Mount Dana is a prominent mountain in Yosemite National Park in California, with an elevation of 13,053 feet (3,981 m). It’s a popular hiking destination that offers incredible views of the park. Let’s explore 50 riddles about this majestic mountain to test your knowledge and wit!
Section 1: General Mount Dana Riddles
Riddle #1
I’m one of California’s highest peaks, towering in Yosemite Park. My name honors a mineral surveyor back when California was still a territory and not yet a state. What mountain am I?
Answer:
Mount Dana
Riddle #2
I’m found right next to Mount Dana, but at 13,114 feet, I’m actually 61 feet taller. My name ends with an “A” just like my neighbor. Who am I?
Answer:
Mount Lyell
Riddle #3
I’m a giant sequoia tree that stands near the base of Mount Dana. With over 1,500 years of life under my bark, I’ve seen generations pass through these parts. What am I called?
Answer:
The Dana Tree
Riddle #4
I’m an alpine lake that sits right at the foot of Mount Dana, providing an excellent place for hikers to rest. My name means “gem” or “jewel” in Spanish. What am I?
Answer:
Lake Gem
Riddle #5
I’m the type of igneous rock that makes up most of Mount Dana. When lava or magma cools slowly underground, I form. What rock am I?
Answer:
Granite
Section 2: Mount Dana Hiking Riddles
Riddle #6
I’m the most popular and direct hiking route up to Mount Dana’s summit. I connect Tuolumne Meadows to the peak with elevation gain along the way. What trail am I?
Answer:
The Mount Dana Trail
Riddle #7
I’m a 10.5-mile hiking route up Mount Dana that also includes a 2,000-foot scramble off-trail up Dana Couloir. What longer but even more scenic trail incorporates the standard route as well?
Answer:
The Cathedral Lakes Trail
Riddle #8
We’re a famous pair of alpine lakes nestled below Mount Dana near Cathedral Pass at elevations over 10,000 feet. Cross-country travelers enjoy stopping here. What are we?
Answer:
The Cathedral Lakes
Riddle #9
I’m the lowest point on the hike up Mount Dana where trails start from, sitting at an elevation of 8,700 feet. What area of Yosemite am I?
Answer:
Tuolumne Meadows
Riddle #10
I’m the pass you must reach around 12,000 feet before climbing Dana’s summit the last bit of the way. What two words is my name made up of?
Answer:
Cathedral Pass
Section 3: Geography Riddles
Riddle #11
What major crest divides the west and east sides of the Sierra Nevada that Mount Dana sits on the eastern side of?
Answer:
Sierra Crest
Riddle #12
What river begins close to Mount Dana’s summit from melting snowfields and streams? I flow over 250 miles before emptying into San Francisco Bay.
Answer:
The Tuolumne River
Riddle #13
I’m a famous valley over 1,000 feet deep just 9 miles west of Mount Dana as the crow flies. Yosemite Valley rings a bell. What massive granite cliffs mark my eastern boundary?
Answer:
El Capitan
Riddle #14
What subrange of the Sierra Nevada does Mount Dana belong to, known for spectacular high country and glacier-carved peaks?
Answer:
The Ritter Range
Riddle #15
What historic pass did early settlers cross 20 miles north of Mount Dana to reach Yosemite Valley and the gold fields beyond?
Answer:
Tioga Pass
Section 4: Geology Riddles
Riddle #16
What geologic uplift contributed largely to the height of Mount Dana and the Sierra Nevada Mountains over 10 million years ago?
Answer:
Fault block mountains lifted along the eastern Sierra fault zone
Riddle #17
During recent ice ages, what flowed down the couloirs and slopes of Mount Dana and carved out much of today’s landscape?
Answer:
Glaciers
Riddle #18
What takes place in Dana Couloir periodically, as gravity pulls loose rock down the same path glaciers once traveled?
Answer:
Rockfall events
Riddle #19
I’m a geologic process that formed the gentle foothills and valleys on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada like those on Mount Dana’s lower flanks. What natural process am I?
Answer:
Erosion from rivers and streams
Riddle #20
Mount Dana has this special designation for its role in natural history education and geological projects. What is it?
Answer:
Mount Dana is a registered National Natural Landmark.
Section 5: Dana Couloir Riddles
Riddle #21
I’m the famous 2,000-foot chute slash gully slash couloir climbing straight up Mount Dana’s eastern flank. Rockfall and eroding forces keep me steep. What am I called?
Answer:
Dana Couloir
Riddle #22
What mountaineering skill do I require climbing up Dana Couloir? Between kicking steps and using an ice axe for balance, I’m not for beginners.
Answer:
Technical climbing ability
Riddle #23
In early summer, Dana Couloir still holds enough of me to require an ice axe and crampons to ascend safely. What am I?
Answer:
Snow and ice
Riddle #24
I’m the rated difficulty grade for climbing Dana Couloir according to the Sierra Club. My rating indicates steep, exposed class 3 terrain. What do grade am I?
Answer:
Class 3 rating
Riddle #25
Late summer is actually more hazardous for ascending Dana Couloir due to increase of what without supportive snowpack? One touch can trigger a deadly slide.
Answer:
Rockfall danger
Section 6: Flora & Fauna Riddles
Riddle #26
We’re the rare type of tiny wildflowers that manage to bloom close to Mount Dana’s barren, windswept summit each summer. Who are we?
