional town of Sidewinder, Colorado
Some final riddles about Longs Peak to solve
Riddle 25
August is generally the month with the most favorable weather for climbing me. Why is that?
Answer: Because late summer has more stable weather after spring snowmelt and before fall snowstorms.
Riddle 26
My indigenous name is Ta-pa-we-kha-wa-ka-nie-nee, meaning “two guides pointing the way.” What Native American tribe gave Longs Peak this meaningful name?
Answer: The Arapaho tribe
Riddle 27
What is the best time of day to start hiking Longs Peak and why?
Answer: Very early, before dawn – this gives maximum daytime hours to ascend and descend safely before the typical afternoon mountain storms.
Riddle 28
About 60% of climbers who attempt to reach Longs Peak’s summit make it. What are some of the main reasons more than a third don’t reach the top?
Answer: Physically unable due to altitude sickness, exhaustion, inadequate fitness. Forced to turn around due to dangerous weather conditions. Becoming too scared to continue along narrow, vertical parts of the route.
Riddle 29
Other than its sheer height, what makes Longs Peak one of Colorado’s most difficult fourteeners to climb?
Answer: The nearly vertical sections, narrow ledges with huge drop-offs, loose and uneven terrain, and quickly changing mountain weather make Longs Peak treacherous compared to less steep and technical peaks.
Riddle 30
Longs Peak sees over one death a year on average. Why is it such a dangerous mountain?
Answer: The steep, exposed routes, frequent bad weather, altitude sickness, falling rocks, and need for technical climbing gear/skills contribute to a high mortality rate.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these riddles about the notorious and magnificent Longs Peak! This iconic Colorado mountain certainly has an intriguing history and landscape. Though be warned, Longs Peak’s slopes and cliffs should only be attempted by very experienced and prepared climbers. The dangers are all too real, but overcoming the challenge offers unparalleled rewards.
