Connects: Castle Creek Road (CR 15), Silver Dollar Pond (10,245 ft), Conundrum Hot Springs (11,230 ft), Triangle Pass Trail, Triangle Pass (12,900 ft)
Aspen, CO – Medium – 8.5 Miles – Hike, Run, Horseback Ride, Dog Friendly – Dirt/Rocky
Conundrum Creek Trail #1981 is an intermediate/moderate difficulty trail you can hike, run, and horseback ride. Dogs are welcome if they are leashed, however dogs are not allowed past Silver Dollar Pond. This is an 8.5 mile rocky trail in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness near Aspen, CO.
Permits are required year-round for overnight camping in the vicinity of the Conundrum Hot Springs. Reservations for camping at the Conundrum Hot Springs can be made at www.recreation.gov.
To get to the trailhead from the Aspen Roundabout, turn right onto Castle Creek Road (CR 15). In 5 miles turn right onto Conundrum Road. Follow the paved road down to the left and continue on the dirt road 1 mile to a parking lot at the trailhead. Be careful, there are numerous private driveways found along the road. Parking is limited. If lot is full, return to Castle Creek Road where overflow
parking can be found. Do not park on Conundrum Road. This narrow road is on a County right-of-way over private property. Parking is prohibited and cars are towed.
Distances:
Trailhead to First Creek Crossing – 2.5 Miles
Trailhead to Silver Dollar Pond/Second Creek Crossing – 6 Miles
Trailhead to Third Creek Crossing – 6.5 Miles
Trailhead to Conundrum Hot Springs (11,230 ft) – 8.9 Miles
Conundrum Hot Springs (11,230 ft) to Triangle Pass (12,900 ft) – 2 Miles
News about the Conundrum Creek Trail can be found at:
The Aspen Times (February 6, 2018) – Conundrum Hot Springs reservations plan details rollout for spring
The Denver Post (November 1, 2017) – Forest Service puts brakes on Conundrum Hot Springs summer free-for-all with permits, required reservations for camping
The Aspen Times (March 30, 2017) – Forest Service will implement camping limits at Conundrum before expanding in Aspen-area wilderness
More information about Conundrum Creek Trail can be found at:
Recreation.gov – A Guide to High-alpine Soaking at Conundrum Hot Springs
White River National Forest – Conundrum Creek Trail #1981 (Hiking)