Camping Near Conundrum Trailhead – What Are My Best Options?

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Latenight_cheese
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Joined: 6/22/2025
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Camping Near Conundrum Trailhead – What Are My Best Options?

Post by Latenight_cheese »

Hey all, I managed to snag an overnight camping permit for Conundrum Hot Springs for the night of July 3rd! My plan is to leave Fort Collins after work on the 2nd, at 3pm which means I’ll probably get to trailhead vicinity between 8 - 9pm depending on traffic. On a good day, with normal traffic it's a 4 1/2 drive to Aspen, but since its the week of the 4th, we'll see.

This feels like a stupid question, but how far in do I have to hike to before I can set up camp? I know I have to be 200ft from the trail, but wasnt sure if I have to further than that from the trailhead. My idea was to hike like half a mile in, set up camp in the snow mass-maroon bells "blue zone", and attempt to to setup while I still have some light.

If I end up arriving too late, are there any good spots or other trailheads to car camp at? I've heard car camping at conundrum trailhead isn't allowed, otherwise I'd just do that. I did see Cathedral Lake trailhead as an option. I'm not picky, as long as its somewhat close and I can get an early start the next day.

Thanks! :-D
Last edited by Latenight_cheese on Mon Jun 23, 2025 5:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Mtnman200
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Re: Camping Near Conundrum Trailhead – What Are My Best Options?

Post by Mtnman200 »

I’ve slept in the back of my car at the trailhead before and then started backpacking early the next morning.
"Adventure without risk is not possible." - Reinhold Messner
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Latenight_cheese
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Re: Camping Near Conundrum Trailhead – What Are My Best Options?

Post by Latenight_cheese »

Mtnman200 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 22, 2025 8:42 pm I’ve slept in the back of my car at the trailhead before and then started backpacking early the next morning.
Ok, good to know! I guess I'll just chance it then. I figure if I get there late anyways, and I'm discreet I hopefully won't get the knock. That's what tinted windows are for, right?
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