Nine miles south from Conundrum Trailhead, the small pool is set 2,440 feet above a broad alpine valley and Conundrum Creek. (970)945-2521, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteriver/recarea/?recid=81118. Make sure that you do not bring any glass containers into a wilderness area. We completed our hike six hours later. more. A couple of friends had mentioned that the trail and the hot springs are over-crowded. The hike is 17 miles round trip. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Before July, especially after a wet winter like 2018, expect to see snow in or around your campsite. The views were incredible, with snow-capped mountains on either side of much of the trail and several lakes along the way. Make sure to bring a bear bag or bear resistant container to hang or store all of your food and toiletries overnight so as not to attract bears to the campsites. The hike is 17 miles round trip. 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. Weather forecast for Connundrum 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 View all hotels near Conundrum Hot Springs on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Conundrum Hot Springs on Tripadvisor, The John Denver Sanctuary: Tickets & Tours, Town 2 Mountain Express: Tickets & Tours, Montmartre and Sacre Coeur Walking Tour in Paris, Unlimited WiFi Router Hotspot Naha (Okinawa) Airport 4G LTE plus Free Power Bank, Kandy to Ella train ride on (Train No: 1015 "Udarata Menike"), MJ Live at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino, Capri Private Boat Tour from Positano or Praiano or Amalfi. It was sunny and clear and the high temperature reached 60 degrees. During the fall colors season, mid-September to early October depending on the year, backpackers experience the floor to ceiling gold of Colorados aspen groves. Assuming you dont mind the 8.5-mile trail and 2,400-foot elevation gain on approach. These permits are nontransferable and the permit holder or alternate holder must have their ID on them in order for the permit to be valid. The Conundrum Hot Springs were well within the acceptable range. The water temperature of Conundrum Hot Springs hovers around 102 degrees. Permits are required year-round, but the best time to visit the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is July through September. We saw no other people during the rest of the hike. I must admit it was scary at dusk with nobody else on the trail after she seen that, she about crapped her pants. Plan accordingly by bringing plenty of water, food, and extra clothing that might be needed after soaking in the hot springs. After storms, it becomes a "valley of death" in which avalanches regularly sweep . Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones. Avalanche hazards exist in the mountains. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Any how long is the hike and is it good to hike at this time of the year? Dogs are also not allowed in the valley so make sure to leave your lovable pets back at home. 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. The water temperature of Conundrum Hot Springs hovers around 102 degrees. There is parking at Conundrum Creek Trailhead. Mostly cloudy More Details. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. She can be reached at www.roaringforkwriter.com, Campers, have you tried mushroom hunting? There are a variety of other hot springs nearby Conundrum Creek Hot Springs. Be Nice. One of the students played guitar and sang. Permits are available atrecreation.gov. Thus if you are camping at the hot springs for the night, the hike is nearly 8.5 miles one way. RealFeel Shade 72. The pool fed by the main hot spring is in a meadow surrounded by mountains. During this peak season, the snow is (mostly) gone, the temperatures are milder, and the wildflowers appear. The best time of year to visit Conundrum Creek Trail and Conundrum Hot Springs is from May to early October. We were on a such a time crunch and should have prepared better. Be sure to pack accordingly for high altitude weather during all seasons and a night of camping near the hot springs. See section below for more. They were respectful yet unbashful. Expect to meet people and socialize on a Conundrum Hot Springs trip. A post shared by Fitt Denver (@fittdenverco). Use thisMaroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zone Mapto understand which areas require overnight permits. 8 miles if you start at 11,200'. If you have a certain date in mind, or want to get up there on a weekend, you need to have a Recreation.gov account and be ready to make a reservation almost immediately on the following days: If you just want to hike up for the day, you do not need to make reservations, but you must be on the trail, heading down before sunset. The trail starts at 9300 feet, so be prepared for high altitude hiking. The snow will be very deep and proper equipment such as down jackets, enough water, and snowshoes are a must. 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. We hiked from the trail head to the Conundrum Hot Springs and back to the trail head. Make sure you bring good hiking shoes, sandals for the river crossing and for the hot springs, swimsuit, towel, etc. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. I would have been uncomfortable had my daughter been with us. Temperatures drop significantly after the sun sets. Campfires also sterilize the soil and scar the beautiful landscape. So rewarding to say I did this, in one day, super pregnant. Share sensitive information only If you plan to start your trip at the Maroon Scenic Area, you will need to reserve a parking or bus reservation. It was my younger son's first hike of this length. The Tampa Bay area is at least 5 inches below its typical 30-year rainfall averages. Wind SSW 6 mph. They explained to us that nudity in these hot springs is a Conundrum tradition. There are 16 crossings of the creek along the trail. . This creek crossing can be hazardous, especially during spring runoffs. During this break we met two women from New Mexico who were descending and who had camped out near the hot springs overnight. Enjoy stories, how-to articles and reviews from our team of expert guides, certified coaches, and career outdoor professionals. Summer camping in high country areas like this really exists only from early July to mid-September. A water filtration system is necessary, and it is important to drink more than two liters every day. If youre as passionate about outdoor adventure as we are, then we have you covered. Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. You cannot camp overnight without one. There were wildflowers and the aspens even started to change. If you want to hike both peaks and have enough time to enjoy the hot springs, I would recommend budgeting a day and a half to complete the hike. Please select one of the following: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. and follow the rules. Fantastic but grueling two-day hike to Conundrum Hot Springs with my wife and a few other middle-aged couples. Conundrum Hot Springs Address: Aspen, Colorado, United States. 