My friend and I are in good shape, and thought it was difficult, but we also had heavy packs. The ascent is about 2500 ft in elevation. The only downside is that the last 2.5 miles are unshaded and on a beautiful early September day it can be HOT in the afternoon. I would have been uncomfortable had my daughter been with us. Continue up the dirt road for 6.7 miles. 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. 2023 Atlas Obscura. We all get caught short sometimes and its gross to have to carry it out but with a little planning, and plenty of hand sanitizer, it can be manageable. We started our hike at about 7:45 am. We started our hike at about 7:45 am. 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. Top things to do in Colorado that are simply unmissable. Directions from Aspen: Drive 1/2 mile west of Aspen on Highway 82. Two 14ers, Castle and Conundrum and a 13er, Castlebra. ", "Deepti - you'll definitely want sturdy shoes for this hike. Trail Photos Our spontaneous naked soak with strangers-turned-new friends wound up being a bonding experience and a highlight of the hike for my sons. 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. You can get water from the main creek that has many easy access points. Wondering if anyone who has a Tuesday and Wednesday reservation in October would want to trade for this earlier two night trip? The pools will be at their deepest and the warm water feels great after a day spent hiking in brisk mountain air. Strong hikers can easily achieve the roundtrip in a day with an early start. The hike is 17 miles round trip. I am looking for a permit or someone to share a camp site with on the 15th-16th of October! Overall well worth it and would do again. We spent about 1.5 hours in the pool. All rights reserved. but go early morn as some folks camp there for the evening and. ", "It was gorgeous!!! My fianc proposed to me at the hot springs, so this place is super special to me. Be prepared for this if you are making a day trip. Raft the Colorado River through Glenwood Springs - Half Day Adventure, Real Gold Mine Tour with, gold panning and more, Browns Canyon Sizzler 6-Hour Whitewater Rafting Experience from Buena Vista, Glenwood Springs Short and Mild Rafting Trip, Extreme Sledding in Breckenridge: Country Boy Mine, French Alpine Bistro - Creperie du Village. I can't wait to go back up and get in the water with such amazing views. Fishing is permitted along Conundrum Creek with a valid Colorado fishing license. 6.5hrs RT from Parking lot! The hike up there was moderate, to difficult in the fact that you are carrying weight, you have to cross the river a couple of times and maneuver a boulder field. Front wheel drive with chains will also work. Formed in existing craters or rocks through years of visitation, the Conundrum Hot Springs offer therapeutic soaking in a natural environment. 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. I have an extra permit for 10/29 It is a gorgeous trail with so much scenery, and the trail it's self was not too difficult until you cross over the river. Hoping to hike this beauty mid May this year. The water is air cooled while flowing through the rock-lined channels before reaching the soaking pools.[6][2]. The springs also serve as a first stop on longer routes to Crested Butte, Copper Basin and East Maroon Pass. Difficult in terms of length more than elevation, & the hot spring is *definitely* worth it. Keep all of this in mind when planning your trip. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. 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. It is definitely a hard one. temperature of ~100 degrees F (each pool varies). Stay overnight for extras like aqua yoga and guided hikes. The Conundrum Creek Trail runs through long stretches of level meadows, aspen forests and wide valley openings to the springs. There is one main hot springs pool that fits about 15 people and is about 102 degrees. Come in the summer and fall for the warmest soaks, as snowmelt often floods the pools the rest of the year. Front wheel drive with chains will also work. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. The camping sites are great, the springs are beautiful. Mt. The trail starts at 9300 feet, so be prepared for high altitude hiking. The trail hops a creek braid and opens past spurs for designated sites to the split for Triangle Pass. A lot harder than I thought. Thanks in advance. Backpacked in the rain to the top and out in snow, but it was 100% worth it. I thought I was going to freeze to death but survived. Hi- my friend and I are looking to see the fall foliage, and potentially have an awesome story about picking up a permit from someone OR sharing a site. Raft the Colorado River through Glenwood Springs - Half Day Adventure, Real Gold Mine Tour with, gold panning and more, Browns Canyon Sizzler 6-Hour Whitewater Rafting Experience from Buena Vista, Glenwood Springs Short and Mild Rafting Trip, Extreme Sledding in Breckenridge: Country Boy Mine, French Alpine Bistro - Creperie du Village. If occupied, there are many sites down valley (and still very close). Enjoy! First, be prepared for the altitude the high elevation can cause altitude sickness, so take it slow and stay hydrated. The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics named Conundrum a "hot spot" for experiencing severe impacts due to outdoor activities, according to its website. Bear right, then keep left on the dirt road for one mile to the trailhead. I would definitely not recommend doing this as a day trip, as it is marked an "8.25 mile" hike but we mapped it and it was closer to 10 each way. A better hike is the South Platte Trail in Denver. We met some wonderful people hanging out in the springs and everyone shared what they had. After picking up your required overnight permit, start your morning with a coffee in Aspen, then drive out 15 min to the trailhead at the end of Conundrum Creek road. 