Pikes Peak and Manitou Incline Hiking Journals

That's right, I am right there at the edge of a long and very steep drop. No Photoshop work here. It was a beautiful day. I wish you would join me, whoever you are.

It was time to begin my Colorado hiking adventure. For many years I have sought this trip, and so now it is time to just get out there. The hiking must get started immediately. First, I go to the Colorado Springs area where I will climb Pikes Peak.

What a day! I chose the Crags Camp Trail because, even though difficult, it is a thirteen miles round trip. That is within my day-hike range. The Barr Trail, though beautiful, is a twenty-six mile round trip.

I am very anxious to say the least. Training has been very intense. I live at 540 feet and today I climb to 14,110 to bag my first peak. I plan to start at 7:15 with a goal of leaving the peak by 1:00 pm. It would be great to have some new friends to join me in the hike. I am fully prepared to do these 14ers solo, but hiking with friends would be great, which is what I ask God for.

‍ I was anxious enough to get pulled over by a state police officer for speeding. Thank God he was kind and gave me a warning. Actually, I needed that to slow me and calm me. The parking lot has several groups preparing for the hike. Good. I will see people. The trail is incredibly beautiful. You should see my photos (I hope they are good). I am leap-frogging a couple groups for the first hour and a half on the trail. Finally, we take a break together. This is a very nice group and they ask me to join them. I have been thankful for the friendly and engaging people of Colorado.

All I can say is the trail was wonderful. There is so much beauty in this state. I see a plethora of wild flowers – blue, yellow, white, various shades of red, and purple. I get to see Colorado’s state flower, the Columbine. Marmots! They are such cool little animals. They make a chirping sound and sometimes watch us as we hike by.

My pace was good and steady. Altitude sickness is staying away from me. The training worked. As I make it past the tree line, just above 11,500 feet, I pause. This is now the highest I have ever hiked or skied. Passing 12,000, then 13,000, there is some fatigue, but no altitude sickness. The final stretch is a giant mountain of rocks, not unlike the peak of Mt. Washington, but this is much bigger. Around 13,500 feet I start to feel a bit light headed in the rocks. It is not too bad so I climb on.

Summit! My first 14er! I must admit, the new friends I made helped my climb. As it turns out, I did not slow them down.

‍ On the way down I see a herd of mountain goats. Today I have seen several animals and several plants I have never seen before. It was a great day with many new adventures and new friends.

Thank you God for giving me this view of your art, and for protecting me today.

Next I head to Twin Lakes and will attempt a few more 14,000 foot mountains.

Pikes Peak was an excellent start to my Colorado mountain adventures. It proved to be very addicting over the years. I have since climbed Pikes Peak every year. During the last six years I used the Barr Trail (but I got a ride down on the Cog).

Image Gallery. Click the arrows to view a few great shots.

Trail Head for 13 miles - one way

Looking down at Manitou Springs and the base of the Cog

Nobody seems to know the name of that rock. I call it Lady Pike. She is the Lady watching over the mountain.

Viewed from Woodland Park to the west of Pikes Peak. The mountain appears similar on eastern and western sides and occupies much of the horizon.

Viewed from a lookout near the Garden of the Gods. You are looking west toward Manitou Springs with manitou Inline and Pikes Peak behind.

Manitou Incline

I climbed Pikes Peak several times but never attempted the Manitou Incline. This year, I decided to correct that omission. I must admit, it looks ominous for a reason.

My arrival to Colorado Springs this year was on Tuesday (always a Tuesday), July 9, 2013. I like to arrive by noon so that I can settle in and get a good night’s sleep. I tend to get right after the mountains on the very next morning. My first climb was, in fact, Pikes Peak, from Crags, on Wednesday morning.

‍ Pikes Peak went very well. I felt strong and moved at a swift pace. The idea occurred to me on the way down that I should attempt the Manitou Incline; so my return hike down the mountain was slow. I tried to save the legs.

Manitou Incline attempt one: Thursday (July 11th), 8:00 am. Legs were a bit stiff, but I powered through. That Incline is incredible! It is every bit as tough as described. What a great workout. My time was under 50 minutes. I was pleased, but immediately motivated after hearing stories at the summit.

Manitou Incline attempt number two: The very next day. Yes, I was stiff. I was also very motivated. My time actually improved. It came down to just over 43 minutes.

Manitou Incline attempt three: I spent the next eight days climbing Colorado 14ers and mountain biking a couple resorts. It was a great, athletic vacation. After enjoying climbing in Colorado, I decided to rise early and attempt the Incline one more time. But it would have to be early due to my return flight back to PA. I was motivated. My time came down to 40min. 10s. I was motivated - maybe too motivated. I was completely wiped at the top.

I am happy with those times. Fifty-five years old (in 2013), from Pennsylvania, dealing with asthma and a back problem. I was also born partially crippled. Considering that I had such little time to acclimate, and that I climbed eight out of ten days, I feel great to achieve those times.

But I think I can go faster. It is hard to say how much faster without spending a couple months in Colorado to completely build all of the red blood cells I need. Who knows? Maybe one year I will have the motivation to set a new PR.

Since those first days on the Manitou Incline, I found myself testing my fitness on that Incline every year. I even found myself completing the Incline twice in one day. That will make you sore.

‍ My times have come down below 40 minutes. Carolyn has also started to enjoy the thrill of the Manitou Incline. It is now our annual marriage retreat.

* * While I am editing Ted’s journal (he can’t spell) it makes me feel anxious to get out there.

We hope to see you out there.

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