From Deseret News archives:
Peak performance — Test your knowledge of Utah's mountains with this quiz
That's because mountains can be found in all of the state's 29 counties. (Although Colorado has taller mountains, it contains a vast eastern plain that occupies a third of its land mass.)
There are almost 250 named mountain peaks in Utah that exceed 10,000 feet in height and many more that lack names. Kings Peak — Utah's highest point — sits at 13,528 feet above sea level.
The state's mountains are a critical part of the environment. For example, the mountains are watersheds and store snowpack, making Utah much more inhabitable than it would otherwise be as the nation's second-driest state.
They also help create Utah's "greatest snow on Earth" and offer other recreational opportunities, such as hiking and biking.
You may have survived the Geography 101 quiz the Deseret Morning News ran a few years ago, but can you pass this Mountains 300 test?
Do you know?
1. What is Utah's most famous mountain, at least by Hollywood standards?
2. Name Utah's second-highest mountain.
3. Behind the Uintas, what is the second-tallest mountain range in Utah?
4. If you hike near the biblically named Gog and Magog formations, you are near what county high point?
5. Name two significant Utah hikes that travel over something other than paving or dirt.
6. What Utah peak is surrounded by water and is the tallest point within a 10-mile area?
7. What is Park City's highest mountain?
8. What prominent Wasatch Mountain peak lost more than 50 feet of height in 1959 but stands taller than ever today?
9. What is the tallest peak in the Oquirrh Mountains?
10. What was the last major Utah mountain range to be surveyed and named?
Can you decide:
1. For whom was Utah's tallest peak, Kings, named?
a. The king of England
b. Clarence King
c. Walter King
d. Larry King
2. The mountains east of Bear Lake are the:
a. Wellsville Mountains
b. Bear Lake Mountains
c. Cache Mountains
d. Wasatch Mountains
3. Beehive Peak, Pavant Range, southeast of Scipio, resembles a beehive on its north and east sides. However, on its west side, it resembles . . .
a. a human face
b. a pyramid
c. a lighthouse
d. none of the above
4. The highest peak in the Wasatch Mountains is:
a. Timpanogos Peak
b. Twin Peaks
c. Lone Peak
d. Mount Nebo
5. In what mountain range was Utah's coldest temperature recorded?
a. the Wasatch Mountains
b. the Uinta Mountains
c. the Wellsville Mountains
d. the La Sal Mountains
6. The towering mountains located east of Beaver in Beaver and Piute counties are:
a. Beaver Mountains
b. Tushar Mountains
c. Piute Mountains
d. Fremont Range