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. Be prepared to see some bare bodiesmany ladies will go topless and men will often wear little to nothing. The temperature averages 100 F, however, the smaller pools tend to be a little cooler. The views were incredible, with snow-capped mountains on either side of much of the trail and several lakes along the way. Then, great ready to stargaze like never before, and do it all again tomorrow. Beautiful and enjoyable hike. 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. This temperature is perfect for soaking and it makes this one of the best hot springs in Colorado. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. I did a day trip which was 18 miles in total I finished with 7 and 40 minutes in time duration. Tent sites, simple cabins and a communal kitchen make for easy overnight stays (BYO provisions). They explained to us that nudity in these hot springs is a Conundrum tradition. Just one backpacker. ", N39 07.148W106 51.366 0.0 miles : Conundrum Creek Trailhead, N39 06.733W106 51.497 .5 miles : Dip and rise through open space in lower valley, N39 06.349W106 51.575 1.0 miles : Intervals of conifer and aspen along creek, N39 05.970W106 51.698 1.5 miles : Rolling travel into small meadow, N39 05.717W106 51.850 1.85 miles : Large meadow ringed by aspen, N39 05.224W106 52.043 2.5 miles : Fast travel through mixed forest and glades, N39 05.050W106 52.148 2.75 miles : Cross bridge to west side of creek, N39 04.547W106 52.487 3.5 miles : Rise into large meadow, N39 04.023W106 52.838 4.25 miles : Trail steepens past meadow above gorge, N39 03.580W106 52.937 4.8 miles : Enter 2nd large meadow past creek crossing, N39 03.004W106 53.035 5.5 miles : Far end of second meadow, N39 02.622W106 53.056 6.0 miles : Dip to bridge leading to Silver Ponds, N39 02.258W106 53.046 6.55 miles : Ford Creek to west side, N39 01.808W106 53.127 7.2 miles : Valley opens across talus field, N39 01.187W106 53.305 8.0 miles : Last campsites where fires are permitted, N39 01.011W106 53.374 8.15 miles : Sign for campsites and fire restrictions, N39 00.698W106 53.489 8.5 miles : Conundrum Hot Springs. A brightly colored natural bridge formed by mineral-rich hot springs high up in the Andes. Less than a 20-minute drive from downtown Aspen, the trailhead to get to Conundrum Hot Springs is easily accessible. Castle Creek Road is winding and narrow in places. There is no camping allowed at the springs. We hiked from the trail head to the Conundrum Hot Springs and back to the trail head. I know each day & week makes a huge difference on the trail. 8,765' - 11,222' (11,222' max elevation @ the hot springs), +2,457' net elevation gain (+3,025' total roundtrip elevation gain), "Conundrum Hot Springs is relatively moderate for hikes in the Aspen area, but fairly long - especially with snow cover and carrying an overnight pack. The trail opens across a talus field with your first clear view of the upper valley (7.2 miles : 10,455'). This was not the case at all on our day there. The ford can be voluminous at peak runoff, but is generally safe and easy. The water temperature of Conundrum Hot Springs hovers around 102 degrees. The sites are clearly marked. How to get to Conundrum Hot Springs: The hot springs are located in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, south of Aspen. Print Trail more. Avalanches are a possibility, especially toward the afternoon. The Conundrum Creek Trailhead is seven miles from town, off Country Road 15B. $$ - $$$ 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. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Hot springs pepper the property, indoor and out, and plenty of other experiences await sleigh rides, cross country skiing, fly fishing, trail rides and more. The hike is around 8.5 miles on way. Be advised that if you are in campsites 9-11 you still have another steep half mile to hike after the hot springs sign. Weather forecast for Conundrum Hot Springs (Colorado), with all weather data such as: Temperature, Felt temperature, Atmospheric pressure, Relative humidity, Wind speed, Wind gusts, Isotherm, Precipitation, Cloud cover and Heat index - www.ViewWeather.com I do hikenormally with gear! Late spring to mid-fall is thought of as optimal times to visit once winter snow has melted away. If the lot is full, use overflow parking on Castle Creek Road around the Conundrum Creek Road turnoff. The temperature in the nine separate hot springs ranges from lukewarm to as high as 120-degree Fahrenheit. There are 16 crossings of the creek along the trail. Help keep the Conundrum Hot Springs area clean by packing out all that you take in, and picking up trash along the way. As of the summer of 2017, permits are necessary for overnight trips. Dipped into the 20s at night and woke up to an inch of snow, but again you wont see incredible fall leaves like this unless there is a little pain in the process! Many of them are on well-constructed wooden bridges. The lodge offers, Outray, Colorado is home to a unique destination the Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa & Lodgings. Overnight camping is