Someone *ehem*husband had the silly idea of putting Manitou Incline on our To Do list for our Colorado road trip. As we drove towards Manitou Springs near Colorado Springs, we spotted a line cut straight up a mountain.

Our conversation went something along the lines of:
Husband: I think that might be it.
Me: That? That can't be it...
Husband: I think it is!
Me: No way!
Husband: It has to be...
GPS: You have arrived. Good luck.

And at the base of the trail, our conversation went something along these lines:
Me: Are you sure...?
Husband: We have to!
Me: Waaaaahhh...

And so...

...we happily climbed.

Happily... for about 5 minutes.

Manitou Incline is a popular fitness challenge for the nearby Air Force Academy and Olympic Athletes training in Colorado Springs at the US Olympic Training Center. The Incline has a steep grade for such a short distance (.75 miles); the total elevation gain is approximately 2,000 feet. This got a bit heady for those of us not used to Colorado's elevation.

This trail was punishment for the Seahawks losing the Super Bowl.

There is a point about 2/3^rd up the trail called the Bailout or Wimpout Point. It leads to the Barr Trail, which is the trail used to descend from Manitou Incline. Oh how tempting it was! ..but neither of us were willing to take the trail of shame!

The face of someone who has just realized we've only reached the "false summit"...

We made it!

There is no need to disclose our summit time... But Olympic and professional athletes have conquered Manitou in under 20 minutes. I'm convinced someone air dropped them at the top.

There are many topless guys on this trail BTW. It should be dubbed the Sweaty Topless Dude Trail.

Heading down the Incline is considered bad form. The correct descent is down the 4-mile Barr Trail.

Manitou Incline is a bit masochistic. Let's do it again!