Visitors, economy brace for Incline closing Friday

Local outdoor enthusiasts are squeezing in their last trips up the Manitou Incline before it closes for repairs on Friday.

The Incline will close at 8 p.m. Friday and remain closed until early December — meaning it won’t be open this weekend during the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon races in Manitou Springs.

“We normally open the Incline between races,” said Sarah Bryarly, Colorado Springs project manager.” But this year, we want to just to allow the race to occur and not have to worry about additional traffic along Ruxton Avenue. And it helps the runners who haven’t liked dealing with foot traffic on the Incline.”

This is the second phase of safety improvements to the popular trail attraction. The first phase was completed after a similar closure in 2014.

The project includes repairing and replacing damaged retaining walls, cleaning up loose debris, adding more drainage structures, stabilizing the existing ties and stabilizing the surrounding slopes.

Officials said the Incline currently has several failed drainage structures. The new structures will reduce the velocity of water, an important factor in slowing erosion and ensuring the long-term use of the Incline.

Workers will start at the Incline’s base and stop past the halfway point, where the 2014 improvements were made.

The closure means a big change for Incline addicts like Steve Stermer, who runs the steep trail twice daily.

“I guess I’ll have to find some other trails,” he said. “There are a couple around that have a similar altitude gain over a little bit longer distance.”

The closure caught others by surprise.

“I knew it was closing, but I guess I didn’t realize how soon,” said Casey Shannahan. “Now, I guess I’ll go do the steps at the Air Force Academy.”

Some hikers were lucky enough to use the Incline on the day before it closes.

“I’ll turn 50 next week,” said Debbie King, of Flagstaff, Arizona. “I plan on hiking Pikes Peak, and the Incline is good training for that.”

The closure shouldn’t have a major impact on the local economy,” said Gwenn David, owner of the Avenue Hotel in Manitou Springs. “I didn’t notice it in 2014. This is actually a good time for repairs, because the summer tourist season is winding down.”

The $1 million project will be financed with a federal grant and money from the Colorado Springs Parks, Trails and Open Space Fund.