Conundrum Creek #1981

ALERT:  A permit is required for overnight stays within the Conundrum Hot Springs Zone. This zone includes: all of Conundrum Creek Valley from Silver Dollar Pond to Triangle Pass, and Conundrum Hot Springs. This permit must be acquired in advance at recreation.gov [http://bit.ly/2GR1lEb]. The Conundrum Creek Trail, in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteriver/recarea/?recid=81118], 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. Mt. Hayden looms at the start of the hike followed by views of Cathedral Peak, Conundrum Peak and Castle Peak. 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. The third crossing requires wading through the creek. This creek crossing can be hazardous, especially during spring runoffs. At 8 miles, there are remnants of a cabin, and the hot springs are just ahead on the left on the other side of the creek. A log bridge spans the creek for accessing the hot springs. View Conundrum Creek Trail Guide [http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd571830.pdf] (PDF)