Mount Bross is a high mountain summit located in the Mosquito Range of central Colorado. Rising to 14,172 feet above sea level, Mount Bross is one of Colorado’s famous “Fourteeners” (peaks over 14,000 feet) that attract hikers and mountaineers.
Here are 59 riddles about various facts and features related to Mount Bross, followed by the answers.
Geography Riddles
Riddle 1: What county is Mount Bross located in?
Answer: Lake County
Riddle 2: What mountain range is Mount Bross a part of?
Answer: The Mosquito Range
Riddle 3: True or false – Mount Bross is the highest peak in the Mosquito Range.
Answer: False (Mount Lincoln is the highest at 14,286 feet)
Riddle 4: What other three “Fourteeners” surround Mount Bross?
Answer: Mount Lincoln, Mount Cameron, and Mount Democrat
Riddle 5: What town is closest to Mount Bross?
Answer: Alma
Riddle 6: What river flows to the east of Mount Bross?
Answer: The South Platte River
Geology Riddles
Riddle 7: When did the last major glaciation shape Mount Bross and surrounding peaks?
Answer: During the Pleistocene epoch (over 11,000 years ago)
Riddle 8: What kind of igneous rock is Mount Bross primarily composed of?
Answer: Granite
Riddle 9: True or false – Mount Bross has several glacial cirques and arêtes.
Answer: True
Riddle 10: How did Mount Bross and nearby peaks form millions of years ago?
Answer: Through uplift and erosion of the earth’s crust/plates
Climate Riddles
Riddle 11: What is the average annual snowfall on Mount Bross?
Answer: 300 inches
Riddle 12: What month has the heaviest average snowfall on the mountain?
Answer: March
Riddle 13: True or false – Late spring/early summer snowstorms are common on Mount Bross.
Answer: True
Riddle 14: What causes the frequent afternoon thunderstorms near Mount Bross in summer?
Answer: Heat and moisture rising up the mountain slopes
Riddle 15: What time of day typically has the calmest winds on Mount Bross?
Answer: Early morning
Flora & Fauna Riddles
Riddle 16: What types of trees can be found at the lower elevations of Mount Bross?
Answer: Aspen, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine
Riddle 17: What mammal species living on Mount Bross has fur that changes to white in winter?
Answer: Snowshoe hare
Riddle 18: True or false – Pika, marmots, and mountain goats inhabit Mount Bross.
Answer: True
Riddle 19: What fish species is found in streams near Mount Bross?
Answer: Brook trout
Riddle 20: Grizzly bears have lived on Mount Bross in the past. When did they become extinct in Colorado?
Answer: 1970s
Human History Riddles
Riddle 21: Mount Bross is named after a politician who surveyed land in Colorado. What is his first and last name?
Answer: Charles E. Bross
Riddle 22: Mining was prevalent around Mount Bross in the 1800s. What metal was mined?
Answer: Silver
Riddle 23: True or false – Mount Bross was once called “Gray’s Peak Number Two.”
Answer: True
Riddle 24: In 1959, a B-17 aircraft crashed into Mount Bross. Where was the plane departing from and heading to?
Answer: Departing from Lowry Air Force Base in Denver and heading to Greeley
Riddle 25: The Mosquito Range was originally inhabited by which Native American tribes?
Answer: Ute tribes
Ascent Riddles
Riddle 26: How long does it typically take experienced hikers to summit Mount Bross?
Answer: 4-6 hours round trip
Riddle 27: What is the elevation gain for a standard route up Mount Bross?
Answer: Approximately 3,500 feet
Riddle 28: True or false – most climbing routes for Mount Bross start from Kite Lake.
Answer: False (they start from nearby road access points)
Riddle 29: Late summer ascents can be difficult due to what type of weather conditions?
Answer: Afternoon thunderstorms
Riddle 30: Along with endurance, what is the most important item to bring when climbing Mount Bross?
