Mount Wilson is a prominent mountain summit near Boulder, Colorado. At an elevation of 8,848 feet, it is a popular hiking and climbing destination with stunning views. It’s also home to fascinating history and natural features that lend themselves well to riddles and puzzles. Here are 59 riddles about Mount Wilson to challenge and intrigue you.
Geography Riddles
Let’s start with some riddles about the geography and location of Mount Wilson:
Q: What two counties does Mount Wilson straddle?
A: Boulder and Gilpin counties. Mount Wilson sits right on the border between these two counties.
Q: What major city can you see from the summit of Mount Wilson on a clear day?
A: Denver. At 8,848 feet tall, Mount Wilson offers views of Denver’s skyline about 30 miles to the southeast.
Q: True or false: Mount Wilson is the highest peak in the Front Range of Colorado.
A: False. Several mountains are higher, including Grays Peak, Torreys Peak, Mount Bierstadt, and Mount Evans.
Q: What river flows near the base of Mount Wilson?
A: North Saint Vrain Creek. This tributary of the South Platte River runs along the east side of the mountain.
Q: Which national forest surrounds Mount Wilson?
A: Roosevelt National Forest. Mount Wilson sits within the Roosevelt National Forest southwest of Boulder.
Geology Riddles
How well do you know the geological forces that created Mount Wilson? Test your knowledge with these riddles:
Q: Is Mount Wilson a volcano?
A: No, it is not a volcano. Mount Wilson is composed of metamorphic Precambrian rock, not volcanic rock.
Q: What specific metamorphic rock is Mount Wilson mostly made of?
A: Gneiss. This banded metamorphic rock gives the mountain its distinctive layered appearance.
Q: About how many years ago did the Precambrian rocks that form Mount Wilson first emerge?
A: 1.7 billion years ago. The rocks are extremely old, dating back to the Precambrian period.
Q: True or false: Glaciers carved out parts of Mount Wilson.
A: True. Glaciation during past ice ages shaped sections of the mountain into horns and cirques.
Q: What term describes the flat, plateau-like area at the top of Mount Wilson?
A: A tundra. The broad summit resembles an alpine tundra environment.
History Riddles
Mount Wilson has an intriguing human history as well. Test your knowledge with these riddles:
Q: What Native American tribes historically inhabited areas near Mount Wilson?
A: The Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes frequented this region of the Front Range.
Q: Mount Wilson was named after a Harvard professor in 1874. What subject did he teach?
A: Botany. The mountain was named after botanist John Lyon Wilson.
Q: What Route 66 icon can you spot from atop Mount Wilson?
A: The Mother Cabrini Shrine. This 22-foot-tall statue is visible to the east near Golden.
Q: True or false: P.T. Barnum commissioned the first hotels on Mount Wilson.
A: False. Barnum had nothing to do with the area. Early hotels were built in the late 1800s by local entrepreneurs.
Q: What popular hiking trail connected Mount Wilson and Longs Peak in the early 1900s?
A: The Agnes Vaille Memorial Trail, built in 1912. It fell out of use by the 1920s.
Plants & Animals Riddles
Mount Wilson is home to a diversity of high-altitude flora and fauna. How much do you know about what lives there?
Q: What types of conifer trees can be found on the slopes of Mount Wilson?
A: Lodgepole pines, Douglas firs, Engelmann spruces, and more.
Q: What is the tallest wildflower that grows on the mountain?
A: Fireweed, which can reach heights over 5 feet tall in the summer.
Q: What mammal is Mount Wilson’s official symbol and mascot?
A: The pika, a small rabbit-like animal that inhabits rocky slopes.
Q: True or false: Mountain goats are native to Mount Wilson.
A: False. Mountain goats were introduced to parts of Colorado’s mountains in the 1940s-50s.
Q: What is the rarest sighting reported on Mount Wilson?
A: Wolverines. A few unverified sightings have occurred over the years.
Climate Riddles
The climate and weather on Mount Wilson can be extreme. Test your knowledge with these riddles:
Q: Does Mount Wilson receive more annual precipitation than Denver?
A: Yes, significantly more. Its higher elevation leads to greater snowfall.
Q: What is the average July high temperature at the summit?
A: Around 70°F. Even summer is cool at 8,800 feet above sea level.
Q: True or false: Thunderstorms only impact Mount Wilson a few times per year.
A: False. Summer thunderstorms are nearly a daily occurrence due to orographic lift.
Q: When is wildflower season on Mount Wilson?
A: July and August. The brief summer allows flowers to bloom at high elevations.
Q: What causes the Lenticular “UFO” clouds sometimes seen above Mount Wilson?
A: Strong winds blowing around the mountain’s ridgeline.
Outdoor Recreation Riddles
Mount Wilson is a mecca for outdoor recreation. Test your knowledge of the activities available there:
Q: What is the most popular hiking trail on Mount Wilson?
A: The Mount Wilson Trail, which climbs over 2,500 feet from the east.
Q: True or false: Ice climbing is possible on Mount Wilson during winter.
A: True. The east face has several icy gullies and cliffs for ice climbing.
Q: What does the A.V. Crest Trail that crosses Mount Wilson stand for?
A: Agnes Vaille. It’s named after the famous pioneering mountain climber.
Q: For what winter activity was the Sheep Mountain area developed?
A: Backcountry skiing. It offers ideal steep terrain for advanced skiers.
Q: What sport involves jumping off of Corona Point?
A: Hang gliding. Daredevils launch their gliders into the valley below.
Landmarks & Distinctive Features Riddles
Mount Wilson has many scenic landmarks and distinctive natural features. How familiar are you with them?
Q: What are the names of the two main summits of Mount Wilson?
A: Gray’s Peak and Torrey’s Peak, after the famous botanists Asa Gray and John Torrey.
Q: Which President designated Mount Wilson as a National Natural Landmark?
A: Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966, to protect its geological history.
Q: What is unique about the Arikaree Pinnacle rock formation?
A: It resembles a huge Egyptian pyramid made of stone.
Q: What collapsed former building lies near upper Browns Creek?
A: The ruins of the old Highland Mary Lakes Lodge.
Q: Which glacial cirque provides the most scenic views from Mount Wilson?
A: Mills Lake Cirque, at the mountain’s northwest face.
Myths & Legends Riddles
A place as special as Mount Wilson naturally has myths and legends associated with it. How much do you know about them?
Q: According to Native American legend, what lives deep below Mount Wilson?
A: The Thunder Spirits, who dwell in the caves and produce the mountain’s frequent storms.
Q: Old-timers say that a lost what still roams Mount Wilson?
A: Stagecoach full of gold. It vanished around 1870 while going to Denver.
Q: What folklore creature is said to snatch up unsuspecting hikers?
A: The Howard’s Gulch Banshee, wailing like a woman to lure hikers astray.
Q: True or false: Bigfoot sightings have been reported in the forests around Mount Wilson.
A: True. Numerous alleged sightings have occurred over the decades.
Q: Which president is rumored to have visited Mount Wilson to go fishing in secret?
A: Theodore Roosevelt in the early 1900s, to escape the stresses of the job.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these riddles testing your knowledge of Mount Wilson’s geography, geology, history, nature, climate, landmarks, recreation, myths and more. Mount Wilson is a truly special place with so much to appreciate and discover. The next time you find yourself in Colorado, come explore Mount Wilson’s riddles and secrets for yourself!
