Will Hiking the Manitou Incline Become Legal?

The Manitou Incline is the Pikes Peak region's most popular hike even though it's not legal. The popularity isn't surprising because where else can you climb 2,011 feet in just over a mile? Fit people hike it because it's a great workout and less fit people do it just to say they did it.

In a front page article in today's Gazette, the possibility of hiking it becoming legal is discussed. The 2 reasons that the Cog Railway hasn't wanted people hiking it have been liability and parking issues.

The parking issues are real but not allowing people to hike legally hasn't really made a difference. It doesn't seem that the face it's illegal has kept people away. By not having it legal, the parking may be worse for the Cog Railway since they can't put up signs about where to park so it doesn't affect parking for people taking the Cog. In a post earlier this year, I discussed where and where not to park when hiking the Manitou Incline.

I can understand their concern about liability. Of course I think hiking or other activities should be at your own risk and there's always the chance you'll get hurt. Unfortunately some people always want to blame somebody else when something goes wrong. There have been discussions in the past about giving the Forest Service a easement through land owned by the Cog. The Forest Service already has an easement for part of Barr Trail.

Spencer Wren, manager of the cog railway, said parking is a problem but they can deal with it. He said, “At this point, liability is our No. 1 concern. We are working on some stuff to deal with it, and I can’t be more specific now. We’re close. At this point, I don’t want to say anything.” He said there may be news by spring.

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