Mount Yale is a 14,197 foot tall peak located in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness of Colorado’s Sawatch Range. Rising high above the surrounding mountains, Mount Yale provides outstanding views and a challenging climb to adventurous hikers. Let’s explore this iconic Colorado mountain through 57 fun riddles!
Geography Riddles
Q: What US state is Mount Yale located in?
A: Colorado
Q: What mountain range in Colorado contains Mount Yale?
A: The Sawatch Range
Q: True or false: Mount Yale is one of Colorado’s 14ers (peaks over 14,000 feet tall).
A: True
Q: Mount Yale is surrounded by wilderness in what National Forest?
A: White River National Forest
Q: What other 14,000 foot peak is very close to Mount Yale?
A: Mount Columbia
Geology Riddles
Q: What type of rock is Mount Yale primarily composed of?
A: Granite
Q: True or false: Glaciers helped shape the landscape around Mount Yale.
A: True
Q: Mount Yale has loose rock near its summit. What term do climbers use to describe this type of rock?
A: Scree
Q: What geologic process broke up the granite rock on Mount Yale into small pieces creating the scree fields?
A: Ice wedging and freeze-thaw cycles
Climbing Riddles
Q: During what months of the year is climbing Mount Yale typically safest and easiest?
A: June through September
Q: What is the standard route for climbing Mount Yale called?
A: North Slopes
Q: True or false: Climbing Mount Yale requires technical rock or ice climbing gear.
A: False – it is a non-technical hike and scramble to the summit
Q: The descent from Mount Yale’s summit can be slippery. What type of footwear do climbers recommend?
A: Boots with aggressive tread
Wildlife Riddles
Q: What big horned animal might climbers spot around Mount Yale?
A: Bighorn Sheep
Q: Name one bird of prey spotted soaring over Mount Yale.
A: Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Red-Tailed Hawk
Q: Small furry critters called pikas live among Mount Yale’s boulders. What do they eat?
A: Grasses and wildflowers
Q: Climbers may spot this striped wildcat prowling Mount Yale. What is it called?
A: Bobcat
Weather Riddles
Q: What type of storm drops heavy, wet snow and is common in the Colorado mountains?
A: Spring blizzard
Q: Thunderstorms frequently build over Colorado’s peaks during what time of day?
A: Early Afternoon
Q: True or False: It can be 80°F at the base of Mount Yale but below freezing on its windswept summit.
A: True
Q: What weather hazard do mountain climbers need to watch out for on Mount Yale’s summit?
A: Lightning strikes
Record-Setting Riddles
Q: How tall is Mount Yale’s summit in feet?
A: 14,197 feet
Q: Mount Yale has a topographic prominence of over 1,500 feet. What does this mean?
A: Its summit rises 1,500+ feet above the lowest contour line encircling it but no higher peak
Q: True or False: Mount Yale is the tallest 14er in the Sawatch Range.
A: False (Mount Elbert is taller at 14,433 feet)
Q: What year did the first recorded ascent of Mount Yale take place?
A: 1868
Naming Riddles
Q: Who was Mount Yale named after in 1869?
A: Elihu Yale – benefactor of Yale University
Q: Mount Yale’s original name honored a famous Harvard University scientist. Who was he?
A: Louis Agassiz
Q: Naming mountains after Ivy League colleges was trendy in the 1800s. What nearby peak is named after Princeton University?
A: Mount Princeton
Q: True or False: Mount Yale’s name was changed from Mount Agassiz to support Yale College over its rival Harvard.
A: True
Scenic Vistas Riddles
Q: What large nearby peak is prominently visible from Mount Yale’s summit?
A: Mount Princeton
Q: Looking east from the top of Mount Yale, what major Colorado ski resort areas can be spotted on the horizon?
A: Vail and Copper Mountain
Q: Hikers on Mount Yale’s summit may be able to see this river flowing through the valley below.
A: The Arkansas River
Q: Climbers on the top of Mount Yale are rewarded with majestic views of multiple Colorado 14ers. About how many 14ers can be seen?
A: At least 15 different 14ers
Flora & Fauna Riddles
Q: Blooming wildflowers like these purple lupine brighten Mount Yale’s slopes during what season?
A: Summer
Q: What types of trees can be found at the base of Mount Yale but not on its barren alpine summit?
A: Aspens, pines, firs, spruces
Q: Mount Yale’s rocky tundra habitat is home to unique species like yellow-bellied marmots and white-tailed ptarmigan. What season do they hibernate through?
A: Winter
Q: Craggy outcroppings on Mount Yale are good habitat for birds of prey like peregrine falcons. What do they hunt?
A: Small birds and rodents
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these 57 riddles exploring different facets of Colorado’s magnificent Mount Yale! Located deep in the state’s rugged backcountry, this iconic peak rewards climbers with gorgeous vistas, a challenging hike, and chances to spot unique alpine plants and wildlife. The remote and wild Sawatch Range surrounding Mount Yale encapsulates the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. If you crave stunning landscapes, high-altitude adventure, and backcountry solitude, then marvelous Mount Yale belongs on your bucket list!
