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. A post shared by Fitt Denver (@fittdenverco). You cannot camp overnight without one. Is the weather too cold to hike and stay overnight at the conundrum hot springs in mid-November? 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. You will receive a link in your confirmation email to reserve parking or bus transportation. Remember, youll need to bring a bear canister or Ursack. It can be difficult but definitely well worth the journey into this remote wilderness. Plan accordingly by bringing plenty of water, food, and extra clothing that might be needed after soaking in the hot springs. If you plan on camping back here to get to Conundrum Hot Springs, then you'll need to get a permit online before you go. Fantastic but grueling two-day hike to Conundrum Hot Springs with my wife and a few other middle-aged couples. 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. racist or sexually-oriented language. The ascent is about 2500 ft in . There's a parking lot another 1 mile down, which where the trail begins to take you 8.5 miles to Conundrum Hot Springs. However, all of those are relatively minor points; the major one being that the Condundrum Creek valley is one of the most heavily avalanched areas in Colorado, with the summer trail crossing at least half a dozen major slide paths on its traverse above the creek. Permits are required year-round, but the best time to visit the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is July through September. It was sunny and clear and the high temperature reached 60 degrees. I went on Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Front wheel drive with chains will also work. With the extra time spent at the hot springs, you could easily be on the trail for over 10 hours. Permits are available atrecreation.gov. Id recommend not attempting this trail in the winter unless you absolutely know what youre doing and have complete confidence in your abilities. Be prepared for temperature to drop well below freezing at night during this season. Current Weather. With all that being said, it was completely worth it! From early October to late June campsites, trails, and mountain passes are snow covered and the trailheads may be inaccessible. Summer camping in high country areas like this really exists only from early July to mid-September. I and my sons, 16 and 14, made a day trip along the Conundrum Creek Trail outside of Aspen. Visitors and locals alike reported that during last summer, the permit system seemed to work very well. Mostly cloudy More Details. Map Information, White River Conundrum Hot Springs, Conundrum Creek Trail #1981 It goes from Copper Creek to Triangle Pass down to Conundrum Hot Springs. For the prepared backpacker, Conundrum Hot Springs offers a perfect balance of hiking, relaxation, and world-class views. Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. During this peak season, the snow is (mostly) gone, the temperatures are milder, and the wildflowers appear. These storms can appear quickly, and often involve cloud to ground lightning and intense bouts of precipitation. Signup today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. Enjoy stories, how-to articles and reviews from our team of expert guides, certified coaches, and career outdoor professionals. 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. Prepare and stay the night! The springs are located above most of the campsites and are easy to find. Now that this permit system has been in place for years, the pristine wilderness area has largely returned. Conundrum Hot Springs Designated Campsites Our spontaneous naked soak with strangers-turned-new friends wound up being a bonding experience and a highlight of the hike for my sons. Crater Lake Zone Designated Campsites It took us 4 hours and 25 minutes to reach the hot springs. United States. Make sure you bring good hiking shoes, sandals for the river crossing and for the hot springs, swimsuit, towel, etc. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. We started our hike at about 7:45 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. Read more regulations for this hike here. It is 9 miles from the trail head and 12 miles from Castle Creek road. Although it is less distance, it is also much less elevation gain and will be easier on the legs. The trail follows Conundrum Creek from the trail head to the hot springs. Instances of human-bear interactions, illegal fire rings, and trash were drastically reduced. 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. Editors Note: Check local conditions prior to planning your trip. the Forest Service Rangers come up there often. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 55 min to complete. TAMPA, Fla. - With wildfire season off to a hot and early start, Monday's overnight rainfall in Tampa Bay is a welcome sight, but it is not nearly enough. Even spending such a short time at the top it was dark by the time we got back. Is the weather too cold to hike and stay overnight at the conundrum hot springs in mid-November? A couple of friends had mentioned that the trail and the hot springs are over-crowded. Map updates are paused. 3,350 feet if you start at 11,200'. Backpackers are more susceptible to altitude sickness up there, and need to be aware of the symptoms of more serious complications. The trail crosses Conundrum Creek three times before the hot springs.The first crossing at 2.5 miles and the second at 6 miles are spanned by primitive log bridges. Conundrum Hot Springs is located on Conundrum Creek Trail just outside Aspen, Colorado within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. I secured a permit for this hike for a few days & are beyond stoked to be going back. She can be reached at www.roaringforkwriter.com, Campers, have you tried mushroom hunting? Camping is not allowed within a quarter mile of the trail, but this is abused. 