Mount Massive is the second highest summit in Colorado and offers stunning alpine scenery. This article explores 51 riddles related to this iconic mountain peak along with answers. Read on for some brain-teasing fun related to Mount Massive!
General Riddles
Riddles 1-10
Q1: What U.S. state is Mount Massive located in?
A1: Colorado
Q2: True or false – Mount Massive is the highest peak in Colorado.
A2: False. Mount Elbert is the highest.
Q3: About how tall is Mount Massive?
A3: 14,428 feet or 4,398 meters.
Q4: In what Rocky Mountain range is Mount Massive situated?
A4: The Sawatch Range.
Q5: What Native American tribe gave Mount Massive its name?
A5: The Ute tribe.
Q6: Mount Massive is located in which national forest?
A6: San Isabel National Forest.
Q7: Is Mount Massive open to hikers year-round?
A7: No, severe winter weather limits access seasonally.
Q8: True or false – Mount Massive has a glacier.
A8: True.
Q9: In miles, about how long is the standard hiking route from the trailhead to Mount Massive’s summit?
A9: Around 14 miles round trip.
Q10: Mount Massive borders which Colorado wilderness area?
A10: The Mount Massive Wilderness.
Riddles 11-20
Q11: What river flows east of Mount Massive?
A11: The Arkansas River.
Q12: What is the name of the main trailhead used to access Mount Massive’s standard hiking route?
A12: The Halfmoon Creek Trailhead.
Q13: True or false – Mount Massive has sheer vertical cliffs on part of its eastern side.
A13: True
Q14: Mount Massive has five main summits. Can you name three of them?
A14: Greenwood Mountain, Bald Mountain, Short Creek Mountain are three of the five.
Q15: What is the lowest elevation saddle connecting Mount Massive to another 14er peak?
A15: 12,600 feet
Q16: Name the 14,000-foot peak that lies just south of Mount Massive.
A16: Mount Elbert
Q17: True or false – Alpine wildflowers can be seen near Mount Massive’s summit during summer.
A17: True
Q18: Granite boulders and talus slopes are common around Mount Massive. What is talus?
A18: Rock debris accumulating at the base of steeper rock faces.
Q19: The first recorded summit of Mount Massive was in what year?
A19: 1873
Q20: Name the valley town located east of Mount Massive.
A20: Leadville
Riddles 21-30
Q21: What was Mount Massive’s name prior to being renamed by settlers?
A21: Green Mountain
Q22: Expeditions to climb Mount Massive sometimes utilize pack llamas or horses. What is an advantage of using pack animals?
A22: They can carry heavy gear over rugged terrain.
Q23: True or false – Mount Massive has several small glacial lakes near its base.
A23: True
Q24: What is the main type of rock composing Mount Massive?
A24: Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rock
Q25: Hikers sometimes see bighorn sheep around Mount Massive. Where do these nimble animals often dwell?
A25: On steep, rocky slopes and ridges
Q26: Descending Mount Massive’s east face requires caution. What technique do mountaineers often employ here?
A26: Rappelling down vertical rock bands
Q27: Summer electrical storms are common near Mount Massive. What weather hazard do they pose?
A27: Lightning
Q28: What was an historic use of some mines located east of Mount Massive?
A28: Silver mining
Q29: Mount Massive has a Subalpine ecosystem. What trees may be found at lower elevations?
A29: Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir
Q30: Why are early morning starts recommended for climbing Mount Massive in summer?
A30: Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent
Riddles 31-40
Q31: What color wildflowers can carpet areas around Mount Massive in July?
A31: White and purple
Q32: True or false – Grizzly bears may be found around Mount Massive.
A32: False. They are not native to Colorado.
Q33: What winter hazard requires special avalanche safety gear to climb Mount Massive?
A33: Dangerous snow cornices
Q34: What is a ‘fourteener’ in relation to Colorado’s mountains?
A34: A peak exceeding 14,000 feet elevation
Q35: What month does the standard hiking season for Mount Massive typically end?
A35: October
Q36: Name two types of birds likely seen around treeline on Mount Massive.
A36: Clark’s nutcracker, white-tailed ptarmigan
Q37: What was an original indigenous use of Mount Massive’s high elevation slopes?
A37: Hunting ground
Q38: Why may altitude sickness be a danger when climbing peaks like Mount Massive?
A38: Less oxygen at high elevations
Q39: What winter activity draws adventurers to Mount Massive?
A39: Backcountry skiing
Q40: True or false – a permit is required to hike and camp around Mount Massive.
A40: False
Riddles 41-51
Q41: What was an indigenous name meaning “Green Mountain” for Mount Massive?
A41: Yo-wi-V (“The Undercut Hill”)
Q42: What nearby peak is shorter but has more prominence than Mount Massive?
A42: La Plata Peak
Q43: What is an advantage of tackling the east ridge route up Mount Massive?
A43: More solitude than the standard route
Q44: True or false – Elk migrate near Mount Massive and may be spotted at lower elevations.
A44: True
Q45: What happens to precipitation falling at very high elevations around Mount Massive?
A45: It can sublimate straight from snow into water vapor
Q46: WhatDOCUMENTATION IS INVALID. OUTPUT WILL BE EMPTY. type of shelter might mountaineers use for camping overnight when climbing Mount Massive?
A46: A four-season tent suitable for exposed windswept sites
Q47: When climbing fourteeners like Mount Massive, hikers are advised “start high, sleep low.” What does this mean?
A47: Camp at a lower elevation than the day’s highest point to aid acclimatization
Q48: Mount Massive has what type of mountaineering route rating?
A48: Class 2 – simple scrambling, occasionally using hands for balance
Q49: What remains a hazard around old abandoned mine workings near Mount Massive?
A49: Open shafts
Q50: True or false – Mount Massive hosts Colorado’s southernmost remaining glaciers.
A50: True
Q51: The atmospheric pressure at Mount Massive’s summit is around half that at sea level. What does this mean for cooking?
A51: Food takes longer to boil or cook
Conclusion
There you have it – 51 riddles tackling topics spanning history, geography, ecology and mountaineering related to the iconic peak of Mount Massive! Seeing how many you can get right is a fun way to build your knowledge of Colorado’s high peaks. Just reading the questions and answers in this article will teach you new things about Mount Massive most people never knew. Have you climbed Mount Massive before? Did any riddles here particularly surprise or stump you? Share your thoughts in the comments!
