Nevada is home to beautiful mountain ranges that make for great destinations for hiking and sightseeing. The mountainous terrain also provides inspiration for riddles and brain teasers. Here are 46 riddles about mountains in Nevada to challenge your mind.
Riddles about Mountains in Northern Nevada
Northern Nevada contains stunning mountain ranges like the Santa Rosa Range, Jackson Mountains, and Pine Nut Mountains. Here are some riddles inspired by these mountains:
Santa Rosa Range Riddles
1. I’m a mountain with rhyming twin peaks, Faulkner and Welker are my namesakes. What am I?
Answer: The Santa Rosa Range, which contains the twin rhyming peaks of Mount Faulkner and Mount Welker.
2. I’m a Santa Rosa mountain known for my large limestone cliffs. Rock climbers love ascending my steep faces. What mountain am I?
Answer: Mount Limbo, which has prominent limestone cliffs in the Santa Rosa Range popular for rock climbing.
3. I’m the highest point in the Santa Rosa mountains, I exceed 9,000 feet in my elevation. Hikers climb my summit to see spectacular views. What mountain am I?
Answer: Mount Ferguson, the highest peak in the Santa Rosa Range at 9,163 feet tall.
Jackson Mountains Riddles
4. Prospectors once flocked to my mountain rhyming with lackson, hoping to strike it rich in silver and gold. Name me.
Answer: The Jackson Mountains, where prospectors came during the silver and gold rushes.
5. I’m the highest mountain in the Jackson Range, towering over the rest at nearly 10,000 feet. Name me.
Answer: Jackson Peak, the highest mountain in the Jackson Mountains at 9,876 feet.
6. I’m a barren mountain peak in the Jacksons, heated air from geothermal areas keeps me snow-free. What am I?
Answer: Excelsior Mountain, which has geothermal activity that prevents snow cover.
Pine Nut Mountains Riddles
7. Prospectors once mined silver in my Pine Nut mountains. A town near my base bears my name. What am I?
Answer: Mount Siegel, which has a peak and town named after it in the Pine Nut Mountains.
8. I’m the tallest mountain in the Pine Nut range, found near the California border. What am I?
Answer: Pine Mountain, the highest peak in the Pine Nut Mountains at 9,417 feet tall.
9. I’m a barren reddish mountain in the Pine Nuts, known for my brilliant shades during sunset. Name me.
Answer: Red Mountain, which glows red during sunsets.
Riddles about Mountains in Southern Nevada
The mountains of southern Nevada include ranges like the Spring Mountains, Sheep Range, and Eldorado Range. See if you can solve these riddles:
Spring Mountains Riddles
10. I’m the tallest mountain in southern Nevada, towering above Las Vegas near Mount Charleston. Name me.
Answer: Charleston Peak, the highest mountain in southern Nevada at 11,916 feet.
11. I’m a Spring Mountain with cliffs and caves, my unique red sandstone glows at sunset. What am I?
Answer: La Madre Mountain, known for its red sandstone cliffs and caves.
12. Skiers and snowboarders flock to my slopes near Las Vegas each winter. I’m part of the Spring Mountain range. Who am I?
Answer: Lee Canyon, a popular ski area in the Spring Mountains.
Sheep Range Riddles
13. Bighorn sheep roam my craggy high elevation mountains located northwest of Las Vegas. What is my name?
Answer: The Sheep Range, home to bighorn sheep.
14. I’m the highest point in the Sheep Range, my name honors a Native American tribe. What am I?
Answer: Mount Wilson, named after the Wilson Indian Reservation.
15. My Sheep Range summit towers over Red Rock Canyon. Rock climbers scale my steep cliffs. What peak am I?
Answer: La Madre Mountain, located above Red Rock Canyon.
Eldorado Range Riddles
16. I’m a snow-capped Eldorado mountain that lies near the Colorado River. What am I?
Answer: Spirit Mountain, an Eldorado peak near the Colorado River.
17. Gold and silver was mined near my base in the Eldorados in the 1860s. Prospectors hoped to strike it rich. What peak am I?
Answer: McCullough Mountain, which had mining prospects in the 1860s.
18. I’m the highest summit in the Eldorado Mountains, once home to the historic Techatticup Mine. Name me.
Answer: Eldorado Peak, the highest mountain in the Eldorados, near the Techatticup Mine.
Riddles about Mountains in Western Nevada
The mountains of western Nevada contain the Carson Range, Wassuk Range and more. Try these riddles inspired by the region’s peaks:
Carson Range Riddles
19. I’m a Lake Tahoe mountain traversed by the famous Pacific Crest Trail. What peak am I?
Answer: Freel Peak, crossed by the Pacific Crest Trail.
20. Glaciers carved my granite slopes in the Carson Range. Today I’m topped by a fire lookout. Name me.
Answer: Snow Valley Peak, which has a fire lookout on its summit.
21. I’m the highest summit in the Carson Range, towering above Lake Tahoe. Mark Twain once called me “the fairest picture the whole earth affords.” Who am I?
