Conundrum Hot Springs is one of Colorado's most primitive spots for a soak in heated mineral water. Other zones require 70 steps away from water sources and trails for camping; pre-established sites should be used for this purpose. Its no wonder that thousands of visitors flock to this incredible spot each year. [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. Wanted to post here and give a heads up to help someone get their dream hike! Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The best time to visit Conundrum Hot Springs is July through September. 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. How to road trip the Rocky Mountains on a budget. Reservations required. Planning to go with a (tough) child next week and the ranger station says lots of avalanche debris. The trail follows Conundrum Creek from the trail head to the hot springs. The Conundrum Creek Trailhead is seven miles from town, off Country Road 15B. Let's talk about Hot Springs. Its a great way to get your pet or yourself stomped to death by the many moose on trail. Its two wide, steaming pools overlook a wildflower-strewn mountain valley, with views of snowcapped peaks. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 100% of travellers recommend this experience. 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. A moderate 1.5-mile hike through the lush San Juan National Forest leads to a collection of steaming pools alongside the Piedra River. The hike back down to the parking lot took about 3.5 hours. 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. It took us 4 hours and 25 minutes to reach the hot springs. Formed in existing craters or rocks through years of visitation, the Conundrum Hot Springs offer therapeutic soaking in a natural environment. I would consider this a must-do Colorado activity. Whether you seek the hidden variety, reachable only by an arduous trek, or you prefer private springs in historic towns or swanky all-inclusive resorts, theres a Colorado hot spring out there with your name on it. The views were incredible, with snow-capped mountains on either side of much of the trail and several lakes along the way. Conundrum Hot Springs, Aspen: "Is the weather too cold to hike and stay." | Check out answers, plus see 25 reviews, articles, and 16 photos of Conundrum Hot Springs, ranked No.35 on Tripadvisor among 182 attractions in Aspen. 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. I got a permit for July 28-30 2023 for 4 people at site 14. Be mindful of private property on the trailhead access road - cars will be ticketed and/or towed. If youre feeling particularly adventurous, try extending your trip to Crested Butte via Triangle Pass for a true backcountry bonding experience. It steepens away in a cluttered forest to a sign on the hot springs perimeter (8.15 miles : 10,965'). You will need to book a campsite and permit in advance. Conundrum Hot Springs boasts two separate pools. Marvelous views such as snow patches and avalanche chutes can be seen around the scenic waters, flowers and waterfalls as you bathe. The Conundrum Hot Springs experience isnt just limited to the hot springs themselves. Due to heavy use, campfires are not permitted in the Conundrum Hot Springs vicinity. TL;DR But hey, that adds to the thrill! 99% of travellers recommend this experience. 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. We went on a Wednesday-Thursday in July, and the flowers were AMAZING. You can get water from the main creek that has many easy access points. - FS.USDA.GOV -Roadtrippers There are several pools hewn from craters and fed by plastic pipe, some larger than others and varying in temperature from 102F to 105F.No matter which you sink into, you'll have outrageous alpine views, including glimpses of steep avalanche chutes and waterfalls. Any how long is the hike and is it good to hike at this time of the year? I have an extra permit for 10/29 Be careful not to stray onto the numerous private drives found along the road. Avalanches are a possibility, especially toward the afternoon. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. We started our hike at about 7:45 am. Best time to visit Conundrum Hot Springs (preferred time): 08:00 am - 10:00 am. These are the best. Conundrum Hot Springs, Aspen: Address, Phone Number, Conundrum Hot Springs Reviews: 4.5/5. Guests follow short trails along a forested hillside to soak in steaming ponds, often with no one else around, with views of the dramatic Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the distance. Mt. Be sure to pack some tasty post-hike snacks and set up camp for the night at one of the nearby camping spots. A 4 wheel drive vehicle will be required to get to the trailhead this time of year. Plush and green untainted nature (by humans). My legs might have to forgive me. The Forest Service hauled out a ton of garbage and feces from the trail, which is a Wilderness Area. There are 16 designated sites in the Conundrum Hot Springs vicinity (first come, first served). 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. 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. We had an absolute blast backpacking up the these springs. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Expect crowds and minimal privacy during peak months, especially weekends and holidays. Make sure to bring a filter for water and light weight gear. Started on Thursday 9/2 at 10:30 am, plenty of parking, we stopped a lot so it took us 6.5 hours to get to site 19 at 8.5 miles in. The springs are located in a scenic setting, with views of mountains, avalanche chutes and waterfalls. Hoping to hike this beauty mid May this year. 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. Its five pools are fed by a steaming mountain spring, whose 140-degree waters are cooled by a creek that flows alongside the property. 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. This was not the case at all on our day there. Despite being one of the most photographed vistas in the Rockies these twin peaks are rightfully known as the "Deadly Bells.". Drive exactly 5 miles up Castle Creek then turn right onto Conundrum Road. View maps of: Overnight Permit Zones PROTECTIVE CLOSURE: This area is subject to closure due to habitat protection. It is 9 miles from the trail head and 12 miles from Castle Creek road. The hot spring is an extra .5 miles away from the first sites: 17-20. We hiked the first half of the ascent with them before stopping for a snack. If you are not in decent shape or haven't had experience carrying weight the trip might be very long and tiring, but regardless it will be WORTH it. Is the weather too cold to hike and stay overnight at the conundrum hot springs in mid-November? A better hike is the South Platte Trail in Denver. This. Layer upnice and warm during the day but gets pretty cold at night. 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Be prepared for this if you are making a day trip. The larger soaking pools can fit ten or more people. Temperatures drop significantly after the sun sets. It lookes like we were in Hobbit land. Let all do better so these beautiful places can stay as pristine as possible. From the reviews I was expecting it to be a bit harder. In recent years, the Forest Service has increased its ranger presence in the area to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. Either way, I picked up something awful. The hot spring complex contains two main pools and four smaller springs with a combined approximate discharge of 130 GPM, and max avg. Saw lots of friendly deer, no bears, only heard about others seeing a moose. 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 ? Looking for anyone with permits available for 10/22-10/23 or are willing to share their spot. If the lot is full, use overflow parking on Castle Creek Road around the Conundrum Creek Road turnoff. It will be busy during the middle of summer and on holidays. Group size is limited to 10 individuals (or 15 with people +. Amid lush greenery, a man-made channel peppered with graffiti that dates back to 1881. 18 out of 20 backpacking spots were vacant (please cancel your permits! We spent about 1.5 hours in the pool. Bring enough water or a purification system. The lower pool is cooler with temperatures around 80 degrees. Any information of what to expect & how to prepare for it would be much appreciated. None of us found it more than moderately difficult in any part. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 8 h 4 min to complete. the Forest Service Rangers come up there often. Hoping to hike this beauty mid May this year. The hike involves a gain of 2,500 in elevation to 11,200 feet. Overnight permits for April 1 - July 31: 8aon February 15th, Overnight permits for August 1 - November 30 are available at 8aon June 15th, Overnight permits for December 1 - March 31 are available at 8a on October 15th. Travel is quick to a bridge leading to the west side of the creek (2.75 miles : 9,390'). They fill up quickly, so get in early! Do it. My fianc proposed to me at the hot springs, so this place is super special to me. Once she back tracked and met up with rest of us it was gone. Clothing is optional, and expect a lively crowd. Thanks", "So worth it. 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. While the springs are the main attraction, the hike in is equally compelling. A popular locals spot, Conundrum can get busy in the summer; come in late spring or early fall for less of a crowd. 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