Update on hikers disobeying Manitou Incline closure, needing rescue

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Manitou Incline has been closed for months, there are signs throughout Manitou Springs alerting people of the closure and the most popular Incline group on Facebook has dozens of posts talking about the closure, yet some hikers are ignoring the closure and then calling for help from El Paso County Search and Rescue.

A post was shared on the organization's Instagram page Friday, saying, "We are still rescuing folks off the Incline, regardless of the closure. Please be safe and aware of the heat."

EPCSR's Facebook page indicates the latest rescue happened July 1 when a runner suffered a hip injury on Barr Trail near the top of the Incline. Another post stated the team responded to a report of an injured hiker on June 24, but that the call was ultimately handled by the Manitou Springs Fire Department.

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office said Monday that a third Incline rescue was performed in May. Details of the May and June rescues are unclear, and officials were unavailable Monday to provide more information.

Temperatures near Manitou Springs topped 90 degrees last week, and there are no options to replenish water near the top.

The popular trail, which ascends nearly 3,000 stairs up Mount Manitou, is temporarily closed due to a combination of safety precautions for COVID-19 and a dispute over parking management between Manitou and Colorado Springs. A group climbed the Incline last month in protest of the closure, but no further action has been taken.

No estimate has been given on a timeframe to reopen the trail, but the two cities are working on a reservation system to use it.