Located at 11,200 ft, the hot springs and surrounding campsites are subject to the conditions associated with high elevation travel. 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. Additionallya friend (hiking a little ways ahead of me) seen a mountain lion cross the trail! Dogs are also not allowed in the valley so make sure to leave your lovable pets back at home. racist or sexually-oriented language. The trail starts at 9300 feet, so be prepared for high altitude hiking. 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. We had beautiful weather. WindPrecip. Temperatures drop significantly after the sun sets. Exposure is common through water or food. Be sure to grab a permit online, get your best hiking friends together, and enjoy everything that Conundrum Hot Springs has to offer. Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and large hail could occur over the central Plains Wednesday, northeast Texas into Arkansas on Thursday, and the lower Mississippi Valley on Friday. I have hiked to this springs for 55 years. If permit holder or alternate are not present, permit is not valid, Group size may be changed up to the maximum allowable until the permit has been printed, Once permit has been printed, you cannot make changes to the permit, Permit can be printed up to 14 days prior to trip. I went on Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Start 9,800 feet. However, during the middle of the summer this is a heavily trafficked trail and will certainly be busy with people looking to enjoy the hot springs. 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. This makes for a long day trip, however, it is definitely doable if one is in reasonably good shape. We hiked from the trail head to the Conundrum Hot Springs and back to the trail head. Enjoy stories, how-to articles and reviews from our team of expert guides, certified coaches, and career outdoor professionals. Colorado weather: High winds impact Front Range, prompting red flag . Backpacking during the winter is very challenging and potentially dangerous, even for the very prepared and experienced backcountry enthusiasts. If you want to hike two 14ers at the same time, go for it and enjoy the incredible views. 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. Especially if you have already hiked from Aspen and want more of a challenge to enjoy Conundrum Hot Springs, the route from Crested Butte is filled with beautiful vegetation and abundant with wildlife. The Conundrum Creek Trail, in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, generally parallels Conundrum Creek weaving 8.5 miles and 2,500 vertical feet up the valley and through the woods and meadows to the popular Conundrum Hot Springs. 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. Summer camping in high country areas like this really exists only from early July to mid-September. If you get cold, you can always jump in the springs. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zone Map, Conundrum Hot Springs Designated Campsites, Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones, Williams Peak and Ginright (Fourmile)Timber Sale Project Area Restrictions, CPW: hunting and fishing, OHV and boat permits, No restrooms in Wilderness; see Restrictions. The final hour or so of this hike involves many small creek crossings and your feet are likely to get wet. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through 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. Read more regulations for this hike here. Once she back tracked and met up with rest of us it was gone. Sheriff Pitkin: 970-920-5300. Weather in Conundrum Hot Springs (Colorado), . And finally, be sure to pack out any trash that you have because there are no receptacles anywhere on Conundrum Creek Trail. It is 9 miles from the trail head and 12 miles from Castle Creek road. There are no toilets so nows the time to brush up on backcountry bathroom etiquette. Thus if you are camping at the hot springs for the night, the hike is nearly 8.5 miles one way. 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. Enormous aspen groves put on a gold-leaf show in the fall. The weather can change rapidly in the area. The permit holder must reserve a zone for each night of their trip. If any snow is on the ground during your planned visit, be sure to check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center for zone reports. Geneva Lake Zone Recommended Campsites, Map showing recreational areas. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Hoping to hike this beauty mid May this year. Map Information, White River
We met some wonderful people hanging out in the springs and everyone shared what they had. Time required to visit Conundrum Hot Springs: 06:00 Hrs. It is 9 miles from the trail head and 12 miles from Castle Creek road. Nine miles south from Conundrum Trailhead, the small pool is set 2,440 feet above a broad alpine valley and Conundrum Creek. Use thisMaroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zone Mapto understand which areas require overnight permits. Then soak again after you come down off the mountains. A better hike is the South Platte Trail in Denver. This zone includes: all of Conundrum Creek Valley from Silver Dollar Pond to Triangle Pass, andConundrum Hot Springs. The Forest Service hauled out a ton of garbage and feces from the trail, which is a Wilderness Area. 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. Be Truthful. We encountered only eight people the whole day. ) or https:// means you've safely
To snag a permit, you have to be well-informed and a little lucky. 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 . We started our hike at about 7:45 am. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zone Map
Air Quality Excellent. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Weather in Connundrum Hot Springs (Colorado), . 8,326 were here. Visitors and locals alike reported that during last summer, the permit system seemed to work very well. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Many experienced backpackers like to connect the trails and pick up a ride down the other side from into Crested Butte. If you get cold, you can always jump in the springs. Bring enough water or a purification system. Hoping to hike this beauty mid May this year. Emma + Joey | Adventure Photographers (@menkesinthemountains) on Instagram: "Things to think about when planning a backpacking trip: *What time of year are you going . There are three river crossings, which could be covered in snow during winter months. Instances of human-bear interactions, illegal fire rings, and trash were drastically reduced. The camping permit system, and the regulations, are in place to help protect this unique Wilderness treasure. Is the weather too cold to hike and stay overnight at the conundrum hot springs in mid-November? 