Answer: Water/hydration
Routefinding Riddles
Riddle 31: Is there a standard hiking trail to the summit of Mount Bross?
Answer: No, it requires cross-country travel and routefinding ability
Riddle 32: What two other Fourteeners can be climbed along with Mount Bross as part of a longer “loop” route?
Answer: Mount Lincoln and Mount Cameron
Riddle 33: True or false – descending the east slopes of Mount Bross leads towards Mount Democrat.
Answer: True
Riddle 34: When is snow likely to obscure the mountaintop cairns used to mark the summit route?
Answer: Late spring and early summer
Riddle 35: Glacier-smoothed granite found on upper slopes of Mount Bross poses what hazard?
Answer: Slippery footing
Safety Riddles
Riddle 36: What is the main cause of accidents on Mount Bross?
Answer: Altitude sickness/lightning strikes
Riddle 37: At what time of year are avalanches most likely on Mount Bross?
Answer: Early spring (March-May)
Riddle 38: True or false – there is cell phone coverage along most climbing routes.
Answer: False
Riddle 39: What essential gear protects climbers from hypothermia and frostbite?
Answer: Warm layers, gloves, hat
Riddle 40: Due to altitude, what symptom may mountaineers struggle with near the summit?
Answer: Shortness of breath/headaches
Regulations Riddles
Riddle 41: Is there a fee or permit required to climb Mount Bross?
Answer: No
Riddle 42: Can campfires be built on Mount Bross without restrictions?
Answer: No (campfires not recommended due to limited wood)
Riddle 43: True or false – pets like dogs are allowed on trails but must be leashed.
Answer: True
Riddle 44: Is there a limit on group size for climbing Mount Bross?
Answer: No enforceable limit but small groups recommended
Riddle 45: Backcountry skiers/snowboarders use Mount Bross. Does the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association manage winter recreation access here?
Answer: No (the nearby 10th Mountain Division Hut System spans from Vail Pass to Aspen)
Mountaineering Challenges Riddles
Riddle 46: Late summer ascents often encounter what hazard caused by melting snowfields?
Answer: Wet, slippery, or unstable terrain
Riddle 47: What time constraints do mountaineers face to finish an ascent safely?
Answer: Summiting and descending before afternoon storms/darkness
Riddle 48: True or false – the broad, open summit provides great views but poses increased lightning risk.
Answer: True
Riddle 49: For what reasons do climbers sometimes turn around before reaching the actual summit?
Answer: Weather changes, fatigue, sickness, pace issues, injury risk
Riddle 50: How may deep snow impact finding the best line up Mount Bross?
Answer: Obscures terrain features/route markers
Guide Services Riddles
Riddle 51: What guide company operates on Mount Bross?
Answer: No guided climbs are offered, only self-guided hiking
Riddle 52: Can Jeep tours drive all the way to summit?
Answer: No (the summit involves technical climbing/hiking)
Riddle 53: True or false – dogsled tours operate on Mount Bross in winter.
Answer: False
Riddle 54: Does Mount Bross have a climbing hut near the summit to accommodate guided trips?
Answer: No
Riddle 55: Are there outfitter businesses renting mountaineering gear or 4X4 vehicles specially for accessing Mount Bross?
Answer: No, climbers must source their own gear and transportation
Mount Bross Lore Riddles
Riddle 56: Is there an old abandoned mine located directly on Mount Bross?
Answer: No
Riddle 57: True or false – Mount Bross has Native American spiritual significance.
Answer: False (not specifically documented)
Riddle 58: What political figure cited Mount Bross in arguing for Colorado statehood?
Answer: President Ulysses S. Grant
Riddle 59: Folk stories describe a “Blue Lady” ghost said to inhabit Mount Bross. When did people first report sightings?
Answer: 1860s during early prospecting days
Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed these riddles exploring Mount Bross! Colorado’s high peaks have endless stories and secrets to uncover just like these. See if you can solve even more riddles about the Centennial State’s incredible mountains.
