Today 5 Mar. The Conundrum Creek Trailhead is seven miles from town, off Country Road 15B. Any how long is the hike and is it good to hike at this time of the year? Hikers and snowshoers must endure a 9-mile one-way trek up to 11,200 feet in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness near Aspen, which can be further complicated and lengthened depending on recent weather. It was my younger son's first hike of this length. Make sure to wear sturdy hiking boots, pack plenty of water and snacks, and take breaks along the way to enjoy the stunning views. Keep all of this in mind when planning your trip. For more information, please visit, Colorado Tourism Office, 1625 Broadway, Suite 1700 , Denver, CO, 80202, Phone: 800-COLORADO. Box 948 Glenwood Springs CO 81602 970.945.2521 | 970.319.2670. Clocked 19.3 miles with some walking around, but AllTrails map is spot on. We encountered only eight people the whole day. The trail follows Conundrum Creek from the trail head to the hot springs. My older son admired their confidence. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Additionallya friend (hiking a little ways ahead of me) seen a mountain lion cross the trail! From the invigorating hike through the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness to the soothing soak in the natural hot springs, youre sure to leave with a renewed appreciation for the beauty and wonder of Colorados great outdoors. It took us 4 hours and 25 minutes to reach the hot springs. During the fall, crowds are generally less, streams . Pack enough food and water for a day hike. As of the summer of 2017, permits are necessary for overnight trips. Looking for a permit for this upcoming weekend 10/22-10/23. Do it. Get details of Location, timings and contact. Castle Creek Road is winding and narrow in places. As one of the highest hot springs in North America, Conundrum Hot Springs sits at a staggering 11,200 feet above sea level, offering jaw-dropping views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. What you willdefinitelysee is an abundance of wildflowers, breathtaking mountain views, and quaint, high-alpine streams. How is hiking to Conundrum hot springs at the very end of May through the first week of June? The hot spring is an extra .5 miles away from the first sites: 17-20. Its two wide, steaming pools overlook a wildflower-strewn mountain valley, with views of snowcapped peaks. Hoping to hike this beauty mid May this year. You better take care of me Lord, if you don't you're gonna have me on your hands. Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Dispersed backcountry camping is permitted in the, Camping is prohibited within 100' of any trail, lake or stream. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. The forest service is asking that people pack it out on their return hike. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. Conundrumdraws thousands each summer, most who camp in the immediate vicinity. 5 hours in 3.5 out. Allison not sure how to message you but Im interested in the permit! Be advised that if you are in campsites 9-11 you still have another steep half mile to hike after the hot springs sign. I would consider this a must-do Colorado activity. It was sunny and clear and the high temperature reached 60 degrees. Your journey begins at the Conundrum Creek Trailhead, located off Castle Creek Road, just a mile west of Highway 82. Expect crowds and minimal privacy during peak months, especially weekends and holidays. The Conundrum Hot Springs are located across the creek about 100 yards away (8.5 miles : 11,222'). When your legs start to feel like jelly, its a good sign that youre getting close to the springs. I am looking for a permit or someone to share a camp site with on the 15th-16th of October! When staying in either the Conundrum Hot Springs, Crater Lake, or Capitol Lake zones, one must camp in the designated site they booked. Map updates are paused. Tent sites, simple cabins and a communal kitchen make for easy overnight stays (BYO provisions). When we arrived at the pool fed by the main hot spring there were four students-- guys in their late teens/early 20s-- soaking in the springs. We encountered only eight people the whole day. Is the weather too cold to hike and stay overnight at the conundrum hot springs in mid-November? The reward for this 17-mile (round-trip) hike in Maroon Bells-Snowmass is Conundrum Hot Springs with two beautiful hot spring pools with incredible views. Any dates from Oct 13 to Oct 15: contact me at jkukla96@gmail.com Thanks! There were about 5-10 spots available at this time and not a soul in sight. It took us 4 hours and 25 minutes to reach the hot springs. Time required to visit Conundrum Hot Springs: 06:00 Hrs. 96% of travellers recommend this experience. First time backpacking, I have a permit for 6 people for camping on Wednesday, September 28th, 2022. The sites are clearly marked. Please note that you cannot have campfires in the upper campgrounds, and you will need to camp in designated spaces only (permits required). Want to report conditions for this trail? Saw lots of friendly deer, no bears, only heard about others seeing a moose. One of the students played guitar and sang. This makes for a long day trip, however, it