News
20th Anniversary 9/11 Incline Climb
There was a big turn out for 9/11 Manitou Incline tribute climb on the 20th anniversary of the attack. With the temperature climbing into the mid-90s, it was an extra challenging climb.
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Manitou Incline Reopens With Reservations
The Manitou Incline will reopen on August 6th, 2020 after being closed for nearly 5 months under the guise of covid-19 health concerns. The Incline will be open from 6 AM until 6 PM with free reservations required. There will also be parking restrictions.
“We want to thank all Incline users for their patience and continued patronage of this incredible trail that is such an asset to our region,” said Karen Palus, Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services director. “We’ve all experienced a lot of change this year, and we know it can be challenging to adjust to new protocols, so we again thank users and ask for continued patience as we all get accustomed to the new reservation system, which we believe will help effectively manage volume on the trail. Since climbing the Incline is no small feat, we hope you view the reservation wristband as a token of accomplishment that you wear with pride during and after your hike!”
Reservations can be made up to 7 days in advance. For the first two weeks, reservations are available for 35 people every 30 minutes. After that, the capacity will be increased to 45 people every 30 minutes. The reservations can be made online from the Colorado Springs Parks Department Incline web page.
Incline hikers will be required to park at either the Hiawatha Gardens parking lot and walk 1.3 miles to the Incline until the shuttle starts running again (around August 24th) or at the Iron Springs Chateau hiking parking. The Iron Springs parking is near the base of the Incline and is $10. Reservations for parking at Iron Springs is not required but highly recommended and can be made until the evening before through their FB page.
Manitou Council to Vote on Free Reservation System
After a long delay, Manitou Springs city council is scheduled to vote August 4th, 2020 on a Memorandum of Understanding with Colorado Springs to re-open the Manitou Incline. Colorado Springs will operate a free Incline reservation system.
The proposal will allow reservations to be made up to 7 days before desired hike date. Users must park at Hiawatha Gardens, the Iron Springs Chateau or arrive by foot or bike. Reservations will be limited to 45 per 30 minute window (35 for first 2 weeks).
It’s unclear how soon the Incline will be open if Manitou council approves the agreement. In a past presentation, Colorado Springs said that they could have a reservation available quickly.
Incline to Remain Closed
Manitou Springs city council voted on March 17th, 2020 to close the Manitou Incline due to health concerns with covid-19. It has remained closed since then.
With the state going from Stay at Home orders to Safer at Home on April 27th, many Incline users were hoping to be able to climb again. During a Manitou Springs council work session on the evening of April 28th, Deputy City Manager, Roy Chaney, presented 2 options for re-opening the Incline.
The options Chaney presented were to open the Incline with a phased approach or keep the Incline close until an active management plan is in place. The phased approach would be based on the state’s Stay at Home Order, Safer at Home and Protect Our Neighbors guidelines.
The suggestions for the Safer at Home phase included 6 foot markings at the base to demonstrate the required 6 feet of social distance, having social distancing ambassadors and allowing uphill traffic only. They also included the idea of asking people to only use the Incline on certain days or hours based on last name.
After the presentation there was also a discussion of having the port-a-potty company also provide hand washing stations due to concerns about people not being able to wash their hands. These would be placed both at the free shuttle drop off and at the Incline base.
The council decided with little discussion that their were many issues to be considered. They will spend the next month working with the city administration to work through questions. The will discuss the Incline again at the May 26th city council meeting.
You can email the Manitou Springs city council your thoughts. Please keep your comments respectful and constructive. Let them know what the Incline means to you and how you support Manitou Springs businesses. You can find e-mail addresses for Manitou Springs officials here.
Manitou Incline Closed Due to COVID-19
Manitou Springs city council voted on the evening of March 17, 2020, to close the Manitou Incline and the shuttle from the free parking lot on Old Man’s Trail. The cited concerns during the coronavirus pandemic. Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation was not notified as required by the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Colorado Springs and the City of Manitou Springs.
The Incline is closed as of March 18th and it’s unknown when it will reopen. The press release from Manitou Springs is below. Everyone stay safe and healthy during this time.
PRESS RELEASE 03/18/2020
Contact: (Alex Trefry)Position: (Public Information Officer)
RE: (Closure of Incline and Shuttle to Incline)
MEDIA RELEASE
The City’s number one priority is to protect its community, visitors, and employees. The City of Manitou Springs will close access to the Incline and the Metro shuttle to the Incline until further notice.
To reduce the transmission of COVID-19, the City will close the Incline as there are not suitable sanitization options available to those who visit the Incline. Additionally, the first responders who address emergencies on the incline are put into a high risk situation.
Due to the closure of the Incline, the Metro shuttle that visits the Incline will also be closed until further notice.
The Incline is an attraction that averages 1,000 visitors a day, and due to the current state of emergency, the City of Manitou Springs has found it in the best interest of the public, to close the Incline and the shuttle to the Incline until further notice.
“While we were reluctant to close the incline, we had far more grave reservations regarding public health”
-Mayor John Graham
Last Minute Christmas Gift
2020 Manitou Incline calendars are still available for ordering but won’t arrive in time for Christmas. If you’re looking for a last minute Christmas gift, calendars are available locally at Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort and Trails End Taproom.
$3 from each calendar will be donated to the Incline Friends. For more information and to order now, go to the 2020 Manitou Incline calendar order page.
Enjoy the photos but a calendar isn’t your thing? Use coupon code calendar2020 to get 25% off photos here.
Emma Crawford Coffin Races 2019
The Emma Crawford coffin races are Saturday October 26th, 2019 in Manitou Springs. Manitou Avenue will be closed from 9 AM to 4 PM and the Incline shuttle won’t run while Manitou Avenue is closed. The Iron Springs Chateau parking lot will only be open from 5:30 AM to 7:30 AM.
In addition to all the congestion from the coffin races, you can expect the top part of the Incline to be icy from the snow Wednesday night. Using traction devices such as Kahtoola Microspikes is highly recommended if you do hike.
First Snow of Fall 2019
The first snow of the season fell today, October 10th. The temperature dropped 58 degrees from yesterday’s high to the temperature this afternoon. The strong winds made it seem even colder.
The ties will be slippery for at least a while on Friday. The snow won’t last long though with the high expected to hit 50 on Friday and then back into the 60s and 70s for the next week. Of course this is Colorado and the forecast could change.
Firefighters 9/11 Tribute Climb 2019
412 first responders, including 343 firefighters, died at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. For the 4th year, Tech Sgt. RJ Gerry from Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Fire Department organized a 9/11 tribute climb of the Manitou Incline. RJ knew 2 of the firefighters that lost their lives on 9/11.
Several of them climbed with about 60 pounds of gear. It wasn’t quite as hot as it was for the 2018 9/11 tribute climb but it was still quite warm. Local news stations covered the climb and Fox 21’s Lauren McDonald made the entire climb in a fireman suit.
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Manitou Incline Closure August 2019
The Manitou Incline will be closed during the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon, Aug. 24 and 25, 2019, 6am to 5:30pm. The closures are implemented due to safety concerns during the events.
Runners will be on Ruxton and Barr Trail Saturday morning and most of the day on Sunday. Much of the parking near the Incline base will be closed off. Also search and rescue is involved with the running races so resources will be limited for potential injuries elsewhere.
