Located at 11,200 ft, the hot springs and surrounding campsites are subject to the conditions associated with high elevation travel. There is camping at Conundrum Hot Springs with 20 different sites available each night. Signup today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. To snag a permit, you have to be well-informed and a little lucky. Front wheel drive with chains will also work. We then dried off in the sun on the rocks surrounding the main spring and ate our lunch. Some thunder is also possible. So rewarding to say I did this, in one day, super pregnant. The hot springs are surrounded by the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness in the White River National Forest. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The Conundrum Hot Springs were well within the acceptable range. Please try another search. To access all of the content on Yr, we recommend that you update your browser. Bear canisters are required for all backpackers in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. It looks like JavaScript is disabled in your browser. The aspens cover most of the trail for the first four miles, although the actual hot springs and campsites are located primarily in dense pine and fir. A 4 wheel drive vehicle will be required to get to the trailhead this time of year. Many varieties are harmless, but some strains can cause abdominal issues and, in extreme cases, life-threatening kidney failure, according to the Mayo Clinic website. ) or https:// means you've safely Conundrum Hot Springs Zone reserveable campsites, Permit is non-transferable. The Dyrt writer Meghan ODea recently traveled to Ohio to learn all about this thrilling way to connect with, This article about surfing in Maine is brought to by OOFOS, the makers of extremely comfy slide sandals. The appeal of Conundrum Hot Springs is undeniable. The twenty designated campsites allow between two and six people allowed each. Follow Conundrum Road a little over a mile up to the trailhead. Parking is available in a small lot at the trailhead. At both the beginning and tail end of the the seasons, there might be snow covering the trail so be prepared. The difference between the routes from Aspen versus Crested Butte is that the route from Crested Butte is much more difficult both in length at 22.5 miles and elevation gain at over 4000 vertical feet. The Forest Service implemented a strict permit system for overnight visitors to dramatically decrease the impact to the wilderness area. The most important part though is make sure you have comfortable shoes and dry socks as it is very easy to get blisters. The hike is not so difficult from elevation grade but rather for the distance it takes to make it all the way to the hot springs. GMZ870-171215- Waters from Tarpon Springs to Suwannee River FL out 20 to 60 NM- 755 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023 OVERNIGHT West winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming northwest with gusts up to 20 knots, then becoming north 15 to 20 knots late . Welcome to Trail and Summit! Some thunder is also possible. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. The views were incredible, with snow-capped mountains on either side of much of the trail and several lakes along the way. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The tundra above treeline puts on its own display in the fall, however. Be Nice. Welcome to Conundrum Hot Springs, AKA Heaven on Earth. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Overnight camping permits for Conundrum Hot Springs for April 1-July 31 will be available by reservation beginning at 8 a.m. Feb. 15, at www.recreation.gov. No parking is allowed on Conundrum Road outside of the trailhead because it is very narrow and goes over private property. WindPrecip. High in the Elk Mountains above Aspen is one of the most stunning hot springs in the West, one large and several smaller pools bubbling to the surface just at timberline. The first two on our way up were a lovely a couple in their 70's from Novia Scotia who were also ascending. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. The view was spectacular. Advance reservation overnight permits are required for the busiest areas of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness including Conundrum Hot Springs, Capitol Lake, Crater Lake, and the Four Pass Loop (including Snowmass Lake and Geneva Lake). The tiny plants turn a brilliant orange or deep red, and the alpine lake nearby is surrounded by this colorful carpet. Any information of what to expect & how to prepare for it would be much appreciated. Once you reach the decent into the Conundrum Bowl it is only another 3 miles or so to reach the hot springs. United States. Listen to stories, share your own, and be respectful at all times of others experience. Also make sure you are prepared for any emergency that might arise while out in the wilderness during winter because search and rescue will take longer to find and assist you. They were respectful yet unbashful. At 8 miles, there are remnants of a cabin, and the hot springs are just ahead on the left on the other side of the creek. Trailandsummit.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Capitol Lake Zone Designated Campsites If you want to hike to Conundrum Hot Spring and are a less experienced hiker I would recommend the route that leaves from closer to Aspen at Conundrum Creek Trailhead. and reservations. 1am MDT Apr 18, 2023-6pm MDT Apr 24, 2023, Area Forecast Discussion (if above link is not working), Excessive Rainfall and Winter Weather Forecasts, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In Conundrum Hot Springs, Crater Lake, and Capitol Lake Zones, the permit holder and group are required to camp in their reserved campsite. A 20 percent chance of snow showers after midnight. The best time to visit the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is July through September. Around the springs are scenic views of waterfalls, flowers, snow patches, and steep avalanche chutes. When we were leaving there were two. Make sure to bring a filter for water and light weight gear. Take in the views of the 14er Castle Peak, and nearby Cathedral Peak from this hike. Today 5 Mar. Official websites use .gov A .gov Weather in Conundrum Hot Springs (Colorado), . Make sure you bring good hiking shoes, sandals for the river crossing and for the hot springs, swimsuit, towel, etc. See section below for more. With the extra time spent at the hot springs, you could easily be on the trail for over 10 hours. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. Air Quality Excellent. Looking forward to round two. How is hiking to Conundrum hot springs at the very end of May through the first week of June? My fianc proposed to me at the hot springs, so this place is super special to me. We hiked from the trail head to the Conundrum Hot Springs and back to the trail head. You will have to snowshoe or snowmobile into the trailhead because the road is not plowed during the winter and there is virtually no parking nearby during this season. Permit holder or alternate leader must be present. A 20 percent chance of snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. My friend and I were worried about the parking situation (because we heard it is a highly trafficked area) so we arrived at the trailhead around 5:50am. Conundrum Hot Springs Zone reserveable campsites, When planning your trip, please keep the following in mind:, A few more items to agree to and consider when planning include:, Aspen-Sopris Ranger Station (970) 963-2266. Take the right onto Conundrum Road and follow it until you reach the trailhead for Conundrum Creek. Wag bags are also available at the trailhead, although they can run out, so better to bring your own. The hot springs are located approximately 5 hours from Aspen by car. If youre staying just for the day hike in and out or overnight, make sure to bring plenty of provisions like water, food, and camping equipment. When we arrived there were three other cars in the parking lot. Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones. I must admit it was scary at dusk with nobody else on the trail after she seen that, she about crapped her pants. Be prepared for this if you are making a day trip. Summer camping in high country areas like this really exists only from early July to mid-September. person will not be tolerated. It can be difficult but definitely well worth the journey into this remote wilderness. Will it be ok or plan on bringing snow gear? If there is more issues with avalanche damage, the going on the trail will be a little more difficult and could add more time to the already long hike. 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. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. Conundrum Hot Springs Designated Campsites Be warned, if you park on the road you might get towed. Get quick answers from Conundrum Hot Springs staff and past visitors. Nine miles south from Conundrum Trailhead, the small pool is set 2,440 feet above a broad alpine valley and Conundrum Creek. Spencer McKee Director of Content and Operations From early October to late June campsites, trails, and mountain passes are snow covered and the trailheads may be inaccessible.. Some thunder is also possible. Leslie James is all about Colorado when it comes to writing features, sharing adventures, and creating colorful galleries. Very few things can top an autumn weekend in Colorado's high country with great friends, natural hot springs, freeze-dried ice cream, and cozy sleeping bags. Many of them are on well-constructed wooden bridges. The springs are an 8.5 mile hike from the Conundrum Creek trailhead. Avalanches are a possibility, especially toward the afternoon. Be sure to pack accordingly for high altitude weather during all seasons and a night of camping near the hot springs. A couple of friends had mentioned that the trail and the hot springs are over-crowded. Colorado weather: High winds impact Front Range, prompting red flag . This creek crossing can be hazardous, especially during spring runoffs. The best times to visit this trail are June through September. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. 8,326 were here. Temperatures drop significantly after the sun sets. The best way to plan for your trip and to be ready to reserve a permit is to understand where you plan to camp each night of your trip. The trail follows Conundrum Creek from the trail head to the hot springs. A permit is required for overnight stays within theConundrum Hot Springs Zone. West wind 10 to 15 mph. I have hiked to this springs for 55 years. The ascent is about 2500 ft in elevation. 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. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight. After a valley stretch, the trail dives into dense forest that can provide some relief on sunny days. Summit 14,274 feet. About 5 miles after getting onto Castle Creek Road, you will come to Conundrum Creek Road. Current Weather. Then camp near the hot springs before you head back out to the trailhead. Not only can snow increase avalanche risk (check with CAIC for a risk forecast), it can also make the trailhead difficult to access, requiring additional miles of snowy hiking to reach. This has become a huge JOKE in our Aspen Area. the Forest Service Rangers come up there often. In October, the leaves will be just changing to their auburn colors and are gorgeous. If you do not bring these bear resistant containers, you may be asked to leave the premises because of unsafe conditions related to black bears coming into the area. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 55 min to complete. It was sunny and clear and the high temperature reached 60 degrees. Map Information Activities Hiking We hiked from the trail head to the Conundrum Hot Springs and back to the trail head. I would consider this a must-do Colorado activity. It is strongly recommended that you always travel with a partner, as there is no cell service, and rescue from that altitude is difficult. Before July, especially after a wet winter like 2018, expect to see snow in or around your campsite. It is really a WILDERMESS. This trail is a little bit longer at about 22.5 miles total. Snow covers the parking lotfrom December through May and this may extend the length of your hike by several miles. Honestly, the worst part was getting all the way up and then having to turn around and leave the hot springs after only soaking for an hour or so. The pool fed by the main hot spring is in a meadow surrounded by mountains. You might be able to even get a campsite up to the day of your trip depending upon availability. Conundrum Hot Springs is one of Colorados most primitive spots for a soak in heated mineral water. Dogs are also not allowed in the valley so make sure to leave your lovable pets back at home. 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