Uncompahgre Peak is a prominent mountain summit located in the San Juan Mountains range in southwestern Colorado. At 14,309 feet (4,361 meters) elevation, Uncompahgre Peak is the sixth highest peak in Colorado. It’s rocky slopes and jagged ridges provide a challenging climb with incredible views.
Uncompahgre Peak’s name comes from the Ute words “Uncompaghre” meaning “dirty water” or “red lake” referring to the reddish iron springs in the vicinity. The Ute people considered Uncompahgre Peak a sacred mountain. Today, it’s popular for mountaineering, backpacking, photography, and more.
In this article, we’ve compiled 49 riddles about different aspects of Uncompahgre Peak to test your knowledge about this iconic Colorado fourteener. See if you can solve them all!
Geography
Q1: Sharp and towering, I pierce the Colorado sky. Over 14,000 feet I rise, one of the tallest peaks nearby. My five letter Ute name means “red lake” they say. Seen from Ouray, what peak am I today?
A1: Uncompahgre
Q2: I’m a glacier-carved valley found right at Uncompahgre’s base. Follow me upstream to discover my alpine basin place. Over ten miles long, to Nellie Creek I flow. Descend down my trail to see where I go. What am I?
A2: Nellie Creek
Q3: On Uncompahgre’s northwest ridge I perch so very high, a rocky outcropping basalts admire. I may not be the true peak’s tip, but here the views I sip. Over 400 feet down I peer upon the land so dear. What sub-peak would I be?
A3: Pigeon Peak
Climbing Routes
Q4: The easiest route most climbers take, I don’t make your legs ache. Traversing the south face, I’m the mountaineer’s choice pick. Identify me now – go ahead, take your climb.
A4: South Ridge
Q5: Considered moderate yet thrilling I know, I take climbers up the northern flow. Crossing glassy slabs and blocks galore, experienced climbers only should my narrow ledges explore. What Uncompahgre route leads the way?
A5: North Ridge
Q6: Climb high I take you, right up the center massif. Beware my loose rock and scrambling bits. Rewards await those who dare traverse. Name me now, I’m a popular climbing pass.
A6: West Face
Wildlife
Q7: Bushy-tailed and quick, we rock-dwelling mammals roam Uncompahgre’s heights. Munching on plants, insects and seeds we thrive. Of squirrel cousin descent, tell us what tribe?
A7: Pika
Q8: Through Uncompahgre’s woods and glades we prowl on padded paws so soft. Our furry coats in winter turn white as snow. Elusive as ghosts we deer-like creatures go. Identify what mountain mammal are we?
A8: Mountain goat
Q9: Peaceful grazers of meadow and peak, in herds we animals convene. Bearing horns on our hairy heads, we mountain caps like kings and queens. Say our name, but speak with care, for an unstable rock fall we cannot share.
A9: Bighorn sheep
Plant Life
Q10: My name comes from Greek, meaning “dweller of rocky districts”, aptly so. With yellow blooms on branching stems, among the fellfields I grow. Hardy and tough, what alpine flower am I?
A10: Rockcress
Q11: Blue and bell-like, my blossoms bow and sway. I carpet green meadows near stone-rubble clay. Elusive I may be, blink and you’ll miss my charm. Flowery marmots relish me upon their far-off farm. What lovely plant hides over there?
A11: Harebell
Q12: My bushy form and woody stem, in the mountain winds I weather. Berried juniper I am called, protecting tiny seeds together. Native to Colorado’s peaks, name my enduring tree.
A12: Alpine juniper
Geological Features
Q13: Formed long ago from lava hot and red, cliff-ringed I stand out steep and wedged. Though silent now, active I used to be. A crater atop Uncompahgre’s summit, pray tell, what landform am I?
A13: Uncompahgre Caldera
Q14: Glaciers cold, long since gone did carve, craggycirques that push and sharp. Look upward toward the jagged peak, see my rocky hollows etched so deep. Name this bowl-like valley landform, product of ice ages long ago born.
A14: Cirque
Q15: Beneath the mountain I was pressed and led, until millions of years caused rock to spread. Fault-block I uplifted tall, my dual names both say it all. Called me now, a grand result of tectonic heave.
A15: Horst
Human History
Q16: My people were the first on scene, hunting ground of Uncompahgre I did glean. Buckskin leggings were my style, though now I rest beneath the mile. Ute ancestor in year gone by, who would I be? Tell it if you can decry.
A16: Tabeguache Ute
Q17: Prospectors and miners hoped I’d yield, precious metals and ore newly revealed. But my charms were false it seems, for only silver dreams. Phantom mine now lost, pray tell what was my name?
A17: Lost Wonder Mine
Q18: Adventurous artists captured my face, Thomas Moran with brush and pace. His painstaking care immortalized my fame, with Bierstadt’s rays that did the same. Mountain monarchs we were crowned, peaks of painters past renowned. Who’s creations made our vistas known? Please say.
A18: Hudson River School Artists
Recreation
Q19: An annual endurance test I’ve become, running over thirteen miles for fun. Passing through Telluride and mountain valleys galore, completing me takes grit for sure. I’m a rugged trail challenge by name, say me if you please.
