I would consider this a must-do Colorado activity. Some of them have large rocks or Boulders in which to step. Trailhead parking is very limited and often full. Still, if willing, it's certainly achievable. Crater Lake and Maroon Creek to East Fork, Maroon Lake Trailhead to Maroon Snowmass Trailhead, Little Annie and Richmond Hill OHV Road Loop, Aspen Mountain OHV Trail [PRIVATE PROPERTY]. It can be a bit crowded on nice summer days but everyone is friendly. 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 view was spectacular. Bring enough water or a purification system. Avalanches are a possibility, especially toward the afternoon. ", "The trail is definitely not 8.5 miles one way. We spent about 1.5 hours in the pool. the Forest Service Rangers come up there often. The pool fed by the main hot spring is in a meadow surrounded by mountains. An RV campervan gets you to the heart of the US national parks. Formed in existing craters or rocks through years of visitation, the Conundrum Hot Springs offer therapeutic soaking in a natural environment. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Valley View sits on 2200 acres of protected land thats crisscrossed with trails, a working ranch and an abandoned-mine-turned-bat cave perfect for a weekend exploring with your boo. The last two miles are steep and unpaved, requiring 4WD or tire chains from November to May. Overflow parking is available on Castle Creek Road, a little over one mile away. This makes for a long day trip, however, it is definitely doable if one is in reasonably good shape. 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. Does anyone have camping permit Sept 30 and Oct 1? We hiked from the trail head to the Conundrum Hot Springs and back to the trail head. The springs were absolutely beautiful. How to get to Dunton Hot Springs: Dunton is located off of Country Road 38, southwest of Telluride. It was my younger son's first hike of this length. This trail is regularly patrolled by the forest service. Other zones require 70 steps away from water sources and trails for camping; pre-established sites should be used for this purpose. A moderate 1.5-mile hike through the lush San Juan National Forest leads to a collection of steaming pools alongside the Piedra River. The road is narrow in places - be mindful of oncoming traffic. Print Trail Rec.gov said It will appear back on line within 24 hours. Was a long 9 mile incline to the spring but so worth it and pretty. [1][2][3][4], The hot mineral water collects in existing craters as well as several primitive rock-lined soaking pools that have been dug out nearby. This. How is hiking to Conundrum hot springs at the very end of May through the first week of June? Consider post-Labor Travel for lighter crowds. The maximum length of stay from June 1-September 1 is three nights. Conundrum Hot Springs, Conundrum Creek Trail #1981 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. Today 5 Mar. When your legs start to feel like jelly, its a good sign that youre getting close to the springs. There are 16 crossings of the creek along the trail. Alternatively, take the train from Denver, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. We spend our days thinking about the best places to go, and quite often, wishing we were there. One of the students played guitar and sang. I didn't boil water, just used a Sawyer filter. 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 are located at an elevation of 11,200 feet, making them some of the highest hot springs in the country. The Forest Service hauled out a ton of garbage and feces from the trail, which is a Wilderness Area. The best time to visit Conundrum Hot Springs is July through September. Layer upnice and warm during the day but gets pretty cold at night. For the first time ever, Lonely Planet's experts have compiled the USA's 500 most memorable, beautiful, surprising and compelling experiences. Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness | Aspen Ranger District 806 West Hallam Aspen, CO 81611 970.925.3445, Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness | Sopris Ranger District 620 Main Street Carbondale, CO 81623 970.963.2266, White River National Forest 900 Grand Ave. P.O. It is 9 miles from the trail head and 12 miles from Castle Creek road. Keep all of this in mind when planning your trip. 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!). Allison not sure how to message you but Im interested in the permit! Avalanches are a possibility, especially toward the afternoon. As it stood, I had a short discussion with my sons, and we soon decided before we entered the pool that we too would soak naked. There was ample parking in the dirt parking lot to the trail head. 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. 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. It was sunny and clear and the high temperature reached 60 degrees. A popular locals spot, Conundrum can get busy in the summer; come in late spring or early fall for less of a crowd. Best wild hot springs: Conundrum Hot Springs, Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The pools will be at their deepest and the warm water feels great after a day spent hiking in brisk mountain air. I secured a permit for this hike for a few days & are beyond stoked to be going back. But hey, that adds to the thrill! The temperature of the soaking pools are approximately 98F. This was not the case at all on our day there. The first two on our way up were a lovely a couple in their 70's from Novia Scotia who were also ascending. Is the weather too cold to hike and stay overnight at the conundrum hot springs in mid-November? Nearby Town: Aspen, ColoradoGPS: 39.012471,-106.891154Season: June OctoberType: Primitive; Hike accessHike: 8.5 miles (one way)Price: FreeClothing: Optional. The water temperature in the large soaking pool is approximately 98F/36.5C. 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. 