Mount Olympus is a prominent mountain located in Olympic National Park in western Washington state. Here are 50 riddles related to this iconic peak along with the answers:
Geography Riddles
Riddle 1
What is the elevation of Mount Olympus?
Answer: 7,980 feet
Riddle 2
What mountain range is Mount Olympus part of?
Answer: Olympic Mountains
Riddle 3
Mount Olympus overlooks which large body of water?
Answer: Puget Sound
Riddle 4
What major river has its headwaters on Mount Olympus?
Answer: Hoh River
Riddle 5
What is the name of the glacier on the northern slopes of Mount Olympus?
Answer: Blue Glacier
Geology Riddles
Riddle 6
What type of rock primarily makes up Mount Olympus?
Answer: Basalt
Riddle 7
Mount Olympus was formed by what geologic process?
Answer: Plate tectonics/uplifting
Riddle 8
What is the main cause of erosion on Mount Olympus?
Answer: Glaciers/glaciation
Riddle 9
What geologic plates collide near Mount Olympus?
Answer: Pacific Plate and North American Plate
Riddle 10
When did the last period of glaciation end at Mount Olympus?
Answer: About 15,000 years ago
Climate Riddles
Riddle 11
What biome is found on Mount Olympus?
Answer: Alpine
Riddle 12
What causes the high precipitation around Mount Olympus?
Answer: Moist air masses from the Pacific Ocean forced upward by the Olympic Mountains
Riddle 13
What is the average annual snowfall on Mount Olympus?
Answer: Over 400 inches
Riddle 14
What causes the frequent cloud cover around Mount Olympus?
Answer: Warm moist air cooled as it hits the mountains
Riddle 15
Why does Mount Olympus have milder winters than inland locations at the same latitude?
Answer: Influence of the Pacific Ocean
Flora and Fauna Riddles
Riddle 16
What type of forest surrounds the lower elevations of Mount Olympus?
Answer: Temperate rainforest
Riddle 17
What is a common tree found around Mount Olympus?
Answer: Douglas fir
Riddle 18
What is the typical vegetation above the tree line on Mount Olympus?
Answer: Alpine meadows and heath
Riddle 19
Which species of salmon can be found in rivers flowing from Mount Olympus?
Answer: Chinook, coho, chum, pink, and sockeye salmon
Riddle 20
What is the largest mammal found around Mount Olympus?
Answer: Roosevelt elk
Human History Riddles
Riddle 21
What Native American tribe considers Mount Olympus sacred?
Answer: Quinault Tribe
Riddle 22
Who was the first person to climb Mount Olympus?
Answer: L.A. Nelson in 1907
Riddle 23
When was Olympic National Park established?
Answer: 1938
Riddle 24
Mount Olympus was named after the home of Greek gods. Who named it?
Answer: John Meares in 1788
Riddle 25
What Native American legend tells of gods living on Mount Olympus?
Answer: Thunderbird and Whale legend
Recreation Riddles
Riddle 26
What popular hiking trail leads to Blue Glacier on Mount Olympus?
Answer: Skyline Trail
Riddle 27
What type of climbing is the standard route up Mount Olympus?
Answer: Alpine/glacier climbing
Riddle 28
When is the best time to climb Mount Olympus?
Answer: July to September
Riddle 29
What important piece of climbing gear is essential for Mount Olympus?
Answer: Crampons
Riddle 30
What is a common hazard climbers face on Mount Olympus?
Answer: Rockfall/icefall
Unique Features Riddles
Riddle 31
What is unique about the shape of Mount Olympus?
Answer: It has a prominent triangular shape
Riddle 32
What causes the snowfields that persist year-round on Mount Olympus?
Answer: High elevation, heavy precipitation, and mountain glaciers
Riddle 33
Mount Olympus has one of the largest glaciers in the continental United States. What is it named?
Answer: Blue Glacier
Riddle 34
What unique weather phenomenon is common around Mount Olympus?
Answer: Orographic lifting/rain shadow effect
Riddle 35
What causes the colorful sunrises and sunsets often seen from Mount Olympus?
Answer: Refraction of light through atmosphere
Fun Facts Riddles
Riddle 36
Mount Olympus has never had a recorded lightning strike. Why is this?
Answer: It is not prominent enough to initiate strikes and lava rock does not conduct electricity well
Riddle 37
What was found carved into rocks near Mount Olympus, suggesting ancient human activity?
Answer: Petroglyphs
Riddle 38
What phenomenon caused a 16th century explorer to believe that Mount Olympus was an active volcano?
Answer: Lenticular cloud formation resembling smoke
Riddle 39
Mount Olympus has a unique weather phenomenon named after it. What is it called?
Answer: Blue hole
Riddle 40
Mount Olympus has the greatest vertical relief of any mountain in the contiguous United States. How much relief?
Answer: About 7,000 feet
Silly Riddles
Riddle 41
Why couldn’t Mount Olympus find its hiking boots?
Answer: It lost its footing!
Riddle 42
Why do people get tired hiking up Mount Olympus?
Answer: It’s far too elevated for most!
Riddle 43
Why did Mount Olympus get mad at its climbing partner?
Answer: They got into an uphill battle!
Riddle 44
How did Mount Olympus feel when it rained?
Answer: It was overwhelmed!
Riddle 45
Why couldn’t Mount Olympus find its glasses?
Answer: It lost its outlook!
Olympus Trivia Riddles
Riddle 46
What date was Mount Olympus designated a National Monument?
Answer: May 2, 1909
Riddle 47
Who wrote the classic hiking guide to Mount Olympus and the Olympic Mountains in 1916?
Answer: James Martin
Riddle 48
What Seattle photographer helped promote protection for Olympic National Park?
Answer: Asahel Curtis
Riddle 49
Who was the Native American leader that met President Franklin Roosevelt to advocate for Olympic National Park?
Answer: Chief Henry Jackson
Riddle 50
What Washington town serves as a gateway to Mount Olympus and Olympic National Park?
Answer: Port Angeles
Conclusion
Mount Olympus is an amazing natural landscape with a rich history and ecology. These riddles provide a fun way to learn more about this iconic Washington landmark. Exploring the unique geology, weather, plants, animals, native tribes, and recreational opportunities of Mount Olympus reveals fascinating facts about this treasured peak.
