Video-Conundrum Creek Trail (Colorado)

**bsolomon** · 09-03-2015, 08:47

I turned 40 last week, and to commemorate the occasion we (myself, my brother, his buddy) set out to tackle the Conundrum Creek Trail in the Maroon-Bells Snowmass Wilderness area Colorado. The trailhead is a few miles south of Aspen and heads southeast toward the Triangle Pass and eventually on over to Crested Butte. Our plan was to hike 8.5 miles in to Conundrum Hot Springs (which I've been told is the highest elevated natural hot springs in North America at 11,200 ft.) on Day 1. On Day 2 we were going to try and summit Castle Peak 14,279 ft. And hike out on Day 3. However, the altitude and trail were pretty tough on us and we ended up breaking the first leg up to the hot springs, arriving there on Day 2. There were some thunder storms forming around us and we didn't want to take any chances at that altitude. Then we hiked the full 8.5 miles back out on Day 3. All in all we had a great time. We encountered quite a few folks on the trail, as the hot springs are a popular destination for hikers in the area. The trail was beautiful!! I'd love to do this one again, but carve out an extra day or two to tackle Castle Peak. This is my first video trip report...hope y'all enjoy it!

**Camping Nut** · 09-03-2015, 09:39

Awesome!!! Great video.......

**WaffleBox** · 09-03-2015, 10:10

Is what I heard about Conundrum Hot Springs true? You know what I mean.

**mcallaghan** · 09-03-2015, 10:22

Awful familiar looking scenery, probably because I live here (or there...aka Aspen). Never been up to conundrum springs and here mixed things about it. At least in the local newspaper. Due to its popularity and people being irresponsible, especially in regards to 'human waste', the area can sometimes me...nasty. But, its been a very wet spring/summer out here and tourist season just ended (a week or two earlier and you may have seen a lot more people) so that may have helped too.

The altitude always catches people who aren't used to it either. What would be a 'normal' hike at sea level is quite a bit more challenging at 8,000+ ft.

**OutandBack** · 09-03-2015, 10:40

Nice video. Thanks for sharing your trip.
Happy Birthday. Everyone should hike the Rockies at least once in their life.

**Turk3** · 09-03-2015, 10:55

Nicely done!!!

Turk3

**bsolomon** · 09-03-2015, 10:56

Originally Posted by Camping Nut

Awesome!!! Great video.......

Thanks!!

**bsolomon** · 09-03-2015, 11:00

Originally Posted by WaffleBox

Is what I heard about Conundrum Hot Springs true? You know what I mean.

hahaha!! yes...although, I missed it. I sat in the springs for about an hour and a half in the afternoon and hung around our campsite for the duration. I missed some of the extra scenery that came later in the evening!

**bsolomon** · 09-03-2015, 11:09

Originally Posted by mcallaghan

Awful familiar looking scenery, probably because I live here (or there...aka Aspen). Never been up to conundrum springs and here mixed things about it. At least in the local newspaper. Due to its popularity and people being irresponsible, especially in regards to 'human waste', the area can sometimes me...nasty. But, its been a very wet spring/summer out here and tourist season just ended (a week or two earlier and you may have seen a lot more people) so that may have helped too.

The altitude always catches people who aren't used to it either. What would be a 'normal' hike at sea level is quite a bit more challenging at 8,000+ ft.

I encountered only two piles of poop...one was from a bear...and another looked like it could have come from a bear w/ a bit of toilet paper on top. All in all it was pretty clean and the people were pretty cool. I usually opt for a less travelled trail, but the hot springs were too inviting!

I grew up in Denver, but have been stuck int he midwest for the last 15 years. It's been almost 20 years since I've hiked at that altitude. I flew into Denver a few days prior to the hike to try and get acclimated, but unless you live there the altitude will still be a factor. I'm jealous that you get that scenery all year!! Cheers!