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. This zone includes: all of Conundrum Creek Valley from Silver Dollar Pond to Triangle Pass, andConundrum Hot Springs. The views were incredible, with snow-capped mountains on either side of much of the trail and several lakes along the way. You must bury your waste up to 200 feet from water, campsites, and trails. Be wary of thin ice and soft snow near water sources. We hiked from the trail head to the Conundrum Hot Springs and back to the trail head. Use this Overnight Permit Zone Map to understand which zones in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness require a permit. I would have been uncomfortable had my daughter been with us. Permit holders may cancel their permit up to 2 days before their trip and recieve a full refund (minus the $6 reservation fee). I didn't boil water, just used a Sawyer filter. I and my sons, 16 and 14, made a day trip along the Conundrum Creek Trail outside of Aspen. This temperature is perfect for soaking and it makes this one of the best hot springs in Colorado. A chance of showers. Advance reservation permits are required for overnight stays in the Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones. During this break we met two women from New Mexico who were descending and who had camped out near the hot springs overnight. But even proper LNT practices- like burying human waste- were creating unsafe conditions. The steaming, 103-degree water provides a soothing oasis amidst the rugged wilderness, and the alpine pool's edge overlooks an awe-inspiring deep gorge. The final hour or so of this hike involves many small creek crossings and your feet are likely to get wet. I went once in mid june time frame. We met some wonderful people hanging out in the springs and everyone shared what they had. Wind SSW 6 mph. A chance of snow showers, mainly before midnight. 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. As the numbers go up, you will be a bit farther from the actual hot springs themselves. 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). It will be busy during the middle of summer and on holidays. Recreation.gov! Two 14ers, Castle and Conundrum and a 13er, Castlebra. 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. Spencer McKee Director of Content and Operations It looks like you're using an old browser. Conundrum Hot Springs - 17.0 Miles Round-Trip The Conundrum Hot Springs are located 8.5 miles from Conundrum Creek Trailhead off Castle Creek Road in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. 17, 2017, 10:00 am. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches have been issued. A couple of friends had mentioned that the trail and the hot springs are over-crowded. If any snow is on the ground during your planned visit, be sure to check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center for zone reports. My friend and I were worried about the parking situation (because we heard it is a highly trafficked area) so we arrived at the trailhead around 5:50am. You can print your permit as soon as 14 days before you are set to head out on your trip. When is it safe to go on the trail? Take in the views of the 14er Castle Peak, and nearby Cathedral Peak from this hike. It is strongly recommended that you always travel with a partner, as there is no cell service, and rescue from that altitude is difficult. and follow the rules. This makes for a long day trip, however, it is definitely doable if one is in reasonably good shape. The hike is 17 miles round trip. 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 . It looks like JavaScript is disabled in your browser. They were respectful yet unbashful. RealFeel Shade 72. For all of the above reasons, Conundrum Hot Springs has been thronged by an average of 50 people a day. The elevation gain can easily induce altitude sickness so make sure you go slowly and drink plenty of water. Sheriff Pitkin: 970-920-5300. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. I heard from a couple that got there at 8:30am that there were no more parking spots. They attended a local community college and had camped out the night before. We started our hike at about 7:45 am. You will know you are in the right place when you have to cross a bridge over Castle Creek as soon as you turn right onto Conundrum Road. Avalanches are a possibility, especially toward the afternoon. A chance of snow showers. 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. Weather in Connundrum Hot Springs (Colorado), . There are quite a few private drives on Conundrum Road so be careful not to turn down one of these. The best time to visit the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is July through September. There were about 5-10 spots available at this time and not a soul in sight. The Wilderness area surroundsthe extremely popularMaroon Bells Scenic Areawhich is a major access point for Wilderness travel. The Forest Service implemented a strict permit system for overnight visitors to dramatically decrease the impact to the wilderness area. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, If you leave Aspen westbound on Highway 82, take Maroon Lake Road west for a very short time until you can head south onto Castle Creek Road. They explained to us that nudity in these hot springs is a Conundrum tradition. The temperature averages 100 F, however, the smaller pools tend to be a little cooler. We were on a such a time crunch and should have prepared better. 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. Supervisor's Office We then dried off in the sun on the rocks surrounding the main spring and ate our lunch. Though it requires a long and strenuous journey, a winter hike to Conundrum Hot Springs allows for a more intimate experience compared to treks made during the summer amid notorious crowding. and follow the rules. This hike has spectacular views from beginning to end! The Forest Service implemented a strict permit system for overnight visitors to dramatically decrease the impact to the wilderness area. The permit holder must reserve a zone for each night of their trip. The hot springs are located approximately 5 hours from Aspen by car. Expect to meet people and socialize on a Conundrum Hot Springs trip. It was sunny and clear and the high temperature reached 60 degrees. 