Mount Lincoln is a high and prominent mountain summit in the Mosquito Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. Situated in Pike National Forest, Mount Lincoln flanks the town of Alma and towers above the southeastern end of the Continental Divide. An ultra-prominent 14,293-foot fourteener, Mount Lincoln is the eighth-highest summit in the U.S. State of Colorado. Mount Lincoln is a challenging climb with extremely steep terrain, and should only be attempted by experienced mountaineers.
Riddles about the location and geography of Mount Lincoln
In what U.S. state is Mount Lincoln located?
Mount Lincoln is located in the U.S. state of Colorado.
What county is Mount Lincoln in?
Mount Lincoln is located in Park County, Colorado.
What mountain range is Mount Lincoln a part of?
Mount Lincoln is part of the Mosquito Range in the Rocky Mountains.
What creek flows below the west side of Mount Lincoln?
The North Fork South Platte River flows below the west side of Mount Lincoln.
True or false: Mount Lincoln is one of Colorado’s “fourteeners.”
True. Mount Lincoln, at 14,293 feet, is one of Colorado’s fifty-three “fourteeners,” or peaks over 14,000 feet elevation.
Riddles about climbing Mount Lincoln
From what town do most climbers access Mount Lincoln?
Most climbers access Mount Lincoln from the nearby town of Alma.
What is the standard route up Mount Lincoln?
The standard route up Mount Lincoln ascends from Kite Lake up the southwest ridge to the summit.
On a scale of 1-5, how technical of a climb is Mount Lincoln?
Mount Lincoln is a Class 3-4 climb, making it moderately challenging and requiring scrambling over extremely steep, exposed terrain with increased risk of injury or death from falling.
What is one danger to be aware of when climbing Mount Lincoln?
Lightning is a major danger, especially in the afternoon, due to the prominent, exposed summit. High winds are also hazardous.
True or false: Mount Lincoln sees frequent avalanches.
False. Due to its steep terrain, Mount Lincoln does not accumulate significant snow and so has very few avalanche hazards.
Riddles about Mount Lincoln’s geography and natural features
What ecosystems can be found on Mount Lincoln?
Mount Lincoln has alpine tundra at higher elevations while mid elevations tend to be forests and woodlands dominated by bristlecone pine, limber pine, and Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir.
What is an arête and does Mount Lincoln have one?
An arête is a thin, almost knife-like ridge of rock which separates two valleys. Mount Lincoln does have a notable arête extending west from its summit.
Does Mount Lincoln or its neighbor Mount Bross have a higher summit elevation?
At 14,293 feet, Mount Lincoln has a higher summit elevation than its neighbor Mount Bross at 14,178 feet.
How many small glacial tarns can be found near Mount Lincoln?
There are three scenic tarns, or small alpine lakes left behind by glaciers, on the northwest side of Mount Lincoln below its summit.
True or false: herds of bighorn sheep inhabit Mount Lincoln.
True. Bighorn sheep herds can sometimes be spotted on the rocky slopes of Mount Lincoln.
Riddles about Mount Lincoln’s history
Who made the first recorded ascent of Mount Lincoln?
The Hayden Survey made the first recorded ascent of Mount Lincoln in 1874.
What Native American tribes lived near Mount Lincoln?
Ute tribes inhabited areas around Mount Lincoln before being relocated to reservations in the late 1800s.
How did Mount Lincoln get its name?
Mount Lincoln was named after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, by members of the Hayden Survey in 1874.
True or false: Mount Lincoln was once home to prospectors and miners.
True. Small mining camps existed around Mount Lincoln during Colorado’s gold and silver rush in the late 1800s.
In what year was most of the land surrounding Mount Lincoln designated as wilderness?
The Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness, which surrounds Mount Lincoln, was designated in 1978 and 1980.
Riddles about climbing Mount Lincoln in winter
Is it possible to climb Mount Lincoln in winter?
Yes, it is possible to summit Mount Lincoln in winter months, but conditions are extremely treacherous and should only be attempted by mountaineering experts.
What are some extra precautions needed when climbing Mount Lincoln in winter?
Crampons, ice axe, avalanche safety gear, warm layers, and knowledge of winter mountaineering are essential. Self-arrest skills are critical.
Does the standard summer route up Mount Lincoln change in winter?
Yes, the standard summer route is often not climbable in winter due to avalanche danger. Safer, less steep routes are sometimes chosen instead.
Why does avalanche danger increase in winter on Mount Lincoln?
In winter, snow accumulations on the steep slopes increase avalanche hazard, especially on upper west facing aspects.
True or false: It’s impossible to climb Mount Lincoln in winter if you’re a novice mountaineer.
True. The extreme winter conditions on Mount Lincoln demand advanced mountaineering skills and make it unsuitable for novice climbers.
Riddles about views from Mount Lincoln’s summit
How many fourteeners can be seen from Mount Lincoln’s summit on a clear day?
Over 20 other fourteeners come into view from Mount Lincoln’s summit on a clear day.
Which famous Colorado fourteeners can be spotted from Mount Lincoln?
Notable fourteeners visible include Grays Peak, Torreys Peak, Mount Bierstadt, Mount Evans and Longs Peak to the north.
Can you see the town of Alma from Mount Lincoln’s summit?
Yes, on clear days you can get an amazing birds-eye view overlooking the town of Alma from Mount Lincoln’s summit.
What other states can you see on the horizon from the top of Mount Lincoln?
On exceptionally clear days, glimpses of mountains in Wyoming and New Mexico can just barely be made out from Mount Lincoln’s lofty summit.
True or false: Mount Lincoln has 360-degree summit views due to its prominence.
True. At over 7,000 feet of prominence, Mount Lincoln’s summit has commanding, sweeping 360-degree views.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these 39 riddles about Mount Lincoln, Colorado! This iconic fourteener has amazing scenery and mountaineering opportunities in all seasons, but also demands respect and caution due to extreme heights and risks. Let me know if you have any other riddles about this amazing peak!