97% of travelers recommend this experience. It leaves from Gothic/Crested Butte. 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. It was sunny and clear and the high temperature reached 60 degrees. You have permission to edit this article. Conundrum Hot Springs is one of Colorados most primitive spots for a soak in heated mineral water. Weather NOAA Forecast. Expect to meet people and socialize on a Conundrum Hot Springs trip. The views were incredible, with snow-capped mountains on either side of much of the trail and several lakes along the way. In Conundrum Hot Springs, Crater Lake, and Capitol Lake Zones, the permit holder and group are . A permit is required for overnight stays within theConundrum Hot Springs Zone. As of the summer of 2017, permits are necessary for overnight trips. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 55 min to complete. Wind NE 6 mph. There are 20 campsites to reserve that range in size, allowing for groups between two and six people. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Rescue group responds to several calls involving shoeless hikers in Colorado, Two popular Colorado reservoirs set opening dates for boating, New bill could provide funding for "wildfire resilient" homes in Colorado. In Conundrum Hot Springs, Crater Lake, and Capitol Lake Zones, the permit holder and group are required to camp in their reserved campsite. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Snow makes route finding difficult. Zoom in to see updated info. If you (and your group) plan to camp in a permitted zone, you will need to reserve a spot in each zone that you plan to camp. COTREX is a project by the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, It can be difficult but definitely well worth the journey into this remote wilderness. The water temperature of Conundrum Hot Springs hovers around 102 degrees. Make sure to bring a filter for water and light weight gear. To access all of the content on Yr, we recommend that you update your browser. Beverages and libations must be in a can or box, and packed out with you. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 57 min to complete. A 40 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after noon. Two others had a floating chess board and played a round with each of my sons. This trail is open all year but be warned, during the winter it will be extremely difficult to traverse. Conundrum Hot Springs Zone reserveable campsites, Permit is non-transferable. If youre as passionate about outdoor adventure as we are, then we have you covered. Listen to stories, share your own, and be respectful at all times of others experience. The trail starts at 9300 feet, so be prepared for high altitude hiking. The conundrum is one of the highest altitude hot springs located in all the United States. Wind SSW 6 mph. Conundrum Hot Springs is located on Conundrum Creek Trail just outside Aspen, Colorado within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The tiny plants turn a brilliant orange or deep red, and the alpine lake nearby is surrounded by this colorful carpet. Front wheel drive with chains will also work. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. A chance of snow showers, mainly before midnight. From early October to late June, campsites, trails, and mountain passes are snow covered and the trailheads may be inaccessible. Keep it Clean. Make a reservation beforehand to ensure that you can get one of the available campsites. The tundra above treeline puts on its own display in the fall, however. It can be a bit crowded on nice summer days but everyone is friendly. Summit 14,274 feet. RealFeel Shade 88. 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! Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock
It is strongly recommended that you always travel with a partner, as there is no cell service, and rescue from that altitude is difficult. The best time to visit the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is July through September. In all other zones, the 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. 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. Once you arrive at the hot springs . 8 miles if you start at 11,200'. The best time to visit the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is July through September. But even proper LNT practices- like burying human waste- were creating unsafe conditions. The ascent is about 2500 ft in elevation. 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. None of us found it more than moderately difficult in any part. Today 5 Mar. Please try another search. The springs are an 8.5 mile hike from the Conundrum Creek trailhead. Share sensitive information only
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This trail is a little bit longer at about 22.5 miles total. I would highly recommend budgeting an entire day to tackle this hike if you are not going to spend the night. After a valley stretch, the trail dives into dense forest that can provide some relief on sunny days. What restaurants are near Conundrum Hot Springs? If you are very ambitious, you can also hike this trail and bag two 14ers, Castle Peak and Conundrum Peak in the same hike. If there is any more issues with avalanche activity and damage to the trail, keep your eyes open for signs posted by the United States Forest Service indicating issues with the trail and any access. Take the right onto Conundrum Road and follow it until you reach the trailhead for Conundrum Creek. You can print your permit as soon as 14 days before you are set to head out on your trip. The hike is around 8.5 miles on way. . Furthermore, you will only be able to camp at the site that you have reserved. A chance of showers. The best time of year to visit Conundrum Creek Trail and Conundrum Hot Springs is from May to early October. Be sure to pack accordingly for high altitude weather during all seasons and a night of camping near the hot springs. 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. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. We brought lots of snacks/food and water so we had energy to sustain the hike (A MUST). 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Map Information Activities Hiking Around the springs are scenic views of waterfalls, flowers, snow patches, and steep avalanche chutes. The site is surrounded by 14,000-foot mountains, and are located above the tree line. If you are planning on spending the night or are an avid hiker, the route from Crested Butte / Gothic might be better for you. Recent years have brought a number of new rules and policies, including a permitting system for camping. 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