Mount Wilson is a mountain peak located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. At an elevation of 14,246 feet (4,340 m), it’s one of Colorado’s many famous 14ers. Mount Wilson offers stunning alpine scenery, ridges, and valleys begging to be explored. Let’s challenge our brains and knowledge of this peak by solving 53 riddles about Mount Wilson!
Mount Wilson Geography Riddles
In which county is Mount Wilson located?
Mount Wilson is located in San Miguel County, one of the 64 counties in the U.S. state of Colorado.
What mountain range is Mount Wilson a part of?
Mount Wilson is part of the San Miguel Mountains range, which is itself a subrange of the larger San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado.
True or false: Mount Wilson is one of Colorado’s famous 14ers (peaks over 14,000 feet elevation).
True. With an elevation of 14,246 feet (4,340 m), Mount Wilson is considered one of Colorado’s 54 14ers.
What river flows to the east of Mount Wilson?
The San Miguel River flows just to the east of Mount Wilson. The river originates high in the San Juan Mountains near Telluride and flows south to meet the Dolores River.
Mount Wilson Hiking Riddles
From what town do most hikers accessing Mount Wilson start their hike?
Most hikers access Mount Wilson from the small mining town of Telluride, Colorado which sits just to the north of the peak.
Hikers climbing Mount Wilson have to cross another 14er peak first. What’s the name of this other peak?
To access Mount Wilson, hikers must first summit Mount Wilson Peak (not to be confused with Mount Wilson itself). The route crosses over Mount Wilson Peak at 13,352 feet elevation.
True or false: Mount Wilson can be climbed in a day by experienced hikers.
True. Though a strenuous hike, mountaineers in good physical shape can summit Mount Wilson and return in one long summer day.
What is the standard hiking route called for climbing Mount Wilson?
The standard route is known as the Wilson Peak – Mount Wilson Traverse. It follows a Class 3 scrambling path with some exposure and loose rock to navigate.
Mount Wilson Geology Riddles
What type of rock is Mount Wilson primarily composed of?
Mount Wilson is composed mainly of Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rock with formations dating over 1 billion years old.
During which geologic period did the current Rocky Mountains start forming?
The Rocky Mountains began forming during the Laramide orogeny, a period of mountain building that occurred between 80 and 55 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous into Early Tertiary periods.
What tectonic plate collision helped form the San Juan mountain range that Mount Wilson is part of?
The formation of the San Juan mountain range occurred due to a tectonic plate collision between the Farallon oceanic plate and North American continental plate roughly 75-80 million years ago.
Glaciers carved out much of the rugged landscape surrounding Mount Wilson. When did the last glacial period end in the San Juan region?
The last glacial period affecting the San Juan mountain region ended roughly 11,000 years ago at the close of the Pleistocene epoch with the start of the Holocene era of global warming.
Mount Wilson Climate Riddles
What climate zone is the Mount Wilson region considered to be?
Mount Wilson has an alpine or high-mountain climate typical of areas above tree line. Long, cold winters and short, cool summers characterize this climate zone.
How many inches of precipitation does Mount Wilson receive annually?
Mount Wilson receives around 40 inches of precipitation yearly, the majority of it falling as heavy winter snow between October and April.
July and August are the warmest months of the year in Telluride near Mount Wilson. What’s the average daily high temp in July?
In July, Telluride reaches average daily high temperatures around 80°F (27°C) while lows at night dip into the 40s Fahrenheit.
True or false: Even in summer, freezing temperatures can occur routinely on Mount Wilson due to its over 14,000 foot elevation.
True. Due to its high elevation, freezing temperatures and snow can occur year-round on the upper slopes of Mount Wilson even during the summer hiking season.
Mount Wilson Flora & Fauna Riddles
Aside from small alpine grasses and wildflowers in summer, what vegetation grows on Mount Wilson due to its elevation?
Above tree line, no tall trees or large vegetation can grow on Mount Wilson. Only low-lying Alpine tundra grasses, small plants, wildflowers, and mosses can survive.
Mountain goats are one iconic animal found living around Mount Wilson. Name another charismatic alpine mammal found in the area.
In addition to mountain goats, bighorn sheep also inhabit the craggy slopes surrounding Mount Wilson and can sometimes be spotted by passing hikers.
What is Colorado’s state animal and could you see one living around Mount Wilson?
Colorado’s state animal is the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, herds of which roam the San Juan Mountains and may be observed by Mount Wilson hikers.
Pika are small mammal residents around Mount Wilson that resemble tiny rabbits. What do they eat?
Pika are herbivores that feed on grasses, flowers, moss, and other mountain vegetation. They do not hibernate but gather huge stores of “hay piles” to survive Mount Wilson’s long alpine winters.
Mount Wilson History & Culture Riddles
Ute Indian tribes historically inhabited the San Juan mountain range. What does “San Juan” translate to in English?
San Juan translates from the original Spanish to “Saint John”, likely referencing explorer Juan Maria Antonio Rivera naming the area on the Feast Day of Saint John the Baptist in 1765.
Prospectors flocked to the San Juan Mountains in the 1870s in search of what precious metal?
Many prospectors came to hunt for silver, the San Juan region experiencing a major silver boom after huge veins were discovered in Mineral Point near present-day Silverton, Colorado.
A famous ski area lies just 16 miles from Mount Wilson. What is it called?
That would be the renowned Telluride Ski Resort, home to world-famous expert ski runs and gorgeous views of the San Juan peaks.
Mount Wilson’s first recorded ascent was in?
The first known successful climb to the summit of Mount Wilson was made in 1906 by brothers Art and Elliot Fisher along with three other companions.
Mount Wilson Scenery Riddles
What striking summit feature can be seen from atop Mount Wilson looking northwards?
Looking north, Mount Wilson hikers are treated to incredible views of Bridal Veil Falls, a 365-foot waterfall that cascades down a sheer cliff into the valley below.
Mount Wilson offers jaw-dropping vistas of surrounding peaks and landscape. What term describes this incredible view?
The panoramic sweep of mountain scenery visible from Mount Wilson’s summit is described as an “alpine panorama”.
The picturesque north face view from Mount Wilson features craggy ridges and peaks dotted with what geological feature?
Glacial tarns, which are small alpine lakes left behind in cirques carved out by glaciers, dot the breathtaking ridges and mountainsides visible from Mount Wilson’s lofty summit.
In optimal weather conditions, how many total 14er peaks can be viewed from Mount Wilson’s summit?
On extra clear days it’s possible to glimpse a total of 20 different surrounding 14,000+ foot peaks from the top of Mount Wilson!
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these 53 riddles to challenge your Mount Wilson knowledge! Colorado’s high peaks have inspired adventure and wonder for generations. Though remote and rugged, the unique joys found in the thin air near Mount Wilson’s roof-top summit are simply breathtaking.
