Dispersed backcountry camping is permitted in the, Camping is prohibited within 100' of any trail, lake or stream. Jordan Kahana (30), who is, Here at Lonely Planet, we're passionate about travel. Best time to visit Conundrum Hot Springs (preferred time): 08:00 am - 10:00 am. The water temperature in the large soaking pool is approximately 98F/36.5C. We then dried off in the sun on the rocks surrounding the main spring and ate our lunch. It was sunny and clear and the high temperature reached 60 degrees. Late spring to mid-fall is thought of as optimal times to visit once winter snow has melted away. We spend our days thinking about the best places to go, and quite often, wishing we were there. With diverse terrain, outstanding landscapes and well-maintained trails, hiking in the US is a joy. 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. If youre looking for hot springs near Gunninson, CO, then youre in luck! First, be prepared for the altitude the high elevation can cause altitude sickness, so take it slow and stay hydrated. We also went on a sat afternoon during leaf peeping so I guess its expected. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. First time backpacking, I have a permit for 6 people for camping on Wednesday, September 28th, 2022. We spent about 1.5 hours in the pool. It is 9 miles from the trail head and 12 miles from Castle Creek road. Thanks", "So worth it. Colorado is a soakers paradise with countless natural hot springs dotting the Rocky Mountain landscape. The hot spring complex contains two main pools and four smaller springs with a combined approximate discharge of 130 GPM, andmax avg. 100% of travellers recommend this experience. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The Conundrum Creek Trail sees heavy traffic throughout the summer, especially on weekends. Rules - especially campsite location, food storage, dog restrictions and fire restrictions - are strictly enforced. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. After turning onto Conundrum Creek Road, follow the dirt road for about half a mile until you reach ample parking. The pools are circles of piled-up river rocks, designed to capture a mixture of river water and scalding mineral water that bubbles up from springs along the bank. I got a permit for July 28-30 2023 for 4 people at site 14. How to get to Piedra River Hot Springs: Drive 20 miles west of Pagosa Springs on Highway 160 (or 40 miles east from Durango). gilmercr@g.cofc.edu. nice and hot, beautiful, and cleaner than I anticipated. Time required to visit Conundrum Hot Springs: 06:00 Hrs. The pools will be at their deepest and the warm water feels great after a day spent hiking in brisk mountain air. It took us 4 hours and 25 minutes to reach the hot springs. We had an absolute blast backpacking up the these springs. 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 The hot spring complex contains two main pools and four smaller springs with a combined approximate discharge of 130 GPM, and max avg. Arriving by car is a cinch youll see the resort from the highway. The first two on our way up were a lovely a couple in their 70's from Novia Scotia who were also ascending. 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. They are located at an elevation of 11,200 feet, making them some of the highest hot springs in the country. Drive exactly 5 miles up Castle Creek then turn right onto Conundrum Road. Thanks so much for any insight! After a long day of hiking, theres nothing better than setting up camp under the stars. Comments. A couple of friends had mentioned that the trail and the hot springs are over-crowded. [6] Conundrum hot springs are the among the highest in altitude in the United States. Additionallya friend (hiking a little ways ahead of me) seen a mountain lion cross the trail! Ive never hiked an 18 mile before but it was absolutely worth it. The maximum length of stay from June 1-September 1 is three nights. Campfires are not permitted above or within .25 miles (440 yards) of treeline, or within 100' of any trail, lake or stream. The lower pool is cooler with temperatures around 80 degrees. Aspen and willow produce brilliant autumn colors, and thimbleberries and raspberries are particularly abundant along the first three miles. Does anyone want to trade for the day before on Tuesday, September 27th? This pool is far smaller than the upper pool and can really only hold about 4 adults. 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. Beautiful and enjoyable hike. Conundrum Hot Springs (Aspen) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Fishing is permitted along Conundrum Creek with a valid Colorado fishing license. 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. 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. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Let all do better so these beautiful places can stay as pristine as possible. Clearly the temperature has declined substantially. We encountered only eight people the whole day. 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 get water from the main creek that has many easy access points. We had great conversation. [5] The hot spring water is channeled into two main soaking pools via a hand-built rock-lined waterway. The water is air cooled while flowing through the rock-lined channels before reaching the soaking pools.