We started our hike at about 7:45 am. 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. The site of a defunct mill, that once supplied marble for the construction of the Lincoln Memorial. Early means, late winter, early spring (if you are looking to do this in the summer). Not sure if some of the hot spring water could have gotten in our wine bottle because it was raining, or if it was from the streams. Heres a round-up of our favorites. Box 948 Glenwood Springs CO 81602 970.945.2521 | 970.319.2670. Prepare and stay the night! I believe it was 8 or 9 miles in and it is a trek with all your gear. After sunset, the hot springs are adult-only and clothing-optional; theres little light which makes for spectacular stargazing (bring a headlamp to get around!). A person is limited to two permits in a calendar year. Some of them have large rocks or Boulders in which to step. They vary in size and depth, with temperatures ranging from 100F to 140F, depending on the season and overflow of river water. There is a seven night maximum stay the rest of the year. 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. They were respectful yet unbashful. 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. Bring enough water or a purification system. Offer subject to change without notice. The springs are an 8.5 mile hike from the Conundrum Creek trailhead. Things you need to know to have a great time in Colorado. The larger soaking pools can fit ten or more people. The springs are located in a scenic setting, with views of mountains, avalanche chutes and waterfalls. A side note: The students in the pool fed by the main hot spring were all completely naked. You can get water from the main creek that has many easy access points. Amid lush greenery, a man-made channel peppered with graffiti that dates back to 1881. I do hikenormally with gear! Conundrumdraws thousands each summer, most who camp in the immediate vicinity. Before setting off on this unforgettable adventure, there are a few crucial details to keep in mind. The weather can change rapidly in the area. There were wildflowers and the aspens even started to change. Looking for an accurate conditions report! A couple of friends had mentioned that the trail and the hot springs are over-crowded. 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 One of the students played guitar and sang. The place that remained unexplored till 1891, is now frequently visited, especially by cruisers. 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, Vespa Scooter Tour "Off the beaten path Local Villages " 3-hour scooter tour, 15 Days - Johannesburg, Kruger National Park and Cape Town Tour, Siliguri City Tour Isckon Temple , Water park, Gajal Doba, (70Km) with car, 3-Hour Bruny Island Cruise from Adventure Bay, Bruny Island, Jaipur Full Day City Tour visit Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort & City Palace, Haridwar Rishikesh Tour Package 3 Night 4 Days, Private Transfer from Seletar Airport (XSP) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). It was sunny and clear and the high temperature reached 60 degrees. Will it be ok or plan on bringing snow gear? Campsites near Conundrum Hot Springs are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to arrive early to secure your spot. Beautiful! So, strap on your hiking boots, grab your backpack, and join us as we venture into the heart of Aspens beautiful backcountry. It is really a WILDERMESS. Today 5 Mar. Let's talk about Hot Springs. Looking forward to round two. Directions from Aspen: Drive 1/2 mile west of Aspen on Highway 82. The trail skirts marshy ponds to a marked creek ford back to the west side (6.55 miles : 10,320'). 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 ? See. It also was packed with about 30 other fellow backpackers (also fun). With diverse terrain, outstanding landscapes and well-maintained trails, hiking in the US is a joy. What hotels are near Conundrum Hot Springs? Enjoy! Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. The Conundrum Creek Trail then winds for 8.5 miles through the pristine wilderness, crossing well-constructed wooden bridges and navigating challenging creek crossings. For extra indulgence, book a spa treatment or head to the smaller, hotter and quieter pool with hydrotherapy loungers and power showers. You have to take an 18-mile round-trip trek to reach this slime hole. The trail hops a creek braid and opens past spurs for designated sites to the split for Triangle Pass. A favorite amongst locals and visitors alike, this natural wonder presents a unique and unforgettable experience for anyone willing to brave the journey. - 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. While the springs are the main attraction, the hike in is equally compelling. Cortez Municipal Airport is the closest airport, about 50 miles away, while the larger Durango-La Plata County Airport is 90 miles away. Gray wolves were hunted and trapped to extinction in the 1940s, resulting in the ecosystem becoming out of balance. Layer upnice and warm during the day but gets pretty cold at night. 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. Some of them have large rocks or Boulders in which to step. First, be prepared for the altitude the high elevation can cause altitude sickness, so take it slow and stay hydrated. I have an extra permit for 10/29 Best time to visit Conundrum Hot Springs (preferred time): 08:00 am - 10:00 am. Map updates are paused. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. Is the weather too cold to hike and stay overnight at the conundrum hot springs in mid-November? Bring enough water or a purification system. Note young aspen and fireweed on these steeper slopes, which indicate a recent disturbance that renewed the natural forest cycle. When to Visit Conundrum Hot Springs Summer camping in high country areas like this really exists only from early July to mid-September. It lookes like we were in Hobbit land. more. How to road trip the Rocky Mountains on a budget. One of the students played guitar and sang. All rights reserved. I know it all depends on how weather is each year at that time, but any ideas and info are still appreciated. It was a full moon taboot so there were some drunk folks talking about lady gaga but I still loved every moment of it even if I wish they would've been more quiet and lesa drunk. We are planning to do conundrum hot spring hike as a day hike. The hike there is tough but doable: 8.5 miles each way, with a punishing 2400-foot elevation gain, passing through aspen groves and mountain meadows, and winding over creeks and past waterfalls. The ascent is about 2500 ft in elevation. We hiked the first half of the ascent with them before stopping for a snack. Anticipate the turnoff, and be considerate of cyclists sharing the road. nice and hot, beautiful, and cleaner than I anticipated. Beautiful trail but quite snowy and cold on Tuesday (in the teens). We saw no other people during the rest of the hike. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 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. Allison not sure how to message you but Im interested in the permit! Trip Reports "Conundrum Hot Springs - Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness", "Conundrum Hot Springs Permit Zone Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness", "Conundrum Hot Springs Has A Poop Problem, So You May Have To Bag Your Business", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Conundrum_Hot_Springs&oldid=1144495500, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Wilderness area of White River National Forest, This page was last edited on 14 March 2023, at 01:47. With miles of picturesque trails to explore, there are plenty of opportunities for hiking, wildlife spotting, and taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Dogs must be leashed at all times in the Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness. The Conundrum Creek Trail continues 2 miles and 1700' up to Triangle Pass. It was sunny and clear and the high temperature reached 60 degrees. Our spontaneous naked soak with strangers-turned-new friends wound up being a bonding experience and a highlight of the hike for my sons. Weather in Conundrum Hot Springs (Colorado), . 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. Its a 3.5-hour drive from Denver. 98% of travellers recommend this experience. We had a permit to camp Saturday night and when we got to the trailhead it was PACKED. I would have been uncomfortable had my daughter been with us. 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. The trail follows Conundrum Creek from the trail head to the hot springs. Alternatively, take the train from Denver; it takes longer but the Rocky Mountain views are epic. Conundrum Hot Springs, Aspen: See 25 reviews, articles, and 16 photos of Conundrum Hot Springs, ranked No.34 on Tripadvisor among 77 attractions in Aspen. You can contact me and 5024180403 and thank you so much in advance! A typical June of July day will see 200 hikers and 75 cars parked at the trailhead. Thank you for stopping by. Reservations required. There's one large pool and one small pool in the main area where most people congregate. The warm spring can only be reached by boat or a floatplane from Sitka. It starts to become rocky and a little unstable after that, but still not too terrible. We brought lots of snacks/food and water so we had energy to sustain the hike (A MUST). the Forest Service Rangers come up there often. 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. There are 16 crossings of the creek along the trail. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. They fill up quickly, so get in early! The Conundrum Creek Trailhead is seven miles from town, off Country Road 15B. Lastly, practice Leave No Trace principles, like packing out poop bags and leaving the wilderness better than you found it. The water temperature of Conundrum Hot Springs hovers around 102 degrees. Formed in existing craters or rocks through years of visitation, the Conundrum Hot Springs offer therapeutic soaking in a natural environment. The first seven miles were a breeze hiking in, but the last two miles get steep and with a 30 lb pack it was almost unbearable. [1][2][3][4] For faster navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for Conundrum Hot Springs . Be mindful of moose and bears in the area. Marvelous views such as snow patches and avalanche chutes can be seen around the scenic waters, flowers and waterfalls as you bathe. We had great conversation. 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. The trail starts at 9300 feet, so be prepared for high altitude hiking. The views were incredible, with snow-capped mountains on either side of much of the trail and several lakes along the way. The 6 best hikes in Colorado for Rocky Mountain adventures. pls message 9177550418, Cancelled a permit Site 18, 6 people, 10/5-10/6. The other couple bailed, so we'd be happy to give up their spot :). Remember to choose a flat spot at least 100 feet from the water and use a bear-resistant container to store your food. For sure on the easier side. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. A brightly colored natural bridge formed by mineral-rich hot springs high up in the Andes. Be mindful of private property on the trailhead access road - cars will be ticketed and/or towed. If you have more than one night, it might be best to camp a few miles before the springs and day hike to them and back to your site. Clearly the temperature has declined substantially. Two others had a floating chess board and played a round with each of my sons. The views were incredible, with snow-capped mountains on either side of much of the trail and several lakes along the way. Consider post-Labor Travel for lighter crowds. An RV campervan gets you to the heart of the US national parks. My fianc proposed to me at the hot springs, so this place is super special to me. Despite being one of the most photographed vistas in the Rockies these twin peaks are rightfully known as the "Deadly Bells.". As of the summer of 2017, permits are necessary for overnight trips. for mother natures sake pack out your TP/cleansing wipes. We also went on a sat afternoon during leaf peeping so I guess its expected. This makes for a long day trip, however, it is definitely doable if one is in reasonably good shape. Alternatively, take a door-to-door shuttle from town. Wondering if anyone who has a Tuesday and Wednesday reservation in October would want to trade for this earlier two night trip? She hopes that her blog will inspire others to explore the world and enjoy the beauty of nature. The temperature averages 100 F, however, the smaller pools tend to be a little cooler. It took us 4 hours and 25 minutes to reach the hot springs. 18 out of 20 backpacking spots were vacant (please cancel your permits! Thanks in advance. Do it. [7] Dogs are not allowed within 2.5 miles of the hot spring site, and all waste, including feces must be packed out. 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