Manitou Incline

Manitou Incline
Name	Manitou Incline
Caption	Incline remnants on a mountainside
Location	Manitou Springs, Colorado / Colorado Springs, Colorado
Elevation	8,590 ft (summit area)
Gradient	extremely steep (up to 68%)
Length	~0.88 miles (approx. 2,744 feet)
Opened	1907 (rail construction era)
Closed	1990 (rail operations ceased)
Rebuilt	stair conversion (1990s–2000s)

Manitou Incline is a former mountain funicular converted into a steep hiking trail on the eastern slope of Pikes Peak near Manitou Springs, Colorado and Colorado Springs, Colorado. The route follows the abandoned railbed of a 20th-century incline railway built for Broadmoor Hotel waterworks and later used for tramway operations, and it has become an internationally known fitness destination and trailhead for hikers and athletes. Ownership, access disputes and environmental concerns have pushed local, state and federal entities including El Paso County, Colorado, Colorado Springs Utilities, U.S. Forest Service, and City of Manitou Springs into management, permitting and restoration roles.

History

The original construction traces to early 20th-century engineering projects tied to Pikes Peak development, with roots in regional tourism linked to Broadmoor Hotel expansion and mineral springs promotion associated with Manitou Springs, Colorado. The incline’s rail era overlapped with infrastructure works such as pipelines and tram systems referenced alongside regional projects like the Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway and broader transportation efforts in El Paso County, Colorado. Decommissioning in 1990 followed structural damage amid heavy snow and maintenance challenges; subsequent local activism and fitness culture led to informal stair use beginning in the 1990s and formal closure and reopening cycles involving U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Governor, and municipal authorities. Litigation and policy discussions have included stakeholders such as Friends of the Incline volunteer groups, outdoor organizations like American Hiking Society, and legal representatives engaged in public land use matters.

Route and physical characteristics

The alignment climbs from a lower trailhead near Ruxton Avenue and Echo Canyon to the high-elevation ridge below Pikes Peak summit; the trail ascends roughly 2,000 feet in under a mile, with grades reaching about 68%, echoing steep engineering works like the Mount Washington Cog Railway and other funicular systems such as the Duquesne Incline. Tread consists largely of exposed railroad ties, rock steps and engineered switchbacks connecting to the Barr Trail and Pikes Peak Highway corridors. The corridor traverses ecosystems found in the Southern Rocky Mountains, including montane forests of Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir, and alpine transition zones near the summit approach. Seasonal snow, freeze–thaw cycles and intense solar exposure affect granular stability, paralleling concerns seen on routes like Mount Sanitas and Mount Evans access roads.

Usage and recreation

The Incline is a destination for trail runners, elite athletes associated with institutions such as U.S. Air Force Academy and Colorado College, and recreational hikers from the Front Range and visiting tourists from Denver, Boulder, Colorado, Phoenix, and other metropolitan centers. It features in training regimens for events including the Pikes Peak Marathon, Leadville Trail 100, and military preparedness programs at Fort Carson and Peterson Space Force Base. Group fitness classes, charity races coordinated with organizations like Rocky Mountain Conservancy and informal timed "daylight" ascents attract participants using tracking apps and race timing services operated by companies similar to Strava and Garmin. Adjacent attractions include Garden of the Gods, Seven Falls, and historic downtown Manitou Springs mineral springs.

Environmental impact and restoration

Heavy foot traffic has caused erosion, soil compaction, and vegetation loss similar to impacts documented at high-use sites such as Bright Angel Trail and Angels Landing, prompting restoration projects guided by principles used by Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and implemented by agencies like U.S. Forest Service and county conservation departments. Rehabilitation strategies have included engineered drainage, native species replanting with plants like Olympic daisy and local shrubs, and visitor education campaigns modeled after stewardship initiatives from Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Pacific Crest Trail Association. Nonprofit partners and municipal crews have pursued slope stabilization and trail hardening akin to work performed on Trail Ridge Road and volcanic trail projects in Yellowstone National Park.

Ownership, access, and regulations

Land management involves intersections among El Paso County, Colorado, City of Manitou Springs, U.S. Forest Service, and private easements tied to historic utilities such as Colorado Springs Utilities. Regulatory actions have included temporary closures, permit systems, carrying capacity studies, and enforcement coordinated with local law enforcement agencies including El Paso County Sheriff and municipal code enforcement. Policy debates have referenced case studies from urban-proximate public lands like Mount Lemmon and Roxborough State Park regarding parking management, shuttle services, and paid permit trials. Volunteer stewardship and advocacy groups have negotiated use agreements reflecting precedents from organizations such as Friends of the Incline and regional land trusts.

Safety and incidents

Steep gradient, altitude and exposure have contributed to medical calls, heat illness, cardiac events and falls, requiring responses by El Paso County Emergency Services, Pikes Peak Rescue, and volunteer search-and-rescue teams such as Pikes Peak Rescue Group. High-profile rescues and enforcement actions are documented in local media outlets like The Gazette (Colorado Springs), prompting signage campaigns, first-aid stations at events, and coordination with institutions such as Penrose-St. Francis Health Services and UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central. Incidents have driven policy changes including seasonal closures, mandatory turnaround times during storms, and public safety advisories modeled after alpine safety protocols from National Park Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Cultural significance and events

The Incline occupies a prominent place in regional fitness culture, tourism marketing by Visit Colorado Springs and local event calendars featuring endurance events, charity climbs, and athletic competitions drawing participants from organizations like USA Track & Field and military fitness circuits. It contributes to the cultural landscape alongside historic sites such as Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, Cripple Creek Historic District, and Old Colorado City Historic District, and is a frequent subject in outdoor media produced by outlets like Outside (magazine), Men's Journal, and regional broadcasters. The route has inspired artwork, photography displays in Manitou Springs Heritage Center, and academic studies by researchers affiliated with University of Colorado Colorado Springs and Colorado State University on urban-adjacent recreation and public land management.

Category:Trails in Colorado Category:Tourist attractions in El Paso County, Colorado