The Incline
 

I'm not sure if many of you are familiar with the Incline in Colorado Springs.

I live in the Springs and I've heard about the Incline for over 20 years. I used to just laugh and go "yeah, right".

The Incline is a popular hiking trail rising above Manitou Springs, Colorado, near Colorado Springs. The trail is the remains of a former 3 ft narrow gauge railway whose tracks washed out during a rock slide in 1990. The Incline is famous for its sweeping views and steep grade, as steep as 68% in places, making it a fitness challenge for locals in the Colorado Springs area. The incline gains over 2,000 feet of elevation in less than one mile.

Last year, I did the Incline.

I didn't post pics back then because I totally forgot to!
Since my trek up the incline last year, they shut it down and completely refurbished it, fixing broken railroad ties, exposed rebar (I have a scar on my right leg from rebar) and all kinds of issues it had. I hear it's great and when it cools down, I'm going back up, 50lbs lighter and hopefully with a better time (it took me 3 hours).

Here are some pics. The first is three quarters of the way up, looking down. The second is from the "false summit"; a totally mean area where it LOOKS like you're at the top but NO, you have 25 more steps, which seems like nothing, but OH.MY.GOSH and the third is me at the top.

Enjoy!

That's awesome! What a beautiful place! And I love "the look" in the 2nd pic, lol! You'll have to let us know how long it takes you to get to the top when you go back up, 50 lbs lighter!

I can't wait for the update to compare! That looks like such a challenge. It made me think about a trip we took to Clingmans Dome in the Smokey mountains a couple if years ago. I didn't even try to hike to the observation tower back then, but I'd love the chance to try it today!

Great! I have a friend who lives in the Springs, and she loves the Incline--but she is a real fitness nut. I love seeing your pics because now I finally understand what she is talking about. ;)

I love hiking and i gotta say that looks amazing!

How cool is that!

I live in the Springs too and the incline is lovely. I have neve made it to the top. I took the bailout at Barr trail. I would love to go this time next year. :)