Conundrum Creek TH winter/spring access

[9patrickmurphy]

I'm curious if anyone knows any details on Conundrum Creek's winter access. Looking at potential snow climbs this spring for Hunter, Keefe, and Hilliard.

I just took a drive up there to check out the trailhead situation, and the road is only plowed to the last private home, just short of the trailhead. There is a pullout that has been plowed clear just before the private home that clearly isn't a snowplow turnaround - it looks as though it is meant to be for trailhead access, but it is unsigned and on private land.

Does anybody have any experience parking at this trailhead in winter or spring?

[ekalina]

I don't have any direct experience, but I did see this on the FS page for Conundrum Creek TH:

Parking is prohibited on Conundrum Road. This narrow road is on a county right-of-way over private property. Vehicles will be towed.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteri ... 1&actid=82

[ekalina]

But I also found:

Drive 1/2 mile west of Aspen on Highway 82 to the Roundabout. Go around the Roundabout and turn
right onto Castle Creek Road. Drive approximately 5 miles up Castle Creek then turn right onto Conundrum
Road. Continue 1.1 miles to a parking lot at the trailhead. Be careful not to stray onto the numerous private
driveways found along the road. Parking is limited. If lot is full, return to Castle Creek Road where overflow
parking is provided. Do not park on Conundrum Road. This narrow road is on a County right-of-way over private
property. Parking is prohibited and cars are towed.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO ... 498398.pdf

I'm assuming the overflow parking is the shoulder on Castle Creek Road, near the intersection with Conundrum Creek Road, but not sure.

[TakeMeToYourSummit]

The above information posted by ekalina is correct. The parking when you can't drive 100% of the way to the summer TH is on the west side of Castle Creek Road, just south of the junction with Conundrum Creek Road. You then just walk the road to the TH. When we've done sidecountry lines off of Highlands (5 Fingers, Port Chester, etc...) we will park here. I'm not sure exactly when it will be clear this spring; but on 5-10-2020 I was able to drive to the summer TH for a successful summit descent off of Hunter. Let me know if you have any additional questions.

[9patrickmurphy]

Dang, that's an extra 1.3 miles each way from the Castle Creek road pulloff. Not ideal, but if that's what's legal, that's what's legal.

The pulloff I describe really seems like a parking area. The road is covered with "no parking signs" pretty much everywhere except for the very last pulloff, which makes it seem like it might be intended for trailhead parking. Though you'd expect some signs there if it was...

[seannunn]

Dang, that's an extra 1.3 miles each way from the Castle Creek road pulloff. Not ideal, but if that's what's legal, that's what's legal.

The pulloff I describe really seems like a parking area. The road is covered with "no parking signs" pretty much everywhere except for the very last pulloff, which makes it seem like it might be intended for trailhead parking. Though you'd expect some signs there if it was...

Keep in mind that you could always use a lazy man's approach: drive your car up to the end, drop everyone but the driver (and all of your backpacks). Driver goes back and parks, then walks 1.3 miles back up (sans backpack). You could even reverse it at the end of a climb with a different person going the last 1.3 down to the vehicle. Just a thought. We used this method on South Colony Lakes approach one time, driving our minivan as far as we thought safe, dropping everything and everyone but the driver there.

Sean Nunn
Raytown MO

[Skimo95]

I believe I’ve only hitchhiked twice, it really sucks. The last time I did it, we winged Castleabra in early June of last year. Approach from Castle Creek, up and over Conundrum saddle, and over to the Mt. Raoul approach. After skiing Raoul, we rode out the Conundrum creek. Car shuttle would be the way to go (if the Ashcroft gate is open, stays locked in Winter). I think we had two sheriffs pass by before we got a ride. Nathan was jogging the 7-8? miles back up just prior to a lovely Mexican couple giving me a ride. Would love to know more information on early season for this area.

[Marmot72]

That is such a long valley, that I have thought it’s probably not doable as a day trip in spring. I figure the postholing would be miserable. But I imagine it is an easier time of year to get camping passes.

[9patrickmurphy]

A local source has informed me that the pullout I found is indeed intended for trailhead access. It is apparently maintained by the HOA for the Conundrum Creek homes and parking there should not be an issue. I’ll report back on my experience if I end up using it this spring.