Mount Shasta is a majestic volcano located in Northern California that stands at an elevation of 14,179 feet. It is the second highest peak in the Cascade Mountain Range and is a prominent landmark in the region. Mount Shasta is surrounded by beautiful alpine lakes, forests, and meadows and is revered by many as a sacred mountain. The area around Mount Shasta is shrouded in mystery and intrigue, making it the perfect setting for riddles and brainteasers. Below are 49 riddles related to Mount Shasta along with the answers.
Geography Riddles
Riddle 1
I’m a tall mountain found in Northern California’s Cascade Range. Many small towns lie at my base, like Dunsmuir and Mount Shasta City. Who am I?
Answer: Mount Shasta
Riddle 2
I’m a 14,179 foot stratovolcano in Siskiyou County. With my prominent conical shape, I can be seen from over 100 miles away. What mountain am I?
Answer: Mount Shasta
Riddle 3
Mount Shasta has four small glaciers near its summit. What are their names?
Answer: Whitney, Bolam, Hotlum, and Wintun
Geology Riddles
Riddle 4
I began forming around 200,000 years ago and last erupted in 1786. I’m mostly made of andesite and dacite lava flows. What Northern California mountain am I?
Answer: Mount Shasta
Riddle 5
Mount Shasta has two main volcanic cones that erupted at different times. One is called Misery Hill and the other has what name?
Answer: Shastina
Riddle 6
The most voluminous eruptions on Mount Shasta occurred about 300,000 and 11,000 years ago. What are the names of the deposits they produced?
Answer: The Bidwell Spring Basalt and the Shastina debris cone/avalanche deposits
Flora and Fauna Riddles
Riddle 7
I’m a common small mammal found around Mount Shasta’s forests and meadows. With my bushy tail and tendency to hoard nuts, I’m a member of the rodent family. What am I?
Answer: Squirrel
Riddle 8
There are seven species of this tree found on Mount Shasta. We have aromatic needles and cones and are an important timber species. What type of tree are we?
Answer: Pine trees
Riddle 9
I’m California’s state flower and I bloom in Mount Shasta’s high alpine meadows from June to August. My five petals are bright yellow with orange spots. What flower am I?
Answer: Mariposa lily
History Riddles
Riddle 10
I’m a Native American tribe that has long revered Mount Shasta as sacred. Our oral traditions state we originated near Mount Shasta thousands of years ago. Who are we?
Answer: The Wintu tribe
Riddle 11
This pioneer established the first Euro-American settlement in the Mount Shasta area in the 1820s. He built a trading post near the base of the mountain.
Answer: Peter Skene Ogden
Riddle 12
Mount Shasta City was founded and named in 1886 when the railroad was being built through Siskiyou County. What was the city’s original name?
Answer: Strawberry Valley
Recreation Riddles
Riddle 13
I’m an alpine lake located right below Mount Shasta’s summit at 10,000 feet elevation. John Muir once called me the “gem of the mountain.” What’s my name?
Answer: Lake Helen
Riddle 14
Mount Shasta Ski Park offers beginner and advanced skiing on four major runs. What are their names?
Answer: Cloud Nine, Milk Run, Casaval & Andy’s Avalanche
Riddle 15
The most popular route for climbing Mount Shasta begins at Bunny Flat Trailhead. What peak does this route pass between before reaching Mount Shasta’s summit?
Answer: Misery Hill
Myths and Legends Riddles
Riddle 16
I’m a mythical lost city or settlement said to exist somewhere around or under Mount Shasta. Spiritual seekers have searched for me for over a century. What’s my name?
Answer: Lemuria or Telos
Riddle 17
Local Native American legends tell of little people who live on Mount Shasta and play pranks on humans. What are they called?
Answer: The Shasta Leprechauns
Riddle 18
Folklore says I’m an ancient, enlightened master who resides in a mystic brotherhood deep inside Mount Shasta. Who am I?
Answer: Saint Germain
Nature Riddles
Riddle 19
I’m a coniferous tree that grows abundantly on Mount Shasta up to elevations of 7,500 feet. My bark smells like vanilla when cut. What kind of tree am I?
Answer: Ponderosa pine
Riddle 20
We are a type of rodent that lives in the lava tubes and caverns of Mount Shasta. With our large ears and excellent hearing, we come out at night to feed. What are we?
Answer: Bats
Riddle 21
I’m a common predator that roams Mount Shasta’s forests in search of deer, rabbits and other small mammals to feed on. I’m reclusive and mostly hunt at night. What animal am I?
Answer: Mountain lion
Geography Riddles
Riddle 22
Mount Shasta has many springs that are the source of major rivers in Northern California. Which of these rivers does NOT have its headwaters at Mount Shasta?
A. Sacramento River
B. McCloud River
C. Klamath River
D. Rogue River
Answer: D. Rogue River
Riddle 23
I’m a 9,494 foot peak that lies south of Mount Shasta. Climbers pass me along the Avalanche Gulch route on their way to Mount Shasta’s summit. What mountain am I?
Answer: Black Butte
Riddle 24
Mount Shasta lies about 45 miles from the California-Oregon border. What major interstate highway runs near the base of the mountain?