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. Million dollar views for nothing: the best free things to do in Colorado, This article was first published March 2022 and updated July 2022. None of us found it more than moderately difficult in any part. I am looking for a permit or someone to share a camp site with on the 15th-16th of October! Keep all of this in mind when planning your trip. Anne loves to explore the world and share her experiences through her blog. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You can contact ProTrails directly through our Facebook account. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. But I do have to say I wish I brought Camping gear to camp out overnight. Born from rain and snow that seep deep into the earth and resurface steaming and infused with healing minerals, these natural hot tubs are sublime. Many of them are on well-constructed wooden bridges. Please note that you cannot have campfires in the upper campgrounds, and you will need to camp in designated spaces only (permits required). The Conundrum Creek Trail near Aspen, Colorado was an adventurous 18.5-mile round trip hike with 3,025' total elevation gain, plenty of colorful foliage, creek crossings, incredible . One of the students played guitar and sang. They explained to us that nudity in these hot springs is a Conundrum tradition. Reservations required. Reservations required. My older son admired their confidence. A friendly reminder that dogs are not allowed on this trail (we saw multiple). the Forest Service Rangers come up there often. Overnight camping is available but not right by the springs its best to get there early to grab your spot and pack a flashlight for easy navigation. 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. The waterfall, along the warm springs bay, provides an unmatched view. Overall well worth it and would do again. It took us 4 hours and 25 minutes to reach the hot springs. One last thing PLEASE! 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. PROTECTIVE CLOSURE: This area is subject to closure due to habitat protection. Tell us when your experience with this trail happened. They fill up quickly, so get in early! Conundrum Hot Springs boasts two separate pools. We went on a Wednesday-Thursday in July, and the flowers were AMAZING. A side note: The students in the pool fed by the main hot spring were all completely naked. So packed that cars could barely get through due to some very shitty parking jobs and we had to park down the road past the big house (risky). I am no longer able to use it and am releasing it. First, be prepared for the altitude the high elevation can cause altitude sickness, so take it slow and stay hydrated. [7] Dogs are not allowed within 2.5 miles of the hot spring site, and all waste, including feces must be packed out. This pool is far smaller than the upper pool and can really only hold about 4 adults. 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. Is the weather too cold to hike and stay overnight at the conundrum hot springs in mid-November? Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 8 h 4 min to complete. Travel is quick to a bridge leading to the west side of the creek (2.75 miles : 9,390'). For more information, please visit, Colorado Tourism Office, 1625 Broadway, Suite 1700 , Denver, CO, 80202, Phone: 800-COLORADO. A favorite amongst locals and visitors alike, this natural wonder presents a unique and unforgettable experience for anyone willing to brave the journey. Be prepared for this if you are making a day trip. In Conundrum Hot Springs, Crater Lake, and Capitol Lake Zones, the permit holder and group are required to camp in their reserved campsite. The Conundrum Creek Trail runs through long stretches of level meadows, aspen forests and wide valley openings to the springs. Be prepared for this if you are making a day trip. The ascent is about 2500 ft in elevation. The bridge is elevated and narrow - consider crossing in the water if slick or carrying a heavy pack. 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. Appreciate any suggestions. We will provide dinner if so! [6], The hot springs are located approximately 5 hours from Aspen by car. Anticipate the turnoff, and be considerate of cyclists sharing the road. A better hike is the South Platte Trail in Denver. Stargazing. lunk03@gmail.com. Dunton Hot Springs is the epitome of western luxe and lore: a ghost town turned exclusive resort, a deluxe all-inclusive getaway in what was once thehideout of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Want to report conditions for this trail? Hiking out was relatively easy. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Pack enough food and water for a day hike. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. A couple of friends had mentioned that the trail and the hot springs are over-crowded. Looking for a permit this sat 10/22 or to join a group. Its five pools are fed by a steaming mountain spring, whose 140-degree waters are cooled by a creek that flows alongside the property. From dizzying chasms to soaring peaks, you'll lose track of all the times you're awestruck on this multi-state drive. ), likely due to the weather. The hot spring complex contains two main pools and four smaller springs with a combined approximate discharge of 130 GPM, andmax avg. Left Sunday 9/4 around 9:30 am, took us just under 4 hours to get back to the parking lot which was very packed. Get details of Location, timings and contact. Clearly the temperature has declined substantially. Looking for an accurate conditions report! It rained the entire time but was still incredible. Dispersed backcountry camping is permitted in the, Camping is prohibited within 100' of any trail, lake or stream. What you willdefinitelysee is an abundance of wildflowers, breathtaking mountain views, and quaint, high-alpine streams. The 8.5 mile distance would usually command a 'difficult' rating, however most consider the trail quite moderate. A lot harder than I thought. Besides them, everyone was super great! Thanks, Adam. The mineral-rich pools are perched on several cement terraces, varying in size and temperature, including a few with direct access to the icy waters of the San Juan River perfect for cooling off between soaks.

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