available but not right by the springs its best to get there early to grab your spot and pack a flashlight for easy navigation. When we were leaving there were two. Upon reaching the top there are 16 different camp sights to choose from, half are below the sprigs, and the other half above. I went once in mid june time frame. It starts to become rocky and a little unstable after that, but still not too terrible. [5], In recent years there have been problems at the springs with human feces being left by hikers, campers and spring users which can contaminate the water with pathogens. We had great conversation. Its a strenuous hike, but the reward is well worth the effort. [1][2][3][4], The hot mineral water collects in existing craters as well as several primitive rock-lined soaking pools that have been dug out nearby. Do it. . Conundrum Hot Springs boasts two separate pools. A side note: The students in the pool fed by the main hot spring were all completely naked. Enjoy this 29.0-km out-and-back trail near Aspen, Colorado. Left Sunday 9/4 around 9:30 am, took us just under 4 hours to get back to the parking lot which was very packed. How is hiking to Conundrum hot springs at the very end of May through the first week of June? 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. A typical June of July day will see 200 hikers and 75 cars parked at the trailhead. 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. As of the summer of 2017, permits are necessary for overnight trips. Temperatures drop significantly after the sun sets. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. There are several campsites just before this sign along the creek where fires are still permitted. Also watch where you step by the campsites, human land mines are everywhere. Besides them, everyone was super great! Our spontaneous naked soak with strangers-turned-new friends wound up being a bonding experience and a highlight of the hike for my sons. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Super fun trip! Conundrum Hot Springs Spring, Pitkin, Colorado (United States), elevation 3416 m Press to show information about this location Forecast Nearby Map Details Current conditions -11 Feels like -19 0 mm 5 m/s Table Graph Night Morning Afternoon Evening Max/min temp. When to Visit Conundrum Hot Springs Summer camping in high country areas like this really exists only from early July to mid-September. A couple of friends had mentioned that the trail and the hot springs are over-crowded. Thanks so much for any insight! They were respectful yet unbashful. It steepens away in a cluttered forest to a sign on the hot springs perimeter (8.15 miles : 10,965'). Stoves only. Any dates from Oct 13 to Oct 15: contact me at [email protected] Thanks! The Conundrum Creek Trail sees heavy traffic throughout the summer, especially on weekends. The springs were absolutely beautiful. Car rentals can be easily booked from either airport. 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. Map updates are paused. Larger pool than expected, clear water, and it was perfectly warm. They were respectful yet unbashful. Offering therapeutic bathing in natural surroundings, they boast several pools in different sizes and temperatures; most being around three feet deep and reaching an average of 100 F while the smaller ones tending to be slightly cooler. Home to water slides and splash pads, adventure river tubing and the largest hot springs pool in the world (a whopping 400-ft-long), its no wonder Glenwood Hot Springs is a family favorite. It takes about 5-8 hours to hike in and 3-6 hours to hike out, on average. Would love to come back when its just a bit warmer. Group size is limited to 10 individuals (or 15 with people +. Illegal fires carry a $325+ fine. The views were incredible, with snow-capped mountains on either side of much of the trail and several lakes along the way. It starts to become rocky and a little unstable after that, but still not too terrible. During the fall, crowds are generally less, streams . The weather can change rapidly in the area. Make sure you bring good hiking shoes, sandals for the river crossing and for the hot springs, swimsuit, towel, etc. the Forest Service Rangers come up there often. Little-known and way off-the-grid, the clothing-optional hot springs at Valley View are among the states most relaxed soaking environment. Hiking to Conundrum Hot Springs might look like an impossible feat (the hike is 18 miles round trip), but dont be put off just yet by the distance. It took us 4 hours and 25 minutes to reach the hot springs. The bridge is elevated and narrow - consider crossing in the water if slick or carrying a heavy pack. The trail starts at 9300 feet, so be prepared for high altitude hiking. Oh No. Box 948 Glenwood Springs CO 81602 970.945.2521 | 970.319.2670. Does anyone have camping permit Sept 30 and Oct 1? Enjoy! The hike is beautiful. The site of a defunct mill, that once supplied marble for the construction of the Lincoln Memorial. 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. [6], The hot springs are located approximately 5 hours from Aspen by car. A friendly reminder that dogs are not allowed on this trail (we saw multiple). How to get to Glenwood Hot Springs: The resort is located just off the I-70, in the historic town of Glenwood Springs, west of Vail. Trip Reports 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. 16 crossings of the best times to visit once winter snow has melted away Drive... 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