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 Money for a Master Plan means plans to open the Mt. Manitou Incline can go forward. Great Outdoors Colorado is providing a $70,500 grant along with a $25,000 donation from a local philanthropic family for planning. Trails and Open Space Advocacy Director Bill Koerner is a member of the Task Force that will use the next six to nine months and come up with a plan for the "opening" process.The land is owned by Colorado Springs Utilities, the U.S. Forest Service and the Cog Railway. The Incline is not open to the public, although as many as 70,000 use it each year. The grants will be used for planning purposes. Opening the trail will likely require more money. The task force will work with Colorado Springs Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) as well as with Manitou Springs staff. A series of public meetings are being held to 'define success' and put together the plan.
The Mt. Manitou Incline was once the Mount Manitou Scenic Incline Railway. It was shut down in 1990. There are 2800 railroad ties, 2000 feet of vertical and has been featured in national publications as "the world's greatest stairmaster." It is private property with a prominent "no trespassing" sign at the lower end of the trail. But each day in good weather hundreds make the steep climb. Most users opt to take the Barr Trail back down which is a four mile stretch. The average grade of the one mile trail is just over 40%. The property is owned by the City of Colorado Springs, the Cog Railway and the US Forest Service.
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Several challenges face the task force including trail maintenance and trailhead parking. Those involved say getting the grant is a huge step to getting a plan in place.
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