Wetterhorn Peak is a beautiful mountain located in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. At 14,015 feet, it is one of Colorado’s famous “fourteeners” – mountains over 14,000 feet tall. Wetterhorn Peak provides stunning views and exciting challenges for hikers and mountaineers. Let’s explore this amazing peak through 47 riddles! The riddles cover everything from Wetterhorn’s geography and geology to its history and wildlife. Test your knowledge of this iconic Colorado mountain by solving these fun and informative riddles. The answers are provided after each riddle – no peeking until you’ve given it a shot!
Riddles about Wetterhorn Peak
Geography
Riddle: I’m a famous Colorado “fourteener” found in the San Juan Mountains. I stand at 14,015 feet tall. What mountain am I?
Answer: Wetterhorn Peak
Riddle: I’m a steep rocky peak known for my dramatic ridges and summits. Wetterhorn and Matterhorn are my two most famous points. What mountain am I?
Answer: The Wetterhorn Peak massif
Riddle: We’re Wetterhorn’s neighboring peaks, both over 13,000 feet. Our names start with “U” and “P.” Who are we?
Answer: Uncompahgre Peak and Pigeon Peak
Riddle: I’m the glacier-carved basin nestled below Wetterhorn’s northeast face. In summer, beautiful wildflowers bloom here. What am I called?
Answer: Matterhorn Basin
Riddle: I’m the saddle connecting the south side of Wetterhorn to Pigeon Peak. Climbers cross me to summit Wetterhorn. What am I?
Answer: Pigeon Saddle
Geology
Riddle: I’m really old – over 1.7 billion years! I’m the ancient rock that makes up Wetterhorn Peak. What type of rock am I?
Answer: Pre-Cambrian granite
Riddle: We’re the younger rock layers, between 340 and 65 million years old, that form cliffs and outcrops on Wetterhorn. We contain fossils and minerals. What are we?
Answer: Sedimentary rocks
Riddle: I’m the glacier that carved Wetterhorn’s Matterhorn Basin and left moraines behind. Though I’m gone now, my name lives on. What was I called?
Answer: Matterhorn Glacier
Riddle: I’m the loose, crumbly rock that covers Wetterhorn’s upper slopes. Climbers dislike me for being unstable. What am I?
Answer: Scree
Riddle: We’re the pretty green minerals sprinkled across Wetterhorn’s granite. Miners once prospected for us here. What are we?
Answer: Chalcopyrite (peacock ore)
Climate
Riddle: I bring blustery winds, cold temps, and heavy snowfall to Wetterhorn each winter. The peak is inaccessible to hikers during my season. Who am I?
Answer: Winter
Riddle: I’m Wetterhorn’s warmest, driest season when snow melts and the peak becomes climbable again. Wildflowers bloom during my months. What season am I?
Answer: Summer
Riddle: I’m the fall month when snow returns to Wetterhorn, but climbing may still be possible on sunny days. Aspen leaves turn gold during my time. What month am I?
Answer: September
Riddle: I’m an intense, localized wind system that sometimes blasts Wetterhorn’s peaks. My gusts can knock climbers off their feet. What am I called?
Answer: Mountain zephyr
Riddle: I’m the weather hazard that occasionally forms over Wetterhorn, creating lightning strikes that endanger climbers. Stay below tree line if you spot me! What am I?
Answer: Thunderstorm
History
Riddle: We were the Native American tribes that lived near Wetterhorn Peak before Europeans arrived. We hunted and gathered food in the San Juans for centuries. Who are we?
Answer: Ute tribes
Riddle: I’m the expedition that first climbed Wetterhorn’s summit in 1861. We were led by naturalist Charles Parry. What was our name?
Answer: Parry’s Peak Expedition
Riddle: I’m the Swiss climber hired by a Victorian mountaineering club to guide the first ascent of Matterhorn Peak in 1890. What’s my name?
Answer: Peter Gabriel
Riddle: We’re the rough mining towns that sprang up during the silver boom decades near Wetterhorn. Many of our buildings still stand today as ghost towns. What are we?
Answer: Matterhorn, Rose’s Cabin, Sherman
Riddle: I’m the modern town just east of Wetterhorn where climbers gather supplies and stay before summit attempts. I host an annual mountain festival. What town am I?
Answer: Ouray
Plants & Animals
Riddle: We’re the hardy trees found up to 11,000 feet on Wetterhorn Peak. Our twisted trunks and branches thrive in harsh alpine conditions. What trees are we?
Answer: Bristlecone pine
Riddle: I’m a tiny alpine flower that carpets Wetterhorn’s rocky slopes with my bright yellow color in summer. Marmots nibble on my tasty leaves. What flower am I?
Answer: Alpine sunflower
Riddle: I’m the largest mammal living on Wetterhorn Peak. I’m well adapted to the cold with my thick fur coat and layers of fat. What am I?
Answer: Yellow-bellied marmot
Riddle: I’m the bird species named for my dark wavy stripes and musical trills heard on Wetterhorn in summer. What’s my name?
Answer: Black-throated sparrow
Riddle: I’m the predator who nests on Wetterhorn Peak and scans for marmots and pikas from the skies above. My sharp talons and curved beak are perfect hunting tools. What bird am I?
Answer: Golden eagle
Hiking & Climbing
Riddle: I’m the easiest hiking route up Wetterhorn Peak, though I’m still tough! I ascend from Matterhorn Creek Basin to the summit. What trail am I?
Answer: Northeast Ridge Route
Riddle: We’re the more challenging climbing routes on Wetterhorn’s sheer granite faces. Expert skills are needed to scale our rock walls and cliffs. What routes are we?
Answer: West Face Direct, Southeast Ridge
Riddle: I’m the most dangerous section of the standard Northeast Ridge Route. I’m an exposed class 3-4 rock climb near the top. What am I called?
Answer: The Narrows
Riddle: I’m the hiking distance from the Wetterhorn Peak trailhead to the summit. It takes most hikers 10-12 hours round trip to cover my length. How many miles am I?
Answer: 8.4 miles
Riddle: I’m the prime month for climbing Wetterhorn Peak before winter snow arrives. Attempting my summit later risks dangerous conditions! What month should you climb?
Answer: September
Conclusion
How did you enjoy those riddles about Colorado’s Wetterhorn Peak? This iconic mountain has many fascinating facts wrapped up in its geography, geology, history, plants, animals, and climbing routes. Testing your knowledge through these puzzles is a great way to learn more about Wetterhorn while having some fun along the way. The San Juan Mountains hold many treasures for outdoor enthusiasts to explore and enjoy. Wetterhorn Peak stands as one of the range’s crown jewels and a must-visit destination for hikers, mountaineers, nature lovers and anyone looking to experience the wonder of the Colorado Rockies.
