Most of the fitness fanatics here in the Springs have done the Incline… many go up on a regular basis. I have always wanted to hike the Incline but for one reason or other hadn’t gotten around to it. Yesterday, my 14 year old son decided that he’d like to conquer the Incline (on his birthday no less). So we set out as a family – birthday boy, 12 year-old brother, 9 year-old sister, my husband and me toward Manitou Springs and the intense trip up the trail.
We’ve hiked other trails around Manitou Springs and the Garden of the Gods. We used to regularly hike Waldo Canyon which is nearby. But like I said, this was our maiden journey up.
It’s just a mile right?
The Incline used to be an actual railroad taking tourists up the mountain to about 8,600’ until it shut down in 1990 – but the wood ties and the visible scar remain.
It is technically illegal to hike this trail but you wouldn’t know it from the abundant hikers that frequent the Incline.
View from the top.
It was a great day. We took our time hiking up – taking a few breaks and taking in the view from the top - what a great sense of accomplishment. Afterward, we jogged down Barr Trail back to the parking lot. Overall distance: 4.15 according to my Garmin. We all earned the ice-cream we enjoyed in Manitou Springs.
- Overall hike: 4.15 miles
- 1 mile up the Incline: starting at 6574’ ending at 8585’ elevation
- The average grade is about 40%, and the steepest grade is 68%
- The complete hike is 1 mile long and ascends over 2,000 feet in altitude.
- Jog down Barr Trail switch backs to return to start
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