The Incline and Cog

Goal accomplished

Although not technically travel because it's in my home area, I thought I'd give a quick rundown of my hike up the Manitou Springs Incline. 

The Incline

It's something I've wanted to do for awhile, but wanted to do under perfect conditions. Yesterday presented the opportunity. 

Parts are easy; parts are very treacherous

The Incline is a big deal here -- it's the remains of a narrow gauge funicular railroad that was opened in 1907 to provide access to water tanks at the top of the Mount Manitou to provide gravity-fed water pressure for town. It quickly became a tourist attraction and operated as such until a rockslide in 1990 washed out the tracks. 

A Mule Deer following the route

Now a "trail," it climbs straight up the mountain - a mile long with a vertical rise of 2,000 feet. The grade exceeds 68 percent in places, making it more of a crawl/climb than a hike. 

It is an extreme trail (and crowded, too)

Because it has no shade, it is open to elements. That's why a perfect day was needed. Yesterday had cloud cover and temps ranging from the mid-40s to low-60s. 

I burn more at the gym

The climb took me a bit over an hour (I am admittedly slow; some folks do it in 20 minutes). It's not terribly difficult -- basically an uneven staircase with a few very HIGH steps. It's the altitude that slows you down. Even a local huffs and puffs at 8,500 feet. 

The view from the top is lovely: up to higher peaks and down to Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs out to the plains. 

A nice view, even if a bit hazy

Walking (or running as some do) down the Incline is not recommended because of the strain on knees. Instead, return is best via the Barr Trail, about 4 miles meandering down.

 

The way back

The Barr is the main route up to the summit of Pikes Peak. You can even see the Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway pass by as you hike. 

The Cog Railway heading to Pikes Peak

In all, I spent just over three hours, hiking up, exploring the summit and hiking down. 

Cog Railway to Pikes Peak

Then, I decided, what the heck, let's take the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak. I managed to buy a ticket 2 minutes before the last train of the day departed. 

Faster than hiking

Open since 1891, the Cog Railway operates all year long, taking visitors to the 14,115 summit of Pikes Peak.

 

View from the summit

Because it is on the opposite site of the mountain for most of the trip, the view is different than that from the Pikes Peak Highway. 

A waypoint on the route up

The grade is steep (12-19 percent) and the views gorgeous. 

The summit

Leaving 61 degrees at the bottom, we arrived at a windy, snowy, freeeeeezing summit. 

I had just hiked and didn't have a heavy jacket

And, back down again.

Trip Date: May 9, 2014