Challenging Summer Alpine Hike to 14ers Castle and Conundrum Peaks near Aspen, Colorado

All support is hugely appreciated and it helps me keep the channel going!
https://buymeacoffee.com/letsgoforawalk

Sometimes you have a day that will just linger in your memory forever as being a perfect day. This was one of them. The weather was absolutely perfect. There were no clouds and the wind was soft. On my way up the 4x4 road at sunrise, I offered a ride to a fellow hiker. I ended up making a friend for the day with a nice fellow named Michael. We hiked near each other most of the day and enjoyed our lunch together on Conundrum. This hike wasn't my favorite 14er. These mountains are crumbly and not as "pretty" as some of the others in Colorado, but as far as a summer 14er climbing adventure goes, this was about as good as it gets. I watched the sunrise that evening, wishing that the day would never end. I hope you enjoy this hike as much as I did.

📍 Place: Castle Peak, Elk Mountains, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA
📅 Date: 7/31/21
🚩 Trailhead: Castle Creek Trailhead
🏔️ Destination: Castle & Conundrum Peaks
📏 Distance: 6.66 miles/10.7km roundtrip
⬆️ Ascent: 3,564'/1,086m
🗺️ Route: Castle Creek TH→Castle Peak → Conundrum Peak → Castle Peak → Back to Car

00:00:00 - Intro and Information
00:02:21 - The Road Up to the trailhead
00:44:52 - End of the Road
00:49:21 - Snow Crossings
01:08:00 - Loose Rocks
01:24:53 - Castle Ridge
01:45:42 - The final stretch to Castle Peak
01:52:06 - Castle Peak Summit
02:03:06 - Castle-Conundrum Saddle (best part of hike)
02:09:11 - Conundrum Ascent
02:26:05 - Conundrum Peak Summit
02:56:48 - 2nd Castle Summit
03:23:20 - The hard part is done
03:53:55 - snow crossing 2

Connect with me?
  / letsgohiking5280  
  / letsgohiking5280  

▬▬ ✦ MY GEAR ✦ ▬▬
Camera https://amzn.to/45qwSXF
iPhone 13 Mini https://amzn.to/3DAbR0X
Battery Bank https://amzn.to/3qfVljx
Gimbel https://amzn.to/3qeSK9y
Personal Locator Beacon https://amzn.to/3Oy1Tn0
Boots https://amzn.to/3DA8fvT
Pants https://amzn.to/3KmvJIJ
Socks https://amzn.to/43Pg5fY
Gaiters https://amzn.to/44MRRUW
Snowshoes https://amzn.to/44Mwras
Micro Spikes https://amzn.to/3KfG3SY
Gloves https://amzn.to/3YhOS4u
Rain Jacket https://amzn.to/3OzAYqV
Backpack https://amzn.to/44MSoGq
Rain Cover https://amzn.to/3rSsnXG
Trekking Poles https://amzn.to/455252K
Water Bottle https://amzn.to/3rRzX4V
Bear Spray https://amzn.to/3YhPffo
Water Filter https://amzn.to/3YtXGEx
Compass https://amzn.to/3rRCoEx
Trail Snack https://amzn.to/3OdRqMi

These Amazon Links are affiliated; I get a small commission if you simply use the links to go to the Amazon website. Even if you buy something else unrelated to the links, it gives me a small commission because you used the link.