Manitou Incline, Colorado
The Manitou Incline—known as one of the most dangerous hikes in America—climbs over 2,000 vertical feet in less than a mile and has sections as steep as 68% grade.
With over 2,000 steps, this hike is not for the faint at heart. Although a handful of people have created world records here, even more people have lost their lives attempting the climb.
Location
The Manitou Incline is a popular hiking trail rising above Manitou Springs, Colorado, near Colorado Springs. The Incline ascends on the east slope of Rocky Mountain which is itself on the eastern flank of Pikes Peak.
Quick History
The trail is the remains of a former 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge funicular railway whose tracks washed out during a rock slide in 1990.
Annual Visitors
The Manitou Incline is extremely popular, seeing an estimated 70,000 annual visitors ranging from 7-70 years old.
About the Incline
The Manitou Incline is referred to by locals as “the incline”, and it is a strenuous hike tailors to experienced hikers only.
Difficulty Level
There are a total of 2,744 stairs that climb 2,000 vertical feet to the summit. It is physically strenuous (extremely) and visitors are strongly urged to reconsider if they don’t feel up to the challenge.
No Downhill Climbing
The incline is so extreme that downhill use is strongly discouraged. There is a separate trail used for going back down, called Barr Trail.
Use Caution
Weather conditions make the Incline even more dangerous—particularly during thunderstorms.
Colorado ties for 4th place in the number of lightning-related fatalities, so it is strongly encouraged to start early and get off the mountain as soon as storms start looming.
The Bailout
The Bailout is a false summit about two-thirds of the way to the top, and it is the closest some come to tackling the Incline.
This is where the Incline meets up with Barr Trail.
Barr Trail
Barr Trail was starts at this spot specifically for hikers who need to “bail” on the hike due to exhaustion. It is the safest way back down the mountain. However, the Barr Trail still has 1300-1800 steps.
Average Time to Complete
According to Manitou Springs’ website, “seasoned Incliners and Olympic athletes may summit in under 30 minutes, but most hikers complete the Incline in 1 hour or longer.”
Length of Trail
The Manitou Incline is about .9 mile (1.4km) – plus nearly 3 miles (4.8km) down Barr Trail to get back to the bottom.
Elevation & Grade
Elevation Gain: 2,020 feet (615m)
Base Elevation: 6,530 ft (2,012m)
Summit Elevation: 8,550 ft (2,606m)
Steepest Grade: 68%
Average Grade: 41%
Record Breakers: Fastest Person to Complete
On September 12, 2023, Swiss mountain runner Remi Bonnet, set a verifiable satellite-tracked record of 17 minutes and 16 seconds, breaking his own record of 17 minutes and 25 seconds a year earlier.
Johann Conus, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Record Breakers: Fastest Woman to Complete
On July 29, 2010, Allie McLaughlin recorded the fastest known time on the Incline for a woman, with a time of 20 minutes and 7 seconds.
Gianina Lindsey, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Record Breakers: Consecutive Trips on the Incline
In 2012, local resident Ed Baxter, 58, became the first person to complete the "Inclinathon", 13 consecutive trips up and down the Incline in one day. He completed it in just over 13 hours.
Record Breakers: Inclinathon
That same year, Brandon Stapanowich broke the speed record for an Inclinathon at 11 hours 46 minutes.
And in 2014, Brandon completed the first ever Ultra-Inclinathon, completing 22 laps of the Incline in 24 hours, the most ever completed in a day.
Record Breakers: Multiple Times in One Year
In 2011, Greg Cummings (a local resident with Type-I Diabetes) became the first person to hike the Incline more than 500 times in one year.
He went on to break the record a few more times in the coming years, adding his name to the World Record books many times.
Record Breakers: Woman Record Holders
In 2022, Rachel Jones of Colorado became the first woman to climb the Incline 1,000 times in a year.
And on February 5, 2023 Chasidey Geissler broke the female world record with 1,004 laps in 311 days. She finished her 365-day year on March 31, 2023 with 1,222.
