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| Hiking | 7.11 Miles |
2,417 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.11 Miles | 3 Hrs 15 Mns | | 2.19 mph |
| 2,417 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I walked up the Manitou Incline, all 2,768 steps. Then took the Barr trail down roughly 3 miles to the bottom. I could not find any free parking anywhere near the incline so I just parked down by the Manitou Elementary school. Some locals told me that there are no restrictions on the alleyway behind the school, so I parked there, then walked West toward Ruxton Ave, and went up from there. When I got to the incline, I saw many people there, going up and others coming down. It was a relatively busy area that probably gets hikers all year round, even when it's near freezing. I started up the incline. Many of the stairs were railroad ties, sometimes stacked 2 high. Every time I passed an interval of 100, I saw a metal tag on the step that indicated the step count. The temps had to be around 32 degrees and I saw some crazy people wearing shorts and one guy without a shirt on. I don't know how they do it in that climate. I was wearing a T-shirt + a flannel shirt + a heavy leather jacket and jeans.
Anyway, I rested a few times along the way and made it to the top in about 1 hr 30 minutes if you take out breaks. At the top of the steps was a decorated tree and someone offered to take a few pics of me at the top. From here, I decided to take the Barr trail down. The Barr trail was very well maintained and not steep at all. The Barr trail had some nice shade in many places and some wooden fences/railings along the way.
Some people went down the stairs on the incline but it seemed very monotonous and probably hard on the knees. I saw a few people walking down the steps backwards, which looked strange and quite dangerous. They said it was better on the knees. But, if they tripped doing that it would be a bad fall, I'm sure. Anyway, I made pretty good time going down the Barr trail. Along the way there were a few signs. I can't imagine taking the Barr trail all the way to Pikes Peak. I believe it was 11.5 or 12 miles to the top and something like 7,200 feet AEG. A really difficult hike. I think if I try to hike to Pikes peak someday, I would attempt it from the West side which is only a round trip of something like 12 miles.
FYI - My Strava app took a dump and gave me scattered random points for the final 1/3 of the incline. When I got to the top I was able to start a new GPS track going down the Barr trail. Then, I joined the 2 tracks together and did some minor editing. I believe my stats are correct.
My Stats (based on my starting point):
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Distance (round trip) = 7.11 miles
AEG = 2,417 feet
Strava moving time = 1 hr 35 mins (up) + 1 hr 39 mins (down Barr trail)
Strava elapsed time = 2 hrs 24 mins (up) + 2 hrs 10 mins (down Barr trail) |
| _____________________
Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Anyway, I agreed on the condition we added some side sightseeing to the hike. Finally found a free place to park on the other side of town, but it goes past several of the 11 public Springs for which Manitou got it's name. Manitou was basically a victorian spa in it's heyday. Some of the most notable springs pictured in the photoset have been restored. They all have different mineral content, but most are naturally carbonated and quite tasty. They are free to the public so I brought a couple gallon bottles and took some home. 
There is info. on Mineral content etc. at this link:
Good day nice to get out with Kris and it was interesting to learn a little more history of the area.
I'm drinking some Stratton Springs right now! 
Then walked through Manitou and up Ruxton to do the Incline.
That's just Crazy! Even if I did this thing every day I could never find it fun.
