The Incline (Manitou Springs, CO)

The view above Manitou Springs

             Today, I was lucky to spend the last sunny day of the  warm season watching the leaves change in Manitou Springs. Though I’d wanted to try some of the trails along the Cog railroad, we were surprised to see that the Barr Trail parking lot (uncharacteristically) had available spaces. From that vantage point, it’s hard to see what you’re getting into, and as neither my companion nor I had hiked the Incline this year, we decided to give it a shot, though we both pretty much agreed not to summit it.

            There aren’t a lot of times of the year I would hike the Incline, but today was absolutely perfect. High of 77, sunny, breezy, and cool in the shade; these are superb Incline conditions. Since the first frost is supposed to arrive next week, today might be among the last few nice days to try this rigorous hike.

            If you’ve never hiked the Incline before, you might want to do a little research first. People with problematic knees or other mobility issues should work their way up to a hike like the Incline, but otherwise, if you’re a healthy person in pretty good shape, this hike is a fun and challenging way to test your limits.

The Cog Railroad in Manitou Springs was completed in the late 19^th century, as a means to take passengers up Pikes Peak. It’s still used today, for much the same reason- so visitors and natives alike can enjoy the glorious vista the summit affords, without having to hike it. What’s known today as the Incline was constructed alongside the Cog Railroad, and was primarily used as a service stairway for railroad builders. Today, the Incline is all but abandoned except for Colorado’s tenacious hikers.

            The hike starts over the ridge from the Barr Trail parking lot, and pretty much goes straight up as far as the eye can see. The ledge you see from the trailhead is misleading, though- once you reach that point, you’ll still have a way to go, but thankfully, the incline levels off there.

A nice shot of the Incline's "false top", and beyond

            When hiking the Incline during peak seasons, like the early spring and late fall, you’ll see a lot of hikers powering up the steps, often making it to the top in less than an hour. Hikers in Manitou and Colorado Springs are typically in excellent shape, and lots of Fort Carson troops use the Incline as a fair-weather training tool. If you’re not up to that level of workout, don’t feel bad. There are plenty of spots to pull off and catch your breath, and whatever you might think, other hikers probably aren’t judging you.

            The terrain itself can be a unique challenge, even to seasoned hikers. That the Incline was once used as a service stairway means the hike is comprised of antique, wooden “steps”. These steps are uneven, with scary, ankle-twisting holes throughout the climb. It’s important to keep your eyes open and on where you walk. Going down the Incline isn’t advisable; once you reach the summit, or a point about 2/3 of the way up, you can get on Barr Trail and take an easy, scenic decline back to the lot.

The nice thing about hiking the Incline is the sense of accomplishment you get when you’re done, and you might even feel a rush of exhilaration on the way up. But almost every other part of hiking the Incline is quite literally a pain, and the best thing you can do for yourself and your friends is to be prepared.

Once the difficult part of the climb is over, the trail levels off. To descend, follow the well-worn path to Barr Trail.

            It’s not necessary to mention that water is an essential component to any hike in an arid state like Colorado. In addition to your water- I’d recommend at least a liter for a hike like this- pack a sandwich if you’re not the type to power through all the way to the top of your climb. I’ve taken a book and relaxed in the shade more than a few times, but this hiking style isn’t for everyone. If you don’t think the Incline is a rigorous enough hike to warrant a lunch break, then pack an apple or a banana. The sugar will give you a surge of energy, and help you keep hydrated.