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. No parking is allowed on Conundrum Road outside of the trailhead because it is very narrow and goes over private property. . Formed in existing craters or rocks through years of visitation, the Conundrum Hot Springs offer therapeutic soaking in a natural environment. There is one main hot springs pool that fits about 15 people and is about 102 degrees. New reservation is subject to availability. 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. In fact, the personalities and conversations are often the highlight of the trip as long as you go without the expectation of solitude. Leslie James is all about Colorado when it comes to writing features, sharing adventures, and creating colorful galleries. 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. more. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Keeping a clean camp at all times is necessary. Recent years have brought a number of new rules and policies, including a permitting system for camping. The latest drought map shows that much of the state remains at . If youre as passionate about outdoor adventure as we are, then we have you covered. Mt. Thank god it didn't see her, she noticed it and turned around quietly. It sounds like getting there between 6 and 7am is optimal. Leslie joined OutThere Colorado in November 2020. accounts, the history behind an article. There are three river crossings, which could be covered in snow during winter months. Carpooling is highly encouraged to allow as many people to enjoy the trail and hot springs as possible. Thanks so much for any insight! 8 miles if you start at 11,200'. For more information on camping in this wilderness area, watch the following video, which is mandatory viewing for overnight visitors. Colorado weather: High winds impact Front Range, prompting red flag . After an early morning dip in the hot springs, we began our decent. Take the right onto Conundrum Road and follow it until you reach the trailhead for Conundrum Creek. 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. The best time to visit the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is July through September. Backpacking during the winter is very challenging and potentially dangerous, even for the very prepared and experienced backcountry enthusiasts. 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. The heavy use of the area does not allow for waste deposited in catholes to fully decompose. Any how long is the hike and is it good to hike at this time of the year? The permit allows the permit holder (and group) to camp in the Overnight Permit Zone they select within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. A 4 wheel drive vehicle will be required to get to the trailhead this time of year. Welcome to Conundrum Hot Springs, AKA Heaven on Earth. Looking forward to round two. Wag bags are also available at the trailhead, although they can run out, so better to bring your own. This trail is a little bit longer at about 22.5 miles total. Some thunder is also possible. Be sure to pack accordingly for high altitude weather during all seasons and a night of camping near the hot springs. Geneva Lake Zone Recommended Campsites, Map showing recreational areas. Snow makes route finding difficult. It was sunny and clear and the high temperature reached 60 degrees. The highly competitive permits become available on three release dates throughout the year. Thankfully there is no fee for parking or overnight parking. Conundrum Hot Springs Zone reserveable campsites, Permit is non-transferable. Exposure is common through water or food. The hike involves a gain of 2,500 in elevation to 11,200 feet. The ascent is about 2500 ft in elevation. The access road, trail and all campsites will be covered in snow, requiring cross-country or AT skis, or snowshoes for approach. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. All day and all night, the hot springs are there for your relaxation. We had an absolute blast backpacking up the these springs. The hike back down to the parking lot took about 3.5 hours. The hike is not so difficult from elevation grade but rather for the distance it takes to make it all the way to the hot springs. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. The perfect way to help your feet, 2022 The Dyrt, Inc | All rights reserved, The Most Famous Hot Springs in Colorado Arent Easy to Reach, Yosemite Camping Reservations: Set Up Cancellation Text Notifications, 6 Private Campgrounds to Book When Your Favorite National Parks are Full. We saw no other people during the rest of the hike. It will be busy during the middle of summer and on holidays. Be warned that this is a much more difficult than the ascent from Conundrum Creek Trailhead. Conundrum Hot Springs and Peak Trail Hard 4.5 (63) Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness Photos (890) Directions Print/PDF map Length 22.1 miElevation gain 6,272 ftRoute type Out & back Explore this 22.1-mile out-and-back trail near Aspen, Colorado. Today 5 Mar. The best times to visit this trail are June through September. The hot springs are surrounded by the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness in the White River National Forest. I have hiked to this springs for 55 years. Wind NE 6 mph. The water temperature of Conundrum Hot Springs hovers around 102 degrees. There is one other approach where you can access Conundrum Hot Springs. During the winter, the road will be covered in snow from around October to late May. Conundrum Hot Springs is the most famous alpine hot spring in Colorado, which is part of the reason why its also a hot spot (pun intended) of conservation controversy. Campers, have you tried mushroom hunting 102 degrees summer and on holidays Front Range, prompting red Flag and. 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