Wisconsin may be known for its lakes and cheese, but did you know that the state also has some tall peaks and mountain ranges? Let’s explore some fun riddles about the mountains in Wisconsin and see if you can guess the answers!
Geographic Location
Before we get started on the riddles, let’s first understand a bit about where you can find mountains in Wisconsin.
Where are most mountains located in Wisconsin?
The majority of mountains and rugged terrain in Wisconsin are located along the state’s western border. This includes ranges and peaks found within the Driftless Area, a region that was untouched by glaciers. Some of the notable mountainous areas include:
- Driftless Area along the Mississippi River
- Baraboo Range
- Eastern Ridges and Lowlands region
What is the highest point in Wisconsin?
The highest point in Wisconsin is Timms Hill at 1,951 feet above sea level. Timms Hill is located in Price County near the town of Ogema.
Does Wisconsin have any mountain ranges?
Yes, Wisconsin has a few small mountain ranges and ridges. Some of the most notable include:
- Baraboo Range
- Sugarloaf Ridge
- Niagara Escarpment
- Magnesian Escarpment
General Riddles
Riddle: What has roots as nobody sees, Is taller than trees, Up, up it goes, And yet never grows?
Answer: A mountain
Riddle: What gets bigger the more you take away?
Answer: A hole, such as a quarry or mine digging into the mountain
Riddle: What belongs to you but other people use it more than you?
Answer: Your name, which may appear on mountain or trail signs that many people see each day
Riddle: What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps?
Answer: A river, which often starts in or flows through the mountains
Riddle: The more there is, the less you see. What could it be?
Answer: Fog obscuring the mountain views
Ridges and Bluffs Riddles
Riddle: What has no hands but might “shake a hand”?
Answer: A mountain ridge extending out like an arm
Riddle: When one does not know what it is, then it is something; but when one knows what it is, then it is nothing. What is it?
Answer: A ridge hidden in fog or clouds
Riddle: What can run all day without getting tired?
Answer: A bluff line
Riddle: What belongs to you but is used more by others?
Answer: Your name printed on a trail map or sign
Riddle: I have cities, but no houses. I have mountains, but no trees. I have water, but no fish. What am I?
Answer: A map used by hikers to navigate the ridges and bluffs
Caves and Mines Riddles
Riddle: What gets wet while drying?
Answer: A stalactite in a cave
Riddle: What has a neck but no head?
Answer: A cave
Riddle: What belongs to you but others use it more than you do?
Answer: Your name printed at the cave or mine entrance
Riddle: People take me from my bed, chop off my head, I rarely weep till I am dead. What am I?
Answer: Rock or minerals mined from the mountain
Riddle: What gets broken without being held?
Answer: A promise, such as keeping a cave undisclosed
Forest and Tree Riddles
Riddle: What loses its head in the morning and gets it back at night?
Answer: A mountain that disappears into the clouds and reappears at dusk
Riddle: What gets wetter the more it dries?
Answer: A towel, after getting soaked from playing in a mountain stream
Riddle: What has branches and leaves but no bark?
Answer: A library in a mountain lodge
Riddle: What has hands but can not clap?
Answer: A clock or watch you check frequently while waiting for the mist to clear from the mountaintop view
Riddle: What building has the most stories?
Answer: The library in the mountain resort lodge, filled with tales of the area’s history
Wildlife Riddles
Riddle: What belongs to you but other people use it more than you?
Answer: Your name printed on trail signs that hikers and wildlife pass each day
Riddle: People walk over it everyday but never groan or sigh. What is it?
Answer: A mountain trail quiet enough to spot wildlife
Riddle: What building has the most stories?
Answer: The visitor center filled with tales of mountain wildlife sightings
Riddle: What has four legs but can’t walk?
Answer: A mountain summit lookout table bolted in place
Riddle: What goes up and down but does not move?
Answer: Mountain wildlife trail camera activity levels
Climbing and Hiking Riddles
Riddle: What has hands but can’t clap?
Answer: A clock or watch tracked eagerly while waiting for fog to lift
Riddle: What building has the most stories?
Answer: The lodge library filled with tales climbers share
Riddle: What loses its head in the morning but gets it back at night?
Answer: A mountain disappearing and reappearing through the clouds
Riddle: People take me from my bed, chop off my head, I rarely weep till I am dead. What am I?
Answer: Rock taken for the mountain climbing route
Riddle: What goes up and down but doesn’t move?
Answer: The mountain climbing difficulty rating
Skiing and Winter Sports Riddles
Riddle: What belongs to you but is used more by others?
Answer: Your name on ski trail signs used daily each winter
Riddle: What gets wetter the more it dries?
Answer: Mittens and gloves dried by a lodge fire after playing in the mountain snow
Riddle: What loses its head in the morning but gets it back at night?
Answer: A mountain disappearing and reappearing through snow squalls
Riddle: I am tall when young but short when I am old. What am I?
Answer: A winter snowpack melting more each sunny day
Riddle: What building has the most stories?
Answer: The main ski lodge filled with tales from years gone by
Conclusion
So there you have it – 54 riddles all about the unique aspects of mountains in Wisconsin! From winter snow sports to mining and caves, thick forests and high ridges, I hope you had some fun trying to puzzle out the answers. Wisconsin’s landscape may not be thought of as tall or treacherous, but it has a rugged beauty all its own waiting to be explored and enjoyed if you know where to look!
