The Incline

Sounds good. I will see you there!

Great job on the incline this morning Carrie! Pushed me big time. Thanks.

The incline parking was a mess this morning. Hydro road has been repaved, but it looks like they are just starting on the Barr Trailhead lot. It is still closed. About half the parking on the wall across from the depot is blocked off for the paving crew. The builders of the town homes have a crane parked in the spaces in front of the town homes. At 6 am, I parked well below Iron Springs, and that was only because someone just left.

Thanks for the update, Dave!

Mark your calendars for June 24. There will be a meeting soliciting public input concerning the master plan for the Manitou Incline. It is at 7 pm at Manitou Springs Memorial Hall. More info to follow.

Has anyone else seen the bear that crosses at the bottom? He was very friendly, no cubs, and went right on down to check the trash at the Cog. Its so nice when we can respect each other and share space! Saw him around 6pm on Thursday

What's the record for running down the incline? Though I didn't time it, I took some pictures near the top, middle and bottom of my run and think I ran it in about 15 minutes. I'd love to know what the record is should I ever go back and do it again.

update for the Honor Roll:

Sonal Modisette, age 40, 39:49 from the first tie.

Way to go Sonal!

Here is the official info on the Incline public meeting:

Block out the evening of Thursday, June 24th on your calendar. That’s date of the first of a series of public meetings that will provide everyone the opportunity to have a hand in creating a management plan for the Manitou Incline. The plan is important because it will guide future decision-making about public recreation at the Incline. Please arrive for the workshop at 7 p.m. at Manitou City Hall, 606 Manitou Ave.

As you know, the Incline is private property and posted “No Trespassing.” Public access on the Incline is not allowed and trespassing is illegal.

For more information, please contact Aimee Cox at 719-385-5632, or aicos@springsgov.com

Is that really true? I ran up Barr and came down the Incline and never saw any signs. There must've been at least 50 people on their way up. If I was trespassing, I sincerely apologize to whomever it may concern. It seemed a natural part of the trail system to an out-of-towner.

Bernie- there is a sign towards the bottom so that people going up can see it. Coming down, you'd never see it. I just hope the talks turn out best for everyone. There are a lot of people that love the Incline and also a lot of people that finish it and have such a sense of accomplishment that it inspires me!

Update for Honor Roll

Geoff Lindquist, 36:29 from first tie June 3 2010

Yes, we are trespassing (estimated 70,000/year!) The top third of the incline is Forest Service land, the middle third is owned by the Cog, and the bottom portion is owned by C/S Utilities.

The intent of the task force/planning process is to develop a master plan that addresses officially opening the incline to public use. It will deal with access, parking, safety, maintenance, etc. Please attend the public meeting so that the user input is heard. To be sure the Ruxton residents will be there (and they have legitimate concerns).

My husband and I have enjoyed the incline for years - before it became popular. Due to schedules we climb in the early (before 6am) morning. The parking has become such an issue and it is our hope that the access issues can be resolved in a positive manner for all incliners and the residents. This morning we chose to avoid the madness and opt for a quieter venue - which is always disappointing. Let's all think out of the box and try to come up with a solution to the access issue. Also, since it is illegal, why are the armed forces advocating this as an official training exercise? It would be great if they worked on the transportation issue to avoid impacting the GP and also organized some work days? We love the incline!

Some of us were above the Incline near the Longs Ranch Road to pick up a misrouted hiker when a large bear ran right across the road in front of us. I know there has to be several of them out there, so please use caution when venturing away from the beaten path, especially if you're alone. I know most folks just go back down the Incline or take the nasty "luge run" back down to the Barr Trail, and you're less likely to encounter bears in that heavily traveled loop. (but it WAS cool to see the bear!!)

For the honor role, I am 37 and had a PR this morning, June 4 2010 of 28:18. My previous PR of 28:32 was set back when I was 30. My good friend Dave Hendrix pushed me up the hill.

5/4/2010- 31:29 from the first tie of course

I don't know why everyone complains about parking. If you're a hard core inclineian, you'll just park in Manitou and run up Ruxton anyways. I always love passing the cars going 1mph trying to find a spot to park, and I usually end up starting the incline by the time they find a spot! And if people can't make it up ruxton, I wonder if it will ever get to the point of a shuttle? Maybe every hour or 1/2 hour. Charge by the ride, or the week or a yearly pass and help pay for maintenance! Buy 4 rides, get the 5th free! I don't know, but at least there would be less cars on the side of the road for the people who live there. I hope to attend the meeting!

Wonder what the record is from the bottom of Ruxton?!? hehe

I was on the trail this morning (going to Barr Camp, no incline today) and when I started at 6:00 there were a number of parking spots on Ruxton. When I got down (9ish) it was packed and there were a number of people driving up and down to find something (one car passed me four times). I parked on the back side of Soda Springs Park. When I parked I was the only car there and when I returned there were still a number of spots. If you don't want to do the whole walk/run from Memorial, try Soda Springs!

And BTW, I may be preaching to the choir, but remember that no matter how fast you are going downhill and how slow others are going uphill, uphill still has the right of way (sorry had to get that out)!

