So, you are feeling pretty adventurous, aye? Well, hiking up the Manitou Incline will definitely satisfy your craving for adventure. This is my third day in Colorado and my first time hiking the Incline. Since my experience is fresh, I hope you take some of my advice into consideration, so when you hike, you don't have to learn the hard way ... like I did.
1. Read up on what the incline has to offer.
Also, trust me, when they say that this incline is considered an extreme trail, they really mean it! People come from all over to train (like Olympic athletes!) or just to simply see how far they can really go, for fun, so don't be intimidated!
2. Water water water.
Bring plenty of it. You will get tired and need that satisfactory sip of rejuvenation. Also, here in Colorado, as you get higher, the water molecules in your body shrink a bit, making your skin dry and leaving you to feeling tired. Remember there are two ways to drink your water: sip it or gulp it. If you sip it, it will flow right to your blood stream, but if you gulp it, well, now you filled your bladder and there are no bathrooms on the Incline!
3. Pace yourself.
I figured this out the hard way. In the beginning it may seem easy, just a slight little 41 percent incline, innocent right? I can hike this at a swift, steady speed! HAHA, my mindset changed after the first hundred feet. Once you get to the 69 percent incline, you will wish you went a bit slower and saved your energy. Slow is the new strong.
4. Take a break ... or five ... or 100.
Whenever you feel like you need to stop, do it. This is a 2,000 foot climb, and phew, is it a lot of stairs! When stopping, make sure you stay standing or lean against something, stretch out those knees and do not sit; keep your heart rate going! This way you can catch your breath without completely losing momentum. P.S. don't forget to turn around and enjoy they breathtaking view (literally)!
5. Along with taking a break, BREATHE.
You are ascending a mountain and remember that yes, it is only a mile, but the vertical is 2,000 feet of elevation. P.S. if you focus on rhythmically breathing, you will be distracted from the fact that your legs are turning to jelly and could collapse at any second.
6. Don't get too excited; that is only the false summit you see.
The false summit looks like the top of the mountain when you are at the bottom, and trust me, once you are half way up, you are going to wish it was the top! Just remember, after the false summit, there is about 300 more steps till the top, but don't worry, that will be nothing compared to what you just conquered. But also keep in mind that it get's very steep and dangerous at this point.
7. Please don't walk down the incline the first time you hike it.
Instead, take the Barr trail down! This trail is a beautiful hike; you can see the surrounding mountains, hear the waterfall and see beautiful trees, flowers and rocks.
But before hiking down, don't forget to take a few pictures of you standing on top of your success!
Other little tidbit tips:
-Try all you want, but you probably won't find a close parking spot. I parked in payed parking down in Manitou springs. Just make sure to pack lots of quarters; your hike may take a while!
-People are uncommonly kind on the Incline. Everyone who attempts the climb automatically joins an elite group of adventurers heading towards a mutual goal. Don’t be surprised by words of encouragement, and don’t be afraid to pay it forward!
-You are going to see lots of people who make you feel out of shape. Children, a mom with a baby on her back, a barefoot man, hefty runners (yes, people are crazy enough to run up and down the incline ... but who knows, that could be you someday), for pete's sake even two grandpas and a dog passed me! Just remember, your only competition is yourself.
-After you survive the great Manitou Incline, reward yourself by taking a more cooled and relaxing trip to the top of Pikes Peak via the Cog Railway!
P.S. After this hike, I guess you can consider yourself one step closer to being an Olympian.
