Where on Earth? - November 2008

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Cassandra Willyard

Clues for November 2008:

1. This peak is part of a scenic 13,800-hectare forested canyon area that shares the name of the mountain. The canyon, surrounded by lofty mountains, u-shaped valleys, glacial lakes and waterfalls, is a favorite destination for hikers, trout fishermen, skiers — and especially ice climbers, who are drawn to the frozen waterfalls flowing down this 3,139-meter-high peak.

2. The nearest city, about 11 kilometers from the canyon area, was founded along an offshoot of a famed settlers’ trail in the mid-1800s. Today, the city is home to several famous mountaineers, outdoorsmen and ice climbers, and has been featured in movies and TV shows.

3. The peak and canyon are part of a mountain range of Eocene-age (55-million- to 34-million-year-old) volcanic rocks, and are named after a relatively rare type of sky-blue-colored opal that is found here.

Name the peak and canyon, and their location.

Scroll down for the answer

Answer: The 3,139-meter-high Hyalite Peak is part of a scenic 13,800-hectare forested canyon surrounded by mountains, U-shaped valleys, glacial lakes and waterfalls. The peak is located near Bozeman, Mont., hometown of “CSI” character Catherine Willows and Jodie Foster’s character in “Silence of the Lambs.” The peak also shares its name with a rare type of skyblue- colored opal. Photo is by Cassandra Willyard.

November winners
Richard Bonello (Price, Utah)
Charles Cannon (Oregon City, Ore.)
Julie Chang (Norman, Okla.)
Travis Cox (Arlington, Texas)
Scott Densmore (Fort Worth, Texas)
Ted Reeves (Ennis, Mont.)
Chris Scott (Brentwood, Tenn.)
Paul Segovis (Rexford, N.Y.)
Gregory Vandeberg (Grand Forks, N.D.)
Michael Watson (Redlands, Calif.)

To submit your photographs to our Where on Earth? contest, send them via e-mail to
earth@earthmagazine.org.