Castle Peak Trip Report 05/19/2026

Report Type	Mini
Peak(s)	Castle Peak - 14,274 feet Conundrum Peak - 14,037 feet
Date Posted	05/19/2026
Date Climbed	06/04/2025
Author	GVOLDCLIMBS

Castle And conundrum Summer day
Started the drive from Aspen at around 5:30. The road was clear the whole way up with definite 4WD. Modded 4 runner made it to about 12,300 before pulling off on a switchback and parking for the day. Passed tons of people hiking up the road, very glad I could make it higher. Could have made it to the very top of the road, but didn't feel a need to. (passed a jeep that had rolled off the side of the road, which was a reminder to lock in while driving.) The trailhead at Pearl Pass intersection was completely packed, which is expected on a summer June day. Definitely arrive early if you want to secure a spot. Started hiking around 7:05 and hiked up the road for about .5 miles until reaching the top of the road. I decided to make the route a little bit more difficult and went up the far right of the scree field. Definitely fun, but not necessary by all means. The normal route still had patches of snow, so around June, I would still bring microspikes. Once I reached the crest and turned left, there were patches of snow on the trail, but not enough to posthole at all. Otherwise, made it to the top at around 9:20 and traversed over to the conundrum and summited around 9:50. On the way over to the conundrum, I encountered a group of trkking up the northwest ridge, which was very interesting. me. Not sure why you would put yourself through that loose scree pile of trash, but hey, to each their own. On the way down i decided to glissade the snowfield. Sooooo much fun.m Made it back to the car around 11:45. Overall, great day, and the only thing I would say is that early June definitely brings microspikes. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Castle And conundrum Summer day

Started the drive from Aspen at around 5:30. The road was clear the whole way up with definite 4WD. Modded 4 runner made it to about 12,300 before pulling off on a switchback and parking for the day. Passed tons of people hiking up the road, very glad I could make it higher. Could have made it to the very top of the road, but didn't feel a need to. (passed a jeep that had rolled off the side of the road, which was a reminder to lock in while driving.) The trailhead at Pearl Pass intersection was completely packed, which is expected on a summer June day. Definitely arrive early if you want to secure a spot. Started hiking around 7:05 and hiked up the road for about .5 miles until reaching the top of the road. I decided to make the route a little bit more difficult and went up the far right of the scree field. Definitely fun, but not necessary by all means. The normal route still had patches of snow, so around June, I would still bring microspikes. Once I reached the crest and turned left, there were patches of snow on the trail, but not enough to posthole at all. Otherwise, made it to the top at around 9:20 and traversed over to the conundrum and summited around 9:50. On the way over to the conundrum, I encountered a group of trkking up the northwest ridge, which was very interesting. me. Not sure why you would put yourself through that loose scree pile of trash, but hey, to each their own. On the way down i decided to glissade the snowfield. Sooooo much fun.m Made it back to the car around 11:45. Overall, great day, and the only thing I would say is that early June definitely brings microspikes.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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