The Conundrum Hot Springs are located 8.5 miles from Conundrum Creek Trailhead south of Aspen, CO. The hot spring complex contains two main pools and four smaller springs with a max temperature just over 100 degrees F (each pool varies). While the springs are the main attraction, the hike in is equally compelling. The Conundrum Creek Trail runs through long stretches of level meadows, aspen forests and wide valley openings. It continues 2 miles and 1700' up past the springs to Triangle Pass with spectacular views that include the Maroon Bells, Castle Peak and Cathedral Peak.

The Conundrum Creek Trail quickly clears treeline past the springs and rises through expansive alpine meadows to Triangle Pass

Despite long distances the Conundrum Creek Trail is considered moderate, and the hot springs are an achievable day hike for strong hikers with an early start

Fireweed earns its name for being one of the first flowering plants to reclaim disturbed land, such as from a fire or avalanche

The Elk Range has six peaks over 14,000' and four centennial 13ers (which round out the top 100 highest peaks in the state)

Chokecherries provide vital calories for bears heading into hibernation; though edible when treated properly, the seeds are still toxic to humans as they contain hydrocyanic acid

The Conundrum Creek Trail is distinguished by long stretches of level meadows

Mule Deer are among the most widely distributed mammals in western North America, ranging from coastal islands off Alaska to Baja California

Mild grades and lower elevations make this trail ideal for runners and winter travel

The Elk Range is comprised of basement rock with younger Formations above it, a result of tectonic subduction

Looking west from Triangle Pass, where the trail dives down to Copper Basin with connections to East Maroon Pass

Indian Paintbrush (Figwort Family) is the state flower of Wyoming, adopted in 1917

The trail skirts the Silver Ponds area from 6 - 6.5 miles, then fords Conundrum Creek back to the west side of the valley

View from Triangle Pass down the Conundrum Creek valley; despite the hot springs' popularity, few people continue up to this pass

The Elk Range is considered the westernmost range in the Colorado Rocky Mountains-proper

The trail climbs over 1700' in two miles from the hot springs to Triangle Pass, with moderate intervals across rolling alpine meadows

Haustorium on the roots of Indian Paintbrush physically connect this parasitic plant to the host root

Aspen have a relatively short life span, and often don't produce seeds; instead, lateral roots produce vertical shoots called suckers, some of which will grow into mature trees

View of Coffee Pot Pass (right middle), which appears to be your destination before banking steeply up the west wall to Triangle Pass

Glacial retreat carved the large U-shaped valleys we see today across the Elk Range

The creek ford at 6.55 miles is generally easy, but can be voluminous during peak runoff