[6][2]. I didn't boil water, just used a Sawyer filter. We started our hike at about 7:45 am. A typical June of July day will see 200 hikers and 75 cars parked at the trailhead. We met some wonderful people hanging out in the springs and everyone shared what they had. You will need to book a campsite and permit in advance. The hike is 17 miles round trip. The most important part though is make sure you have comfortable shoes and dry socks as it is very easy to get blisters. Thanks so much for any insight! Our spontaneous naked soak with strangers-turned-new friends wound up being a bonding experience and a highlight of the hike for my sons. The trip was beyond amazing and beautiful. It steepens away in a cluttered forest to a sign on the hot springs perimeter (8.15 miles : 10,965'). more. They were respectful yet unbashful. All rights reserved. We then dried off in the sun on the rocks surrounding the main spring and ate our lunch. We all get caught short sometimes and its gross to have to carry it out but with a little planning, and plenty of hand sanitizer, it can be manageable. 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. A 4 wheel drive vehicle will be required to get to the trailhead this time of year. Camping is not permitted elsewhere in this same area. Add to that temperate mineral waters, poolside cabanas and an on-site restaurant, and Glenwood is a ready-made day trip with the kids or an impromptu weekend getaway. We completed our hike six hours later. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. 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. Where will you go next? The springs are an 8.5 mile hike from the Conundrum Creek trailhead. "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. So much fun and so worth it. for mother natures sake pack out your TP/cleansing wipes. 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. [6], The hot mineral water emerges from the ground at 122F. There are several campsites just before this sign along the creek where fires are still permitted. What wasnt fun was the people that were camping in our permit spot without a permit that we had to share with and their lack of bear canisters and Subway wraps scattered about. -10 / -12 0 mm 5 m/s Open hourly forecast Monday 6 Mar. Is the weather too cold to hike and stay overnight at the conundrum hot springs in mid-November? The trail skirts marshy ponds to a marked creek ford back to the west side (6.55 miles : 10,320'). The views were incredible, with snow-capped mountains on either side of much of the trail and several lakes along the way. WindPrecip. Conundrum Creek Trail to Conundrum Hot Springs, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteriver/recreation/recarea/?recid=40495&actid=24. The pool fed by the main hot spring is in a meadow surrounded by mountains. 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 . They attended a local community college and had camped out the night before. The bridge is elevated and narrow - consider crossing in the water if slick or carrying a heavy pack. I am no longer able to use it and am releasing it. Hi- my friend and I are looking to see the fall foliage, and potentially have an awesome story about picking up a permit from someone OR sharing a site. During this break we met two women from New Mexico who were descending and who had camped out near the hot springs overnight. We started our hike at about 7:45 am. Keep all of this in mind when planning your trip. But the views at the top were worth it. temperature of ~100 degrees F (each pool varies). Map updates are paused. If youre lucky, you may spot a moose, deer or even a bear so be sure to pack some bear spray. It is 9 miles from the trail head and 12 miles from Castle Creek road. This adds a one mile+ walk to the trailhead. I secured a permit for this hike for a few days & are beyond stoked to be going back. how long is the hike and is it good to hike at this time of the year? Just remember, youre sharing this natural wonder with others, so be respectful and enjoy the experience together. From the invigorating hike through the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness to the soothing soak in the natural hot springs, youre sure to leave with a renewed appreciation for the beauty and wonder of Colorados great outdoors. A 4 wheel drive vehicle will be required to get to the trailhead this time of year. TP doesnt decompose the way we all assume and trying to hide it under a rock isnt a solution. One of the students played guitar and sang. If occupied, there are many sites down valley (and still very close). . The trail follows Conundrum Creek from the trail head to the hot springs. I must admit it was scary at dusk with nobody else on the trail after she seen that, she about crapped her pants. (You also may enjoy the privacy and quiet of campsites away from the springs - they can get quite 'lively'!) They fill up quickly, so get in early! Read our Privacy Policy. Consider camping down-valley, where sites have more space between them. There is no camping allowed at the springs. Looking for an accurate conditions report! The springs were absolutely beautiful. Be prepared for much more. - 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. Arrive early to secure a space. Accessibility: The trailhead for the Conundrum Creek Trail is so close to Aspen. The view was spectacular. It was sunny and clear and the high temperature reached 60 degrees. The springs also serve as a first stop on longer routes to Crested Butte, Copper Basin and East Maroon Pass. Enjoy! The views were incredible, with snow-capped mountains on either side of much of the trail and several lakes along the way. Though the water can come out of the ground as hot as 120 degrees Fahrenheit, the average temperature of the pools clocks in at about 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The Hot Springs is full of bacteria, and users deficate anywhere they feel like it. For more detail, click on each individual thumbnail below and youll be taken to our reviews of each location. Butte, Copper Basin and East Maroon Pass the altitude the high temperature reached degrees... Trail, lake or stream on each individual thumbnail below and youll be taken to our reviews of location! To use it and am releasing it respectful and enjoy the experience.! 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