Manitou Incline — Attraction in Manitou Springs

I am a decently fit female in my 30s, currently doing short (1-3 mile) hikes once a week and doing peloton workouts 3-5 days a week when motherhood allows. I was able to leave my kids at home in New York, so the incline was high on my priority list. I chose to do it five days into my trip so that I would be as acclimatized as possible and have had a chance to do increasingly higher hikes in the preceding days. I should mention it is currently February 2024 and I was a little nervous about doing the incline with snow on the ground. However, the day of my hike it was about 50° and sunny with some snow on the mountain and trails. I Reserved my time slot the night before around 8 PM, and by then the 6 and 630 time slots were full. I chose 830 so I could sleep in, which I think was a great time as it was not too cold or too hot. Parking was easy to find, and an attendant came to my window to ask for $15, and he had change for 20. He directed me to the base camp, which had Porta potties that were decently clean. There was no one at the base camp to check in with when I arrived, but the path was rather obvious. There is actually a sign that recommends using spikes during the winter, and indeed I was very happy I had my micro spikes as there were many areas of impacted snow, loose snow, sleek ice, and gravelly mud. I don’t think I would like to have regular crampons as there is a decent amount of grating on the trail up and I wouldn’t want them to get caught. That said, lots of people did have full spikes and I only saw a few people not wearing spikes (and it did seem they were at a disadvantage). I did not have poles with me, nor did most people, though I did see a few people coming back down the incline with poles. I Personally would be way too terrified to go down the incline, but many people were doing it. anyways, I took many frequent short breaks so that I never got very short of breath, and I found bird watching gave me a natural frequency and duration to these breaks (download the Merlin app before you go! I saw stellar’s jay, mountain chickadees, white and red breasted nuthatches, juncos). From parking lot to Summit took me 1 hour 10 minutes with these frequent breaks, and the descent down barr trail, which took exactly 1 hour and is basically a beautiful switchbacking 3 mile trail with great views through rock formations and forest. Definitely wear layers, as I was down to my tank top by the time I reached the summit, though as I mentioned, it was an unseasonably warm day for February. I hydrated well before I went and drank a single 17 oz bottle that I carried with me and didn’t feel dehydrated by the end. Despite putting on sunscreen I did get a little pink on my cheeks. Afterwards, I drove into downtown Manitou Springs and ate lunch at the loft; it was amazing. Lots of shopping and a little arcade down there as well, and if you have more time, go to the Manitou Cliff dwellings, which were the only cliff dwellings I’ve been to that you can walk through and touch. I should also mention that it evidently is possible to get to pikes Peak from the incline, but signage indicated it was 10 miles further up the trail. Tempting, but not feasible for my current fitness level, time constraints, and water supply. To summarize, this is absolutely a manageable and very winter-friendly (arguably better in winter) hike as long as you can climb stairs and walk 4 miles and have a good sense of balance and footing. Bring microspikes, water, sunscreen, and binoculars; plan to...

Highly recommend All trails app. This was a life saver.

BARRE TRAIL ALL THE WAY if you are prone to anxiety, panic, claustrophobia, or feeling helpless.

The Barre trail is the most scenic view of the mountains, plenty of privacy for bathroom breaks, great places to break for snacks, and most importantly, it feels peaceful. Two stops will expose the Incline trail, so you will get photo opportunities without suffering the pain if you are not used to the physical endurance and toll the incline will have on your body.

Be aware you take the incline route you are stuck on there until you reach the first bail out point to Barr trial.

The incline is extremely intimidating if you have never done this before. If going up be prepared for your quads/ hip flexors to hurt. If you are going down your hip flexors and toes/calves/quad will hurt. Everything will shake. Muscles not worked to an extreme regularly will give out. We saw a couple of people fall because their legs gave out.

For either route ---Please make sure you at least have a water backpack. Hold at least 2 liters of water per bag per person because you WILL go thru it. Sweat towel is a plus. Hats/ one long sleeve in summer because it gets cold at the top. Oh and LOTS OF SNACKS! (Hold on to your trash) please take your breaks. If you have a heart watch try not to go over 180 often. If you hit it take a break.

Reservation is not required as it says online. We talked to CO regulars and they are not monitoring the internet submissions or reservations. So come thru last minute. If you are taking the BARR trail it is closer to the trail!! Drive past the Cog train depot and you will arive. Pay your time and go enjoy the views.

Portapotties are horrendous at the incline but the one at the Barr trail starting point is perfect. Or if the incline store is open if you make a purchase you can use a nicer bathroom.

For parking suggested by the Manitou Website - we didn't see the shuttle bus at pick up sites.

It was easier to drive up and pay the 10 bucks for the incline start point.

But if the incline is too extreme deff go the Barre trail route. Faster parking access.

You will not regret the Barr trail, you will save yourself an emotional outburst such as anxiety/panic/ helplessness.

On our way down the Barr we switched downward on the incline and we absolutely regretted. We only had views of the stairs, people struggling, and no exit. I felt so helpless and started crying than full on had anxiety. Super claustrophobic enducing. Pulled out of it and saw thru my tears another female by a tree going thru the same sensation. This is not talked about enough so I want to make sure people know reaching the top...

GREAT Hike. Here's what you need to know for first timers...

Bring at least 32-48 oz of ice water and a Gatorade per person!!!

The chipmunks are very friendly but please don't feed them.

They require reservations for a starting time slot. The reservation is free and up to 4 people for each one. You don't have to put in your card number but you do have to list each persons name. You can't park at the entrance. Park down at "Manitou Hiawatha Gardens - Parking and Shuttle." It's $1 per hour. I paid for 5 hours just to be safe. There is a bus stop right there and another one on the other side of the street next to open grass. The free shuttle that goes between this parking lot and the Incline is the stop by the grass. They require you to wear a mask on the bus. They had a pack of free blue ones when I went 06/23/2021. The bus ride is maybe 5-7 minutes. When you get off the bus they don't tell you where to go and there's no signs. There will be a parking lot to the left of the bus and another parking lot behind it up a hill. Start climbing up that hill through the parking lots. Note: this parking is to ride the train only. You cannot park here..... After you go to the back of the parking lots, go to the right and there are some porto potties (use now or forever hold it) and a dirt trail leading uphill behind the lot. That will take you to the starting point. At the start there are a couple of people with a folding table checking reservations and marking down the number of people going up. Online they say that they check your parking stubs but they didn't ask for mine. Hike away! Take pictures! Bring a grocery bag and pick up litter as you see it. Leave no trace. Stop and rest often. You're not supposed to hike down the stairs for safety. At the top there is a connection to the Barr trail and you can take that all the way back down (go left). It's about 4 miles of moderate to gentle downhill switchbacks. It took me about an hour and 20 to make it back down but I was walking fast. DO NOT RUN DOWN. People who hike the Incline then run down the trail just about always get injured. If you take the Barr trail down, you will come out at the trailhead for the Barr, not where the bus dropped you off for the Incline. But don't worry! It's not far. Walk down the hill out of the parking lot and to your left. You'll walk past all of the employee parking for the train. Then you'll see the bus stop where you can get back on and head back to your car. The bus drives through the town so look out the windows on your way back. Step 8. Post...