Manitou Incline to remain closed through May

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Manitou Springs City Council members are working on a plan to safely reopen the Manitou Incline, but it likely won't be reopened to the public before June.

During a city council work session Tuesday evening, council members instructed staff with the city of Manitou Springs to come up with a reopening plan for one of the most popular hiking trails in Colorado.

The plan is due by the council's meeting on May 26. They're also asking for public comment on the reopening plan.

The Incline was closed in mid-March because of concerns that hikers could easily spread COVID-19 while hiking up the 2,700 steps toward Mt. Manitou.

Though the trail is a partnership between the cities of Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs, the Colorado Springs government posted an update asking hikers to follow Manitou's guidelines and avoid hiking the Incline.

Despite the closure, however, the trail has still seen some traffic.

The Barr Trail remains open.