.attraction-map-buttons-container {
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
justify-content: center;
margin: 20px 0 10px;
}
.attraction-map-buttons-container a {
flex-grow: 1;
flex-shrink: 1;
flex-basis: 150px;
max-width: 200px;
margin: 0 7px 10px;
font-weight: normal;
}

.attraction-activities-btns-container {
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
justify-content: center;
}
.attraction-activities-btns-container a {
flex-grow: 1;
flex-shrink: 1;
flex-basis: 150px;
max-width: 200px;
margin: 0 7px 10px;
font-weight: normal;
overflow: hidden;
text-overflow: ellipsis;
}

Conundrum Hot Springs is one of the most popular backcountry destinations in Colorado, a collection of natural pools set deep in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. This trail winds eight miles, relentlessly uphill but rarely steep, following Conundrum Creek to the hot springs and eventually over Triangle Pass. It was so named because miners could find flecks of gold but no minable ore, a true “conundrum.” The conundrum these days is the extremely heavy use, which in 2016 had U.S. Forest Service officials considering permits to regulate the flow of visitors. It’s a beautiful walk up a splendid mountain valley, but visiting the hot springs is the only real reason to hike it.

On a backpacking trip to Conundrum Hot Springs in the summer of 2013, I may have under-sold the difficulty of the hike to my wife. So I agreed to go ahead and look for a campsite near the pools, with the agreement I would radio her and carry her pack if I found one. As luck would have it on a Friday afternoon, I was able to grab the last open campsite. All evening backpackers were streaming up and camping anywhere they could find a flat spot for a tent. The next night saw nearly 50 people partying in the pool. If we were to visit again, it would be in early fall or during the week.

Pro Tips

Recommended season(s): Mid-summer to early fall.

–R. Scott Rappold