Record Breakers: First Quadriplegic
In 2022, Patrick Rummerfield climbed the Manitou Incline unassisted. He is the first fully functioning quadriplegic man to summit, with a time of 6 hours, 1 minute and 23 seconds.
Record Breakers: Oldest Known Climber
In September 2023, Jim Strub of Colorado Springs became the oldest known person to have climbed the Incline at 94 years old, alongside his son Jordon and friend John.
Dangers
Although the Manitou Incline holds many names of brave souls who have conquered the summit in record times, the steep staircase holds various dangers that have cost numerous people their lives. There is a need for constant rescue efforts, many of which end in tragedy.
Emergencies
Every week, and sometimes even daily, firefighters have to trek up the thousands of stairs to rescue ill-prepared hikers.
It can take 3-4 hours for first responders to reach you in the event of a medical emergency, which is why it cannot be stressed enough that you only attempt this hike if you are confident in your abilities.
Fatalities and Rescues
Unfortunately, fatalities and rescues are not uncommon on the Manitou Incline. Hikers are warned about the potential dangers numerous times, on the website, during booking, upon arrival, and even via signs along the hike.
Additional Bailouts
Additional bailouts have been considered at lower elevations and including easier inclines, but funding remains a concern.
Ixbrian, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2009 Fatality
In June of 2009, a 61-year-old man—and a respected litigator in Colorado Springs—suffered a heart attack moments after reaching the summit. Other hikers administered CPR, but he had passed before search and rescue reached him.
He was an avid hiker, in excellent shape, and had already climbed the Manitou Incline before, along with many other massive mountain hikes.
U.S. Air Force, Wikimedia Commons
2012 Fatality
In 2012, a 58-year-old woman experienced cardiac arrest while hiking the Manitou Incline. Despite revival efforts by an off-duty paramedic who happened to be climbing the stairs at the same time, the woman didn’t make it.
The woman had been a physical education teacher and a two-time finished of the Pikes Peak Ascent—a grueling 13.3 mile race to the 14,115 foot summit of Pikes Peak.
Charles Williams, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Another 2012 Incident
In May of 2012, search and rescue responded to a call for a hiker on lower Barr Trail who was experiencing chest pains and had a cardiac arrest after they reached him.
Fortunately, they were able to successfully defibrillate him.
Ixbrian, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2015 Fatality
Similar to the other incidents, a 63-year-old man also experienced cardiac arrest more than halfway up the stairs and passed before first responders to get to him.
2019 Fatality
In 2019, another 63-year-old man perished after having an apparent heart attack while hiking the Incline. First responders were able to reach the man, but despite CPR efforts from both civilians and medics, the man didn’t make it.
Mary Spickelmier, Shutterstock
Pets
Pets are not allowed on the trail. This is due to the dangerous and strenuous conditions of the trail. In order to protect yourself, other visitors, and of course your pet, the no pet rule is strictly enforced.
Preparation
It is imperative that you come prepared to tackle the Incline. Bring plenty of water, wear proper footwear (no sandals), and use caution in unpredictable weather—especially precipitation of any kind.
Reservations
All visitors are required to make a reservation online before their hike. Reservations are available 6am-6pm daily.
You can reserve more than one slot at a time, and you may also reserve time slots for others, including group reservations that include four or more hikers.
Capacity
The number of visitors on the Incline is monitored and scheduled, to ensure safety of everyone.
Current capacity includes:
- 6 a.m. – 10 a.m.: 65 people every 30 minutes
- 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.: 45 people every 30 minutes
- 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.: 25 people every 30 minutes
Pricing
This incredible hike is free to use, but please consider making a donation to Incline Friends to help keep the Incline in good condition for years to come.
Parking
Parking at the base of the Incline is not free, however there is a free shuttle that runs from downtown Manitou Springs to the base of the trail.
Ahodges7, CC BY-SA 3.0 , Wikimedia Commons
Other Hikes
The difficult of the Incline is not for everyone. There are a number of mountain trails that are better suited for casual hikers, such as: Red Rock Canyon Open Space, The Intemann Trail, and Columbine Trail.
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