And be sure to take pictures and share them online-you definitely want people to know you “did the Incline. Why not give it a try? Even if you don’t make it to the top and decide to head back down at the “Barr Trail Bailout,” you’ll experience the camaraderie and encouragement of other hikers on the trail. Hiking traction devices like Kahtoola Microspikes, Nanospikes, or Yak Trax can help prevent a slippery fall. Whenever you feel like you need to stop, do it. Locals do climb the Incline in winter, but the steps can get pretty icy, so make sure you’re wearing the proper attire and footwear. Once you get to the 69 percent incline, you will wish you went a bit slower and saved your energy. The Incline is open from dawn to dusk, no matter the weather. The Incline trailhead is behind the Cog Railway parking lot. Then drive west on Manitou Avenue until you reach the roundabout in front of The Loop restaurant and The Mountain Man store. To reach the Incline from Colorado Springs, head west on U.S. The Manitou Incline Shuttle is free and saves the hassle and expense of attempting to park near the Incline. However you get there, don’t forget - the Manitiou Incline requires a free reservation. (I speak from experience.) For a much cheaper and less stressful option, park in Manitou Springs’ free public parking lot at 10 Old Man’s Trail (Memorial Park) and take the free shuttle to the trailhead. If you see a “No Parking” sign, heed the warning or else you’ll probably get a ticket. Be cautious about parking on the streets of Manitou for that reason. Parking along Ruxton Avenue costs $10 an hour on weekdays, but on weekends, many spots are reserved for people who live on the street. The Iron Springs Chateau offers 50 spaces at $5 for four hours. A spot in the Barr Trail parking lot costs $20 a day and requires a reservation. 9 mile / 1.4 km (plus nearly 3 miles / 4.8 km down Barr Trail) Elevation Gain: 2,020 ft / 615 m Base Elevation: 6,530 ft / 2012. The popularity of the Incline, especially on the weekends, makes it a little tricky to reach the trailhead. Manitou Springs Incline : Details and Directions Here’s the view towards Cameron’s Cone, the peak in the back right. The views from the Incline are a nice break from the unrelenting grades. Walking down the Incline steps is a no-no. When you reach that first patch of sky, you’re not at the summit yet you have a few hundred steps to go! Once you do reach the top, you’ll head back down via Barr Trail using the nice new connector trail on the left. It should also be noted: what looks like the top from below is a false summit. Keep going some of the hardest climbing is behind you! Of course, listen to your body too - there’s no shame in being smart. On your way up, you’ll notice a “bail out” trail on the left, which branches off to Barr Trail, a trail that goes to the top of Pikes Peak. Yes, I’ve seen newbies hiking on Colorado Springs trails-even scrambling across steep, slippery boulders-in FLIP FLOPS. Protect yourself from the sun with sunglasses, sunscreen, etc. And before you hit the trailhead, make sure you’re prepared: bring plenty-PLENTY-of water. EXPLORE Manitou Incline - 2,768 STEPS TO THE TOP American Explorer - YouTube Be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for new weekly contentToday. If you’re coming from a lower elevation, the high altitude (over 6,000 feet) makes the climb even tougher. You must pay $25 for all-day parking, but space is very limited.Going up the Incline near Colorado Springs Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Climb the Incline?Īnyone can climb the Incline, but it isn’t recommended for people with serious health issues or low fitness levels. Turn right onto Hydro Street and proceed to its end at the Barr Trail parking lot. Proceed about 0.8 miles along Ruxton Avenue Hydro Street. Turn right onto Manitou Avenue and proceed for 3 miles to Ruxton Avenue at the traffic circle. Trailhead Directions: Travel west on Highway 24 for 4 miles to Manitou Avenue exit. Overnighters reserve a spot at Barr Camp, a 6.5-mile hike from Manitou Springs, or about the halfway mark to the summit of Pikes Peak. Starting at 6,500 feet (2,000 meters) and ending at 8,590 feet (2,620 meters), the Incline is an almost straight shot of about 2,750 steps, 0.9 miles up Mount. For most tourists, that time is more like 1. This is the same trail followed by the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon. Washington Road Race Joe Gray broke the record for fastest ascent of the Incline in 2015, with a time of 17 minutes and 45 seconds. Recommended for experienced backcountry adventurers or those prepared for an overnight trip. A popular 26-miles heavily-trafficked out-and-back trail starting in Manitou Springs to the top of Pikes Peak.
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