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 views were incredible, with snow-capped mountains on either side of much of the trail and several lakes along the way. The hike proved difficult for our aging group as we took nine hours to reach the hot springs. Bear canisters are required for all backpackers in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Listen to stories, share your own, and be respectful at all times of others experience. -10 / -12 0 mm 5 m/s Open hourly forecast Monday 6 Mar. 2022 Best Places to Camp: Top 10 in the U.S. Start 9,800 feet. . Bring a wag bag or three, depending on the number of nights you plan to stay, and follow all the proper directions for disposing of those. What restaurants are near Conundrum Hot Springs? Remember that there is a ban on both dogs and campfires throughout the year as well. 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. Thankfully there is no fee for parking or overnight parking. 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. Take a look at this USFS map to see exactly where all the campsites are located in relation to Conundrum Creek Trail and the hot springs in the creek. The Elk Mountains tower over bathers at . The views were incredible, with snow-capped mountains on either side of much of the trail and several lakes along the way. There is one large pool and a few smaller ones, but with up to 30 people camping there every night, expect to have some company. The hike back down to the parking lot took about 3.5 hours. If you drive 1/2 mile west of Aspen down Highway 82 you'll reach a roundabout where you'll turn right on to Castle Creek Road. Today 5 Mar. This Wilderness is located inColorado within the Elk Mountains and spans the White River and Gunnison National Forests. 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. United States government. Current Weather. See review above for travel at this time of year. Cameron Bailey is a writer and musician currently living in Evanston, IL. There are only 20 campsites at Conundrum Creek Hot Springs so check for a reservation at this website. The hike to Conundrum Hot Springs just about 18 miles round trip. 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. This makes for a long day trip, however, it is definitely doable if one is in reasonably good shape. Some of them have large rocks or Boulders in which to step. It is 9 miles from the trail head and 12 miles from Castle Creek road. Partly sunny More Details. After hiking through aspens, pine and fir, you get to camp near treeline. How is hiking to Conundrum hot springs at the very end of May through the first week of June? PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. The trip to the Springs may seem like a long, somewhat treacherous one, but soaking in the waters of this paradise pool is something that everyone should try at . After a valley stretch, the trail dives into dense forest that can provide some relief on sunny days. Safe lightning travel recommendations involve being back below treeline by noon, or 2 PM at the latest, and using the lightning position if no dense, uniform cover is available. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism A camping permit is required year-round and must be acquired in advance. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. The hot spring complex contains two main pools and four smaller springs with a combined approximate discharge of 130 GPM, and max avg. I and my sons, 16 and 14, made a day trip along the Conundrum Creek Trail outside of Aspen. If you are planning on spending the night or are an avid hiker, the route from Crested Butte / Gothic might be better for you. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. When is it safe to go on the trail? There are several excellent day hikes available from the campsites at Conundrum Hot Springs. After an early morning dip in the hot springs, we began our decent. There's a parking lot another 1 mile down, which where the trail begins to take you 8.5 miles to Conundrum Hot Springs. but go early morn as some folks camp there for the evening and. It took us 4 hours and 25 minutes to reach the hot springs. Be prepared for this if you are making a day trip. I went once in mid june time frame. The ascent is about 2500 ft in elevation. Additionallya friend (hiking a little ways ahead of me) seen a mountain lion cross the trail! The Hot Springs are at an elevation of 11,200 feet from the Sea-level due to their location amid the Rocky Mountain Ranges. Map Information, White River The final hour or so of this hike involves many small creek crossings and your feet are likely to get wet. and reservations. Conundrum Hot Springs - Aspen, CO. Photo: 12 Incredible Colorado Hot Springs Where You Can Camp. A chance of snow showers. This was not the case at all on our day there. It is really a WILDERMESS. This zone includes: all of Conundrum Creek Valley from Silver Dollar Pond to Triangle Pass, andConundrum Hot Springs. There are no toilets so nows the time to brush up on backcountry bathroom etiquette. A typical June of July day will see 200 hikers and 75 cars parked at the trailhead. There are a limited number of parking spaces available so you may need to reserve a bus ticket. I did this hike (on a whim) super pregnant in one dayand I shouldn't have. It is strongly recommended that you always travel with a partner, as there is no cell service, and rescue from that altitude is difficult. Id recommend going sometime in June when it will still be slightly colder at those higher elevations but the hot spring will be a welcome way to ward off the cold. NWS This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. This trail is open all year but be warned, during the winter it will be extremely difficult to traverse. the Forest Service Rangers come up there often. 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). 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Conundrum Hot Springs: The Conundrum Creek Trail generally parallels Conundrum Creek weaving its way up the valley through the woods and meadows to three river crossings before the hot springs. Lindsay DeFrates is a freelance writer, mother of three, whitewater raft guide, as well as a former English teacher and Outward Bound instructor. There is one main hot springs pool that fits about 15 people and is about 102 degrees. The trail starts at 9300 feet, so be prepared for high altitude hiking. Be prepared for temperature to drop well below freezing at night during this season. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Current Weather. There is camping at Conundrum Hot Springs with 20 different sites available each night. We started our hike at about 7:45 am. The clothing you pack must provide warmth to freezing temps and protection from these storms, including rain pants and jacket. ( Read More >, Local Forecast OfficeMore Local Wx3 Day HistoryMobile WeatherHourly Weather Forecast, Breezy.Mostly Cloudythen SlightChance SnowShowers, Slight ChanceSnow Showersthen MostlyCloudy, Zone Area Forecast for Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys, CO. 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. 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. Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches have been issued. The natural infinity pools offer warm, relaxing waters, as well as some of the most incredible views you have ever encountered. 3,350 feet if you start at 11,200'. A broad alpine valley and Conundrum Hot Springs Address: Aspen, CO. Photo: 12 Colorado... 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