Hot Springs

This indeed is an incredibly important aspect to the mountains ....

Where might I find the A-1, top-notch, ultimate of ultimate climbing rewards --- THE hot springs?

Good morning Mr. Mark-
It all depends on how you wish proceed. Like our sport, do you want to start easy and work you way up; or would you rather jump right into the deep end and find yourself in the middle of a nudist colony that deceptively labels itself as "clothing optional" (hint: Valley View)?

I would submit that the best overall natural experience, including serious effort as in LONG hikes would be Conundrum hot springs up by Maroon Bells (8 miles), and Rainbow hot springs on Wolf Creek Pass, (again another 8-10 miles).

As for developed ones that you pay for, I think its a tie between Strawberry Park in Steamboat and the main resort in Pagosa Springs.

Be aware that when you see clothing optional on the sign going in that you will at least be sharing the pool with nekkid old hippies, or worse, freaky nudists with things that should never be pierced.

I once paddled the Black Canyon NV, CO River, by canoe. My then girlfriend and I rented a canoe, put it at the Hoover Dam, then paddled down the river for ~12 leisurely miles while camping one night along the way. Did some hiking and climbing/scrambling on fixed ropes up the canyons. Some of the hot springs are remote with no crowds, and others were rather sociable with old nude ladies (puke).

Awesome trip!!! Highly recommend it to anybody traveling near Vegas/ Lake Mead.

http://www.squidoo.com/black-canyon-canoe-trip-colorado-river

Hi Marky Mark. Here is a site that I like to use: soak.net/ You can pick your state on the left. A lot of these are not commercial. Enjoy!

I've hit some nice ones, the one on the East side of the San Luis valley below the Crestones is pretty nice. Once on a raft trip on the Rio Grande in Northern New Mexico, we stopped and soaked and stoked and smoked in the hot springs that was used in the famous hot springs scene in Easy Rider. Mt Princeton is great if you're looking for something with more amenities. There's always Strawberry in Steamboat......I better stop before start to shed my clothes and jump in a sink full of hot water here at work!

Orvis in Ridgeway are great. They even have a campgroud. As for primitive but with out the walk is Penny hot springs below Marble right on the Crystal river. Right now they're underwater with the runoff going on.

yes, love the pea gravel, quiet, funky development of Orvis; it's hard to beat that one.

Orvis #1 for quality of water, atmosphere, and surroundings...

Not way back in there, the road is nearby, but they have done a tremendous job for a commercial soaking.......