From: kiisaka@csi.uottawa.ca (Ken Iisaka (the mad pianist))
Subject: Report: Conundrum Hot Springs, Colorado
Organization: Dept. of Computer Science, University of Ottawa
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 92 19:35:14 GMT

During the 10 weeks stay in Aspen this summer, I had a wonderful opportunity
to explore the magnificent backyard of Colorado.

Conundrum Hot Springs is located in Conundrum Valley in the Maroon Snowmass
wilderness area.  At about 11,500 ft, there is an area where hot water is
oozing out of the ground.  Rocks are piled around several springs, and one can
soak in the comfortably warm 95 degrees spring, while enjoying the view of the 
nearby Castle Peak (a fourteener.)

The 17 miles return hike starts at the Conundrum Valley trailhead,
approximately 7 miles from Aspen.  To get there, take the Colorado highway 82
west towards Glenwood Springs.  Turn left at Maroon Creek Road, about a mile
outside Aspen and turn left again immediately onto Castle Creek Road.  You go
past Aspen Music School and several ranches, you will see Conundrum Road to
the right, about 5 miles from the 82.  The Conundrum Road crosses Castle Creek
and becomes a dirt road.  Keep going for about a mile until you reach a parking
lot (usually crowded) which is also the trailhead.  The elevation of the 
trailhead is almost 9000 ft.

The first part of the hike is very easy, going through tall, fragile aspens
being taken over by evergreens.  You will hike past a ghost town which was home
for miners during the silver rush 100 years ago.  You will then cross a creek
at about 2 1/2 miles from the trailhead.  You will see many avalanche fields.
At about mile 4, we encountered a new avalanche field, caused by an avalanche
in the past spring.

The trail continues along a creek, and you will come to a fork at about a mile
past the new avalanche field.  Go straight.  If you turn left to cross the
creek, you will start a climb to the infamous Electric pass (13,500 ft.)  Keep
going straight and you will come to a yet another crossing in a mile.  After
the second crossing, you will notice that the climb is getting slightly 
steeper and aspen trees are no longer around.  Tall evergreens dominate here.
You will go past some beaver ponds and you will probably find columbines around
here too.  In half a mile, you will encounter another creek crossing which is
a little tricky.  If the water level is low and if you are insensitive to cold
water, you can wade through the creek.  If not, you can go down valley for 
about 400 ft to cross on a log pile caused by an avalanche.  However, you may 
find it intimidating to walk on a log 10 ft from the ground.

The hike from here is a little steeper, but consider the fact that you are 
climbing only 2500 ft in nearly 9 miles.  You will spend most of the time in
woods rather than avalanche meadows.

You will cross a small creek and will find an old shack for guards.  Keep going
and you will find a bridge crossing another creek to the left.  By the time you
reach here, you will notice that you are walking in swamps.  In fact, hot water
from the ground is oozing out in the entire area, marked by black sediments.
After crossing the creek and climbing about 200 ft, you will probably see 
people enjoying the hot spring.

The main pool is about 10 ft long and 8 ft wide, and is about 2 ft deep and has
a sandy bottom.  You can see carbon dioxide bubbles coming out of the bottom.
If you dig a bit, you will notice that the ground is hotter.  The temperature
is about 95 degrees.  If you find this a little too hot, there is another pool,
fed by a pipe off the main pool.  This is considerably smaller, barely big 
enough for 4 people, but deeper.  Also, there is a 1-person sized mud pool
right next to it.

The view from the springs is superb.  Looking down the valley, you can see
many peaks, the Electric pass, and avalanche fields.  Just to the right is the
Castle Peak, and behind you is an alpine meadow upto the Triangle pass.  If you
have a little extra time, I'd recommend you to go to the Triangle pass to
admire wildflowers there.

We were fortunate enough to have the springs all to ourselves.  However, 
especially at night, you should expect a crowd.  Oh, yes, by the way, most 
hikers don't usually bother bringing a swimsuit.  We didn't.
-- 
Ken Iisaka  kiisaka@csi.uottawa.ca : Just got back from Aspen, Colorado.
Artificial Intelligence Laboratory : Please be gentle.  I have to get 
University of Ottawa, Ont., Canada : acclimatised to the low altitude here.
H: +1 613 237 6642     W: 564 8155 : I was a mountain goat there...
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