Answer: Mount Tallac, the tallest Carson Range peak described beautifully by Mark Twain.
Wassuk Range Riddles
22. I’m the highest point in the Wassuk Range east of Yerington. My name comes from the Native American word for “high.” What peak am I?
Answer: Mount Grant, whose name comes from the Native American word for “high.”
23. Glaciers carved my steep eastern slopes in the Wassuk Range. Caves dot my base. What mountain am I?
Answer: Hawkins Peak, known for caves at its base and carved eastern slopes.
24. I’m the second highest summit in the Wassuk Range, just shy of 10,000 feet. What peak am I?
Answer: Middle Sister, the second tallest mountain in the Wassuk Range.
Riddles about Mountains in Northwestern Nevada
Northwestern Nevada is full of rugged peaks, including in the Jackson Mountains and Santa Rosa Range. Solve these riddles:
Jackson Mountains Riddles
25. Gold and turquoise were mined near my base in the Jackson Mountains. Today I’m a recreational destination. What mountain am I?
Answer: Snowstorm Mountain, site of past mines and now an outdoor recreation area.
26. My distinct pyramid shape dominates the skyline at the southern end of the Jackson Mountains. Name me.
Answer: Pyramid Peak, the pyramid-shaped mountain on the southern end of the range.
27. My symmetrical double peaks rise in the center of the Jackson Mountains. What mountain am I?
Answer: Twin Peaks, the distinct twin summits in the Jacksons.
Santa Rosa Range Riddles
28. I’m the second highest summit in the Santa Rosa Mountains near Winnemucca. What peak am I?
Answer: Paradise Peak, second highest in the Santa Rosas.
29. My summit offers panoramic views over Winnemucca and the Santa Rosa Mountains. What peak am I?
Answer: Winnemucca Mountain, with views over the city and range.
30. My summit lies on the northwest end of the Santa Rosa Mountains. What mountain am I?
Answer: Elephant Head Peak, on the northwest side of the range.
Riddles about Mountains in East-Central Nevada
East-central Nevada has mountain hotspots like Great Basin National Park. Here are riddles inspired by peaks in this region:
Great Basin National Park Riddles
31. I’m the tallest mountain in Great Basin National Park, a glacier-carved peak rising over 13,000 feet. Name me.
Answer: Wheeler Peak, the tallest summit in Great Basin at 13,065 feet.
32. My name means “Big Summit” in Shoshone. I’m a craggy peak in Great Basin National Park. What am I?
Answer: Baker Peak, whose name means “Big Summit” in Shoshone.
33. Crazy cliffs and pinnacles crown my summit in Great Basin National Park. What peak am I?
Answer: Pyramid Peak, known for its crazy pinnacles and cliffs.
Snake Range Riddles
34. Glaciers carved my dramatic eastern cirque in the Snake Range. What mountain am I?
Answer: Mt. Moriah, known for its huge eastern cirque.
35. My summit offers breathtaking Snake Range vistas. A tram once carried miners here. I share my name with a Bible prophet. What mountain am I?
Answer: Mount Nebo, with spectacular views and a former mining tram.
36. Eyed as a potential observatory site, my distinct pyramid shape dominates the Snake Range skyline. Name me.
Answer: Pyramid Peak, the huge pyramid-shaped Snake Range summit.
Riddles about Mountains in Northeastern Nevada
The mountains of northeastern Nevada are home to ranges like the Ruby Mountains. Try these peak riddles:
Ruby Mountains Riddles
37. Called the “Swiss Alps of Nevada,” my craggy peaks dominate the Ruby Mountains. What am I?
Answer: Lamoille Canyon, the dramatic glacier-carved canyon in the Rubies.
38. I’m the tallest mountain in the Ruby Range, a glaciated peak reaching nearly 12,000 feet. Name me.
Answer: Ruby Dome, the loftiest summit in the Ruby Mountains.
39. Known for its scenic overlooks, this Ruby Mountain pass reaches an elevation of nearly 9,000 feet. What is it called?
Answer: Harrison Pass, the high scenic pass in the Ruby Mountains.
Independence Mountains Riddles
40. Rising above pristine wilderness, I’m the highest summit in the remote Independence Range. What mountain am I?
Answer: Thunder Mountain, the tallest peak in the Independence Mountains.
41. Maverick rancher “Swiftwater Bill” Gates built a ranch at my base in the secluded Independence Mountains. What peak am I?
Answer: Mary’s River Peak, near the Gates of the Mountains ranch.
42. Cougars, bears, and wolverines roam my wilderness slopes in the remote Independence Mountains. Name me.
Answer: Savage Peak, home to cougars, bears, and wolverines.
Conclusion
There are endless mountains to explore across the vast state of Nevada. These peaks have inspired miners, adventurers, authors and artists for generations. Solving riddles about Nevada’s mountains is a fun way to test your knowledge of the state’s unique terrain. Whether climbing switchback trails, gazing at sunset-colored cliffs or simply appreciating a mountain view, Nevada’s high places offer majestic experiences. Next time you find yourself in the Silver State, see if you can match wits against a high mountain riddle!