Answer: Interstate 5
Flora and Fauna Riddles
Riddle 25
I’m a common gray, bushy-tailed rodent found in the high elevations of Mount Shasta. In winter, I hide nuts and seeds in caches to feed on later. What am I?
Answer: Alpine chipmunk
Riddle 26
What is the lowest elevation pine tree species found on Mount Shasta?
Answer: Lodgepole pine
Riddle 27
The four major biotic zones found on Mount Shasta are montane, subalpine, alpine, and nival. Which zone lies between 6,500 and 9,000 feet elevation?
Answer: Subalpine zone
Geology Riddles
Riddle 28
I’m a volcano in Northern California that erupted as recently as 1786. I’m not Lassen Peak but still draw many geology enthusiasts. What mountain am I?
Answer: Mount Shasta
Riddle 29
Mount Shasta has two main nested volcanic cones. Misery Hill last erupted about 100,000 years ago, but when did the Shastina cone last erupt?
Answer: About 10,000 years ago
Riddle 30
What type of magma composes most of the lava flows on Mount Shasta?
Answer: Andesite or dacite
Myths and Legends Riddles
Riddle 31
Local legends say I’m a lost underground city inhabited by a spiritually advanced race of people. For over a century, spiritualists have searched for me inside Mount Shasta. What mythic city am I?
Answer: Lemuria or Telos
Riddle 32
According to myth, I’m an immortal, enlightened master said to live in a secret mystical brotherhood deep inside Mount Shasta. Many believe I will eventually reveal spiritual teachings and usher in a new golden age. Who am I?
Answer: Saint Germain
Riddle 33
Native American myths tell of little people, similar to leprechauns, who live on Mount Shasta and play tricks on humans. What are they called?
Answer: The Shasta Leprechauns
Recreation Riddles
Riddle 34
I’m a recreational lake located on Mount Shasta at an elevation of 6,950 feet. Fishing and picnicking are popular activities at my shoreline. What am I?
Answer: Lake Siskiyou
Riddle 35
The Mount Shasta Ski Park offers both advanced and beginner ski runs. About how many total acres is the ski area?
Answer: 425 acres
Riddle 36
A popular trail leads hikers up Misery Hill to a beautiful alpine lake with views of Mount Shasta. What is the name of this high mountain lake?
Answer: Horse Camp Lake
History Riddles
Riddle 37
I’m a Native American tribe that has lived near and revered Mount Shasta for thousands of years. Our oral traditions say we originated from the mountain itself. What tribe are we?
Answer: The Wintu tribe
Riddle 38
This early 19th century fur trapper established the first non-native settlement in the Mount Shasta area. He built a small trading post at the base of the mountain.
Answer: Peter Skene Ogden
Riddle 39
Mount Shasta City started as a town called Strawberry Valley when the railroad came through the area in 1886. In what year was it incorporated and renamed Mount Shasta City?
Answer: 1902
Nature Riddles
Riddle 40
I’m a common owl found in the forests of Mount Shasta. With my large eyes and head, I hunt rodents at night by sight and sound. What kind of owl am I?
Answer: Great horned owl
Riddle 41
The four major biotic life zones on Mount Shasta are montane, subalpine, alpine, and nival. What zone is found at the highest elevations above 10,000 feet?
Answer: Alpine zone
Riddle 42
I’m a busy stinging insect seen feeding on flowers in Mount Shasta’s high meadows in summer. Known for making honey, what am I?
Answer: Honeybee
Recreation Riddles
Riddle 43
I’m a challenging 15.7 mile trail that ascends Mount Shasta from Horse Camp trailhead to the summit. What’s my name?
Answer: Green Butte Ridge Trail
Riddle 44
The Mount Shasta Ski Park has beginner, intermediate, and advanced ski runs. What is their longest and steepest run called?
Answer: Andy’s Avalanche
Riddle 45
This scenic highway climbs to almost 7,000 feet on Mount Shasta’s southwest flank. It offers access to hiking trails and awesome views. What is its route number?
Answer: Highway 89
Geography Riddles
Riddle 46
I’m a glacial lake located near Mount Shasta’s summit at an elevation of 10,061 feet. John Muir described me as the “pearl” of the mountain. What’s my name?
Answer: Lake Helen
Riddle 47
Mount Shasta has four named glaciers. The largest is called Whitney Glacier. Which glacier is the smallest in size?
Answer: Wintun Glacier
Riddle 48
This major river begins on Mount Shasta and flows into Oregon, eventually draining into the Pacific Ocean near Reedsport. What is its name?
Answer: The Umpqua River
Riddle 49
Mount Shasta is one of the main peaks of this volcanic mountain range that runs from Northern California into British Columbia.
Answer: The Cascade Range
Conclusion
Mount Shasta is truly a magical mountain, shrouded in legend and mystery. Its rugged alpine environment provides a scenic backdrop for countless outdoor adventures and activities. With an elevation over 14,000 feet, Mount Shasta dominates the landscape and beckons visitors to unravel its secrets. These riddles provide a fun way to learn more about this iconic Northern California volcano. Exploring Mount Shasta through puzzles engages the mind and satisfies one’s sense of curiosity about this sacred and captivating peak.