I think a bike valet somewhere along Ruxton would be a great idea. That way Inlcine climbers could ride there, leave their bikes at the valet, do the Incline and ride home. This would be a huge workout, especially for those riding a long way, but some could transport their bikes to Old Colorado City or Manitou where parking is available, then ride.
I don't feel comfortable leaving my bike locked up in the Barr Trail parking lot, but I have seen several people riding there to do the Incline or hike Barr. A bike valet that charges $1 to keep your bike safe, might encourage more riders, and more riders means fewer cars.
The Metro Rides Colorado Springs Bike Month+ folks have hosted successful (free) bike valets at several events this year. We need more of them in more places.

A bike parking lot would be great, I was there around 8 this morning, and could not find a parking spot, I ended up parking at memorial park (took me forever to find, but found it), then ran to the beginning of the incline, did the incline and back down barr trail for the first time. A really nice feeling, was a wonderful day, nice scenery, and forgot my camera in the car, next time.

New time. 34:05 this morning from the first tie.

Dave! Nice work...you cut your previous best by 1:55, right?

Yeah Tim, and it's your fault! I had never timed myself (in 7 years) until I joined this group. Now, I'm wondering what I can do and my legs really feel it.

didn't know if these dates have been posted yet but here are more Incline talks:
Posted : Jun 8, 2010 7:47 AM, by Bea Karnes

Hiking, biking and running the Manitou Incline are all on the table, as the cities of Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs explore the recreational use of the base of Pikes Peak.

Trail and trailhead design, parking and traffic--it will all be addressed at three public meetings to be held in July.

If you plan to use the Incline, you're encouraged to come to the meetings and give your input. In other words--don't complain about decisions after they've been implemented, help make the decisions now. Maybe you've thought of something that no one else has.

All meetings will be held at Manitou Springs City Hall:

· July 13th - Traffic and Parking Focus Area Session, 6 - 9 p.m.

· July 14th - Trails and Trailhead Focus Area Session, 6 - 9 p.m.

· July 15th - Management and Operations Focus Area Session, 6 - 9 p.m.

For more information, contact Aimee Cox at 719-385-6532.

Thanks Randi. Those are some good dates and meetings to know.

Oh how I love the incline. My 3rd time up last fall is my best at 29:57.

do dreams count for the honor roll? Haha, last night, I was so bummed about my slower time, I dreamed that I did better...WAY better. 23 minutes! haha

Don't forget! This Thursday- Incline Happy Hour! New to the incline? Great! First time to an UpaDowna event! Super! Meet around 5pm at the "no trespassing" sign of the incline and we'll work our way up at different paces. Go back down the incline or run down Barr...meet up again at Kinfolks for drink specials and good conversations! Also, we may have some sweet UpaDowna items for sale! Hope to see you there! Feel free to let us know you are coming so that we can meet you there!

new PR! 36 mins from first tie. June 16 2010. Oh I'm 26 years old: )

OK, I meant June 18. And I don't have a more specific time because I forgot my watch. Next time!

wohoo Katie!

Way to go Katie!!!

Well I went on Thursday, unfortunately I wasn't able to make it by 5 due to work - that darn work thing LOL Arrived at 5:15 but my time was approximately the same due to my softball injury - oh well the view was spectacular as always!!!! maybe this coming Thursday I can make it by 5:00 p.m.

Man, three rescues in four days on the incline? This meeting is going to be heated! Anyone else going?

I'm going.

I must be out of the loop as I only heard about the guy who impaled his leg - when did other ones happen and what was the situation

The other 2 rescues didn't make the news, and actually took place on Barr Trail between the overlook and the social trail, rather than on the Incline itself. Those easily could have been folks going up either the Barr Trail OR the Incline, who happened to get injured during the hike/run back DOWN the Barr Trail. Therefore, those "shouldn't" have a bearing on the Incline meeting.

Hey Deb, thanks for being up there. We're all in your debt.

I'll be at the Manitou Incline meeting tonight. Say Hi if you're there.

sitting at the bottom of the incline this evening just minding his own business was a very beautiful, big black bear. i kept slowly walking toward it and it looked up and made eye contact like why was i bugging him like this, then slowly meandered into the woods. and did i take its picture with my I-phone? of course not!

There was a lot of talk about the "Incline Bear" last night at the Manitou Incline workshop.

And there are reports of a Manitou Springs bear that was put down by the Division of Wildlife on Thursday. Apparently the bear broke into an apartment through a window and raided the fridge.

Check out this Gazette "opinion" article... http://www.gazette.com/opinion/incline-100603-monday-hiker.html. Interestingly, most of our SAR missions actually involve the Barr Trail, with only a few on the Incline. Does anyone know the exact ownership of the Barr Trail, is it similar to the Incline in how it is parceled? Also, parking will continue to be an issue, Incline or no Incline, because of the Barr Trail.

Debbie, thanks for the link and comment. I think people in this community realize that there are better solutions than those presented by The Gazette. After attending the workshop last night, I can see that people sincerely want to work together to find an Incline solution that benefits all. Your insight as a member of Search and Rescue is invaluable. Thanks for posting.

I believe that the Barr Trail is wholly within the Pike National Forest. The trailhead parking lot is owned by CS Utilities.

The Incline overview document says, "Coincidentally, the USFS Barr Trail, also crosses Cog
property. USFS has a trail easement through the property that protects the Cog from liability."

i'd hate if the bear i saw was put down. he was a beautiful animal. i saw him about 8 pm thursday evening, so he was still around then . . .

Interesting... I saw a black bear at the Barr Trail Head at the beginning of the month.