Challenge accepted. My co-worker and friend, Neil, agreed to tackle this hike together on our day off. We beat traffic with an early start, and took our first step at 7:30 am.
I made sure to pace myself at the relatively flat bottom portion. Hydration was also key.
Nevertheless, it wasn't long until my heart rate shot up and the adrenaline started pumping.
Fellow climbers encouraged one another as we climbed slowly but surely, now and again pulling off the side to take a breather--and to admire the view below.
About three-quarters of the way up lies the "false summit." From here, 300 more steps finally take you to the top.
While the record is somewhere around 16 minutes, Neil and I made it up in an hour. Not bad for our first time!
We took a much-needed rest at the top, agreeing that the weather was near perfect for our purposes. A brisk morning with just enough clouds to keep us cool--which is not to say that we weren't sweating profusely.
On the way down, we connected to the Barr Trail, descending gradually to the base of the mountain through a series of switchbacks. Stellar views of the Cameron Cone and distant fourteener, Pikes Peak, lay around each corner. If we had gone the other direction from the Incline, we would have ultimately reached the summit of Pikes Peak (several hours later).
The sweeping view in the other direction was an equally beautiful display of the Springs and beyond.
After our morning work out, Neil and I wandered through charming downtown Manitou Springs, indulging in pizza and cinnamon-roasted nuts! I noted the Incline in the distance, seemingly so far away...