A19: Bear Creek Trail Run
Q20: Over 200 miles long, my end-to-end. Passing scenic peaks and places grand. Traversing the San Juans high I span, a National wonderland. Name me dear Coloradan.
A20: Colorado Trail
Q21: Ski me in Telluride, advanced runs I’m known. Or try my slopes in summer instead, where mountain bikers roam my thread. I’m Prospect Bowl, a famous zone, say my quirky chairlift name anon.
A21: Revelation Lift
Future Threats
Q22: Glaciers disappearing, temperatures a’changing. Habitats fragmenting, ecosystems rearranging. From climate shifts Uncompahgre’s not exempt, name the warming threat.
A22: Climate change
Q23: Once pristine snow now traps this dirty dust. Carrying toxins aloft in its gust. Polluting the peaks and choking the air, poisoning parklands once free of despair. What settled particle plagues you?
A23: Dust on snow
Q24: Trees ravaged by waves, quickly meeting their doom. Devouring infestations consume. Spreading exponentially they threaten still, Uncompahgre’s forests and ages-old glory. What insects bring worry?
A24: Bark beetles
By the Numbers
Q25: Count my letters, a number you’ll find. Add the year Colorado joined the Union aligned. Now from the sum subtract two-oh-one-eight, and the elevation feet will clearly state. What arithmetic equation will reveal?
A25: 14 + 1876 – 2018 = 14309 feet
Q26: Take the year of Uncompahgre’s first known summit bid untrue, now split it in half you see. Next multiply by two, then add a century more if you please. Finally divide by the peaks numbered height ranking in the state. And to my false attempt year return double time, what now do you relate?
A26: 1884
Q27: The Utes called Uncompahgre home for ages long gone bye. Counting centuries take eleven away. Next Colorado’s entrance date as the Union’s thirty-eighth state. Add them up and here’s the year my people’s plight became worse, say what that was.
A27: 1881
Rhyme Time
Q28: Jagged and bold, craggy and old. Glacier carved crest, one of the west’s best. Rhyme my peak’s name, come take this word game.
A28: Uncompahgre
Q29: Ouray’s crown jewel, nature’s towering tool. Rhyme the title, of this regal vital.
A29: Peak royal
Q30: North and south I reach, climbing me is no easy feat. Loose rock and ice can cause trouble in a trice. Find a word that fits, make it quick before snow spits!
A30: Fickle peak peril
Odd One Out
Q31: Which doesn’t belong: San Juan, Sneffels, Cimarron, Uncompahgre?
A31: Cimarron
Q32: Which is not like the others: Ridgway, Telluride, Silverton, Dallas?
A32: Dallas
Q33: Which doesn’t fit: South Ridge, North Ridge, West Face, East Canyon?
A33: East Canyon
True or False
Q34: Uncompahgre Peak has the highest summit elevation in Colorado.
A34: False (It’s the 6th highest in the state)
Q35: Uncompahgre Peak is located in the San Juan mountain range.
A35: True
Q36: Uncompahgre Peak’s name means “Red Mountain” in Ute.
A36: False (It means “Red Lake”)
Fill in the Blank
Q37: Uncompahgre Peak is surrounded by many other ____________ peaks.
A37: Fourteen thousand foot or 14er
Q38: Standard technical climbing routes up Uncompahgre Peak involve ___________ and __________ travel.
A38: Scrambling; Class 3
Q39: Uncompahgre Peak played an important historical and spiritual role for Native American ___________ tribes.
A39: Ute
What Am I?
Q40: Jagged and old, I pierce the sky so bold. Formed of ancient rock and carved by ice so cold. Ute ghosts may haunt me still, sacred land I fulfill.
A40: Uncompahgre Peak
Q41: Glaciers cold crawled across my stony face, carving cirques that craggy scars replace. Home to pikas now instead, munching plants near ledges spread.
A41: Uncompahgre Peak’s north face
Q42: I’m the easiest named route, up the mountain’s southern drape. Loose rock still brings trouble, careful climbs I subtly nudge.
A42: South Ridge
Would You Rather
Q43: Would you rather climb Uncompahgre via the North Ridge or South Ridge?
A43: South Ridge (Easier route)
Q44: Would you rather hike to Uncompahgre Peak in summer or winter?
A44: Summer (Safer conditions)
Q45: Would you rather photograph wildflowers on Uncompahgre or wildlife?
A45: Personal preference!
This or That
Q46: Ice axe or trekking pole?
A46: Ice axe (for Uncompahgre’s glacier route)
Q47: Camping or hotel?
A47: Camping (To enjoy the night sky)
Q48: Telluride or Ouray?
A48: Both (great mountain towns!)
Q49: Summit or explore the base?
A49: Summit (for the epic views!)
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this collection of 49 riddles all about Colorado’s stunning Uncompahgre Peak! From geography and climbing routes to wildlife and threats to the peak’s future, these riddles cover it all. How many could you solve on the first try? Test your knowledge of this iconic mountain landscape nestled in the San Juan peaks. Whether you’ve already summited Uncompahgre or just appreciate it from afar, learning more about this special place through challenging riddles makes the experience even richer. Now get out there and embrace your next adventure in wild, wonderful Colorful Colorado!
