Sunday, September 2

The Incline


A challenging opportunity in Manitou Springs (just west of Colorado Springs).


The Incline is an old railway bed for a cable car that used to take folks part way up Pikes Peak to a view at approximately 8,000 ft. In 1990 the cable car quit running and the railway bed has been used by hikers ever since.


Thursday I decided to attempt the incline while Calli was in class at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. From where I was staying in C Springs, I could easily see the incline cutting it's way up the mountain.


Basic Incline Statistics:




  • Beginning Elevation: 6,574 feet


  • Ending Elevation: 8,585 feet


  • Elevation Gain: 2,011 feet


  • Mileage: 1 mile


  • Steepest Grade: 68%


  • Average Grade 41%

45 minutes after I started I had made it over the last step. Somehow I made it up the incline. Climbing over every railroad tie, gasping for breath, dripping sweat, and taking frequent breaks.

1 comment:

Calli said...

i love how you do things...just do them. come visit colorado, do the incline, zip-line with all your heart, hike the second tallest mt. in the connected u.s!!! and i get to be a part of this? i love my choc-o-lot for sure!!