Answer:
Sierra primrose
Riddle #27
I’m the bushy conifer species that dominates most slopes of Mount Dana up to treeline. My bark smells lemony and my needles group in fives. What hardy tree am I?
Answer:
Whitebark pine
Riddle #28
We’re the state mammal of California and call Yosemite and the slopes of Mount Dana home. We have excellent climbers with our padded paws and claws. What agile animal are we?
Answer:
The Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep
Riddle #29
What bird of prey is frequently spotted circling Mount Dana’s summit on thermals and wind currents searching for its next meal?
Answer:
Golden eagle
Riddle #30
Yosemite’s historic firefall originated on Glacier Point and appeared to dramatically cascade down which flank of Mount Dana?
Answer:
The northwest flank
Section 7: History Riddles
Riddle #31
What Native American tribe inhabited the Mount Dana area for over 3,000 years before Yosemite became a national park?
Answer:
The Ahwahneechee tribe
Riddle #32
What early Yosemite guardian, conservationist and Sierra Club co-founder was integral in preserving Mount Dana and advocating for national park status?
Answer:
John Muir
Riddle #33
What pioneering female photographer captured iconic Mount Dana scenes in the 1860s-1880s that inspired early park visitors?
Answer:
Carleton Watkins
Riddle #34
I’m the Native American name the Ahwahneechee gave to Mount Dana area before visitors arrived. Translated as “grizzly bear,” I reflected the once abundant species. What was my name?
Answer:
Oo-soo’-ma-te (also spelled Awahnee, Owwoni, or Ow-soo’-ma-te)
Riddle #35
Whose controversial late 19th century “utter destruction order” aimed to drive natives from Yosemite allowed unchecked mining exploitation around Mount Dana for years after?
Answer:
Galen Clark
Section 8: Art & Culture Riddles
Riddle #36
I’m an Ansel Adams photograph featuring Mount Dana’s summit and the Dana Glacier. My title references geological upheaval and shaping forces. What iconic image am I?
Answer:
“Monolith: The Face of Half Dome”
Riddle #37
I’m an Albert Bierstadt painting from the 1870s capturing Mount Dana, Tuolumne Meadows and Lembert Dome in dramatic style. What two-word name did he give me?
Answer:
“A Storm in the Rocky Mountains”
Riddle #38
What epic 15-minute orchestral work by Ferde Grofé musically depicts a day in Yosemite from sunrise over Mount Dana to sunset from Glacier Point?
Answer:
“Grand Canyon Suite”
Riddle #39
I wrote an early 20th century poem titled “Scrambling on Mount Dana” after scaling its slopes myself. Who am I?
Answer:
May Matthews
Riddle #40
Naturalist John Muir compared Mount Dana’s commanding summit to what Scottish peak known for its misty isolation?
Answer:
The mountain Ben Nevis
Section 9: Destinations Riddles
Riddle #41
I’m a soaring granite wall just east of Mount Dana in Yosemite whose steep face draws daring rock climbers from around the world. My last name is shared with a certain reindeer. What formation am I?
Answer:
Stately Pleasure Dome
Riddle #42
What high-altitude scenic overlook lies less than 5 miles southeast from Mount Dana? Its dome shape and light color stand out!
Answer:
Lembert Dome
Riddle #43
What massive granite monolith in Yosemite Valley northeast of Mount Dana has an iconic split detached slab and stands over 3,000 feet tall?
Answer:
El Capitan
Riddle #44
I’m a tall cascading Yosemite waterfall whose source lies not far from Mount Dana’s slopes. Yosemite Falls has me beat for height at 2,425 feet. Who am I?
Answer:
Ribbon Fall
Riddle #45
Just 10 miles west of Mount Dana sits what world famous granite cliff attraction with epic views? No guardrails keep visitors safe up here!
Answer:
Glacier Point
Section 10: Weather & Climate Riddles
Riddle #46
What weather station close to Mount Dana holds the record for the highest 24-hour snowfall in California at 67 inches over one day in January 1982?
Answer:
Tioga Pass weather station
Riddle #47
I’m a weather phenomenon that frequently whips up on Mount Dana’s summit, making conditions extra icy in winter. Gusts can reach over 100 mph! What am I called?
Answer:
Sierra wave wind
Riddle #48
In what month does the Dana Glacier on Mount Dana’s slopes reach peak melt runoff?
Answer:
July
Riddle #49
What was the record minimum temperature atop Mount Dana of -27°F set back in December 1998 showing how extreme it gets?
Answer:
Minus 27 degrees Fahrenheit
Riddle #50
True or false: Mount Dana’s summit receives less annual precipitation than Death Valley due to a significant rainshadow effect.
Answer:
True
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these 50 riddles testing your wits about Mount Dana! This iconic Yosemite peak has incredible natural and cultural history as highlighted by the brainteasers. Whether you’re an experienced mountaineer or just enjoy riddles, climbing to new heights in knowledge through puzzles brings out everyone’s inner explorer.
The towering summit of Mount Dana continues to inspire from its heights over 13,000 feet, as it has for centuries past and will for centuries to come. Its cliffs, couloirs and alpine lakes reveal new surprises season after season for return visitors and newcomers alike.
