Manitou Incline 🧗♂️ - 2744 steps, 1 mile, 2000 feet
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- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- The Manitou Incline! According to experts out there, it's considered one of the most challenging hikes in the United States.
- 2744 steps (really 2768 steps)
- 1 mile
- 2000 feet elevation gain
Yet, here's the thing...there's really no rush. It's not a competition. You can stop at any point in time, take a seat on the steps or catch shade beside a tree.
But, if you're trying to make it to the summit as fast as possible, then yeah, it's an absolutely ferocious climb, lol.
I was so consumed with recordings and picture takings, I lost track of how strenuous conditions were.
It took me 90 minutes to get to the top of the mountain. And that's with taking occasional breaks and soaking up the beautiful views the higher I went.
Overall, I don't think it was the hardest hike I've done.
It was very, very difficult...but I can think of 12 and 13 mile day long trips being harder than this, which was just a (brutal) late afternoon activity.
Still, I enjoyed the hike. I met people along the way. Got to share stories with others. Once I made my final last steps up, there was a group of spectators congratulating me :)
Then at the summit, although there's no sign stating you survived The Manitou Incline, everyone was taking photos of each other viewing down on the daunting looking staircase.
I used 20 minutes at the top to catch my breath and appreciate the scenery from high above. I even had time to talk with fellow hikers who all seemed to be friendly like we were part of a community together. In the end, everyone appeared to leave the summit with upbeat stories to relay when all was said and done.
Here are extra details...
- It's free to hike but because of its popularity, reservations are required. You can do that at manitousprings.org. Then, pick your day and time.
When I checked for late June, all the morning time slots were occupied but afternoon times had plenty of availabilities. I chose a 2pm reservation. They sent me a confirmation email.
And funny...when I arrived at the trailhead, there was no security even checking reservations. Anyone could have randomly showed up and started hiking.
- Parking is difficult to find in the town of Manitou Springs. In my confirmation email, they provided a list of parking lots for you to choose from when arriving.
The most popular lot was located at...10 Old Mans Trail. If you plug that address into Google Maps, you should be fine.
But...you have to pay for this parking. It's cheap though.
I arrived at 2pm and the meters charge rates until till 6pm. It cost me $7.50. Leave the receipt on your dashboard.
- From 10 Old Mans Trail Parking Lot, you have two options for arriving at Manitou Incline Trailhead.
Either...walk through the town of Manitou Springs which will add about 1.3 miles extra, each way.
Or...take the free bus shuttle which runs every 20 minutes. I took the shuttle each way and found it to be the worthwhile way to go.
Plus, the bus driver was informative instructing hikers where to exit the bus and where to stand when returning.
- Btw, you have 2 options for coming back down to the bottom of the trail...
1. You can obviously take the staircase again, but keep in mind because of the extreme nature of the incline/decline, be cautious with your footing. One stumble and you can fall really hard, really fast and severely injure yourself.
2. There's a hiking pathway beside the steps that takes you through the mountains. I believe people said this trail goes for 3 miles down, so it's a chance to bask in nature and take a different direction.
I took the staircase back down. I was not ready for the experience to end, so I enjoyed taking my time and watching fellow hikers attempting their journeys.
Plus...it drizzled just a little, and afterwards when the sun peaked from the clouds...there was a stunning, fully arched rainbow standing high in the sky! I was in awe and stopped to revel in the moment. I thought to myself, lol...could this be as good as it gets? Being in the middle of one of the most renowned hikes in the USA and I'm getting a bonus view of a colorful rainbow!?!? Yes please, and thank you to the great outdoors.
- I brought a backpack with me that included two - 20 ounce Powerades and a towel. That's it. In fact, I didn't even finish my first bottle by the time I completed the hike.
- For 2pm in the day, the heat wasn't a factor. There was a nice breeze going the higher I climbed. Standing atop the summit at 4:30pm, the sun was at my back which was great for picture taking.
Finally, The Manitou Incline is one of a kind wonder. Visitors to Manitou Springs are intrigued by how hard you must work to feel rewarded. Just like me, they want to put themselves to the test and challenge their inner strengths to the limits. And when you successfully reach step 2744, it's a natural high feeling that's hard to replicate.
#manitouincline #manitousprings #hiking #nature #greatoutdoors #coloradosprings #colorado #challengeyourself #testyourself #summit #views
Nice hike! The air is thinner up there too.
Kimberly! Thank you so much for taking the time to watch. Means a lot 🤗
Enjoy hiking❤❤
Hope you're having fun Seth
Hey Bert I believe from Gloss Mountain! Hope you’re doing well 👍. Thanks for the reply, appreciate it
If you climbed the Incline, you would notice that it's 2768 steps. It took you 1.5 hours ?!? 😢 Don't recommend walking down, more fun to run down Barr Trail
Come and do the Grouse Grind in Vancouver BC - 2.5-km (1.55-mile) ascent, with an elevation gain of 800 metres (2,624 feet), 2830 steps. The steps aren't as nice as those though
That’s a great point. I was at Grouse Grind last year but didn’t do my homework about the hike. Instead I took the gondola to the summit. What a missed opportunity. I’ll have to return to Vancouver. Thanks for the mention 😊
@@SethAugust You came here and didn't do it!! I mean, the gondola is pretty BUT you can take it down 😂
I admit, I didn’t know the hike existed till after the fact. But there were hikers taking the gondola back down and it had me questioning things. It was actually a TikTok post I discovered that Grouse Grind was a famous hike, and not just a mountain 🤦♂️
May I ask what are some of your favorite hikes?
@@SethAugust Oh no! Well, another trip is warranted. I actually don't do the grind much anymore because it is SO busy but there are so many here depending on your experience (how far away from people you can be/are prepared to be) and fitness level. There are many great 'popular' hikes, like the BCMC that runs parallel to the grind but it is not as groomed. Then there is St. Marks over at Cypress Bowl, another heavily trafficked hike, but if you are experienced and have the gear, you can go a lot further on the Howe Sound Crest Trail which is a through hike. You can do lots out in the Fraser Valley like Lindeman lake, another well trafficked excursion and if you better prepared you can continue on to green drop lake. Cheam is another great Fraser Valley hike. There is a lake loop at Buntzen. These are all ones that more people do, so more chances of you getting help if you need it. Our back country stuff is no joke and unfortunately many people need rescuing by SARs because they were ill prepared.
What temperature was it?
It was very pleasant for late afternoon. 70 something degrees
It would be better to walk to the side of the steps
That’s a good point to safely catch your breath and take in the views
Pretty sure you're not supposed to go down the steps
You have the option to do both
@@SethAugust It says on their website not to