is definitely doable if one is in reasonably good shape. more. In all other zones, permit holder and group should select a campsite within the zone that is already established and is 70 big steps away from trails and water. In Conundrum Hot Springs, Crater Lake, and Capitol Lake Zones, the permit holder and group are required to camp in their reserved campsite. They explained to us that nudity in these hot springs is a Conundrum tradition. We met some wonderful people hanging out in the springs and everyone shared what they had. For the first time ever, Lonely Planet's experts have compiled the USA's 500 most memorable, beautiful, surprising and compelling experiences. When to Visit Conundrum Hot Springs Summer camping in high country areas like this really exists only from early July to mid-September. ), likely due to the weather. $$ - $$$ American Bar Vegetarian Friendly, $$$$ Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options Gluten Free Options, $$$$ American Steakhouse Gluten Free Options, $ American Fast Food Vegetarian Friendly, Points of Interest & Landmarks Lookouts. Make sure you bring good hiking shoes, sandals for the river crossing and for the hot springs, swimsuit, towel, etc. Other zones require 70 steps away from water sources and trails for camping; pre-established sites should be used for this purpose. We went on a Wednesday-Thursday in July, and the flowers were AMAZING. We were on a such a time crunch and should have prepared better. None of us found it more than moderately difficult in any part. Consider camping down-valley, where sites have more space between them. The trail skirts marshy ponds to a marked creek ford back to the west side (6.55 miles : 10,320'). This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. pls message 9177550418, Cancelled a permit Site 18, 6 people, 10/5-10/6. We started our hike at about 7:45 am. One of the students played guitar and sang. From the reviews I was expecting it to be a bit harder. Enjoy! If you are an experienced Winter hiker and have a 20 below bag and a good tent, good warm boots and gators to keep the snow out of your boots, a trip to Conundrum is possible. The springs are at treeline in a valley topped by Cathedral Peak (13,943'), Conundrum Peak (14,022') and Castle Peak (14,265'), which share a similar geologic make-up and appearance to Maroon Bells. for mother natures sake pack out your TP/cleansing wipes. Many of them are on well-constructed wooden bridges. The larger soaking pool is 15 feet in diameter and approximately 4.5 feet deep. and follow the rules. The pool, which sits between 95 and 102 degrees, is 35 feet by 90 feet, making it one of the largest private hot springs-fed pools in the state. Backcountry Camping Permit Information for Conundrum Hot Springs and the Conundrum Creek Valley: Overnight permits for the Conundrum Creek Valley are released according to the following schedule: Once released, permits may be reserved online up to the day of the trip. The lower pool is cooler with temperatures around 80 degrees. No purchase necessary. Prepare and stay the night! Overall I would still tell everyone to go there! Conundrum Hot Springs boasts two separate pools. The trail is at high elevation, beginning at about 8,000 feet and ending at about 11,200 feet. These are the best. The most important part though is make sure you have comfortable shoes and dry socks as it is very easy to get blisters. and follow the rules. Avalanches are a possibility, especially toward the afternoon. All rights reserved. While the springs are the main attraction, the hike in is equally compelling. -10 / -12 0 mm 5 m/s Open hourly forecast Monday 6 Mar. After turning onto Conundrum Creek Road, follow the dirt road for about half a mile until you reach ample parking. This includes educating visitors on proper wilderness etiquette and enforcing permit regulations. Rain/Snow Likely Low: 32 F Friday Snow Showers Likely High: 44 F Friday Night Chance Snow Showers Low: 22 F Saturday Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny High: 41 F Saturday Night Mostly Clear Low: 21 F Sunday Sunny High: 53 F Sunday Night Mostly Clear Low: 28 F Detailed Forecast Overnight Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. The Conundrum Hot Springs experience isnt just limited to the hot springs themselves. The trail starts at 9300 feet, so be prepared for high altitude hiking. **I forgot to turn off the tracker when we got to camp so it tracked all of my camp set-up, doh!**. Front wheel drive with chains will also work. It is 9 miles from the trail head and 12 miles from Castle Creek road. It is best to explore these areas from July September, as many trails, passes, and campsites are snowed in or otherwise inaccessible outside this time frame. Camping is not allowed within a quarter mile of the trail, but this is abused. It also was packed with about 30 other fellow backpackers (also fun). They are located at an elevation of 11,200 feet, making them some of the highest hot springs in the country. Colorado has some of the most incredible hot springs in the world and the views to match Jordan Siemens / Getty Images, The 7 best hot springs in Colorado, from high-end luxury to the wild outdoors. Overall I would still tell everyone to go there! Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. It starts to become rocky and a little unstable after that, but still not too terrible. Camping is only permitted in designated sites beyond this point, and fires are not permitted. Nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains,, Ouray Hot Springs Pool in Colorado is a must-visit destination for those looking to explore the outdoors and embrace their wild side. lunk03@gmail.com. It was a full moon taboot so there were some drunk folks talking about lady gaga but I still loved every moment of it even if I wish they would've been more quiet and lesa drunk. Is the weather too cold to hike and stay overnight at the conundrum hot springs in mid-November? Let all do better so these beautiful places can stay as pristine as possible. Drive exactly 5 miles up Castle Creek then turn right onto Conundrum Road. The Conundrum Creek Trail near Aspen, Colorado was an adventurous 18.5-mile round trip hike with 3,025' total elevation gain, plenty of colorful foliage, creek crossings, incredible . Wanted to post here and give a heads up to help someone get their dream hike! Try and time it if possible so youre not roasting in the late afternoon sun like we were. The other couple bailed, so we'd be happy to give up their spot :). The ford can be voluminous at peak runoff, but is generally safe and easy. The trail enters a third major meadow at 4.8 miles that stretches (with brief interruption) to a bridge leading east to the Silver Ponds (6.0 miles : 10,240'). Parking is strictly prohibited on private property that lines the trailhead access road. How to get to Strawberry Park Hot Springs: Strawberry Park is located at the end of Country Road 36, seven miles north of Steamboat Springs. Be prepared for this if you are making a day trip. There are 16 crossings of the creek along the trail. [1][2][3][4] For faster navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for Conundrum Hot Springs . Many of them are on well-constructed wooden bridges. After sunset, the hot springs are adult-only and clothing-optional; theres little light which makes for spectacular stargazing (bring a headlamp to get around!). Larger pool than expected, clear water, and it was perfectly warm. It was sunny and clear and the high temperature reached 60 degrees. Bring enough water or a purification system. It was a beautiful hike, and the view at the top is lovely, but it's not . The hike is around 8.5 miles on way. See. A 4WD vehicle is advisable in winter and spring. The Hot Springs is full of bacteria, and users deficate anywhere they feel like it. The hike back down to the parking lot took about 3.5 hours. The views along the way were incredible. J'aimerais savoir les indications routires et est-ce que la randonne pdestre est indiqu par des panneaux et aussi c'est combien de Kilomtres de marche ? It takes a grueling 8-mile hike uphill hike to reach, but plop into the main pool, absorb the view and breathe the chill mountain air . Its a great way to get your pet or yourself stomped to death by the many moose on trail. The mineral-rich pools are perched on several cement terraces, varying in size and temperature, including a few with direct access to the icy waters of the San Juan River perfect for cooling off between soaks. 98% of travellers recommend this experience. These are the best hikes to add to your list for 2023. A lot harder than I thought. The Conundrum Creek Trail runs through long stretches of level meadows, aspen forests and wide valley openings to the springs. She also loves to share tips on how to make the most of a trip, from budgeting to activities. We spent about 1.5 hours in the pool. The Conundrum Hot Springs are located 8.5 miles from Conundrum Creek Trailhead off Castle Creek Road in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. ", "It was gorgeous!!! We completed our hike six hours later. Many of them are on well-constructed wooden bridges. This over crowded 9 mile trail to the Hot Springs has been over used by the Denver Front Range hikers and it is a mess. An RV campervan gets you to the heart of the US national parks. All rights reserved. Thanks so much for any insight! We are planning to do conundrum hot spring hike as a day hike. Nearby Town: Aspen, ColoradoGPS: 39.012471,-106.891154Season: June OctoberType: Primitive; Hike accessHike: 8.5 miles (one way)Price: FreeClothing: Optional. Winner will be selected at random on 05/01/2023. A popular locals spot, Conundrum can get busy in the summer; come in late spring or early fall for less of a crowd. Enjoy this 29.0-km out-and-back trail near Aspen, Colorado. Trip Reports Could be a fun trail run. Layer upnice and warm during the day but gets pretty cold at night. The hike there is tough but doable: 8.5 miles each way, with a punishing 2400-foot elevation gain, passing through aspen groves and mountain meadows, and winding over creeks and past waterfalls. We had an absolute blast backpacking up the these springs. It is definitely a hard one. What wasnt fun was the people that were camping in our permit spot without a permit that we had to share with and their lack of bear canisters and Subway wraps scattered about. 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