Manitou Incline... Have a day!…read more This is an epic CO hike and *can be conquered by anyone with a little intestinal fortitude... It's virtually straight up (2200+ ft vertical) then 4 miles down, no filling stations, and no shade, but is an absolute blast of a hike. It takes about 1.5 hours up and about 2-3 hours down, depending on your individual fitness level. The best part are the summit views and if you go up another 200M and take the backside Barr Trail down, the views get even better. Make sure to bring tons of water, wear good hikers (there are lots of switchbacks on the way down), and put on sun screen because it's 90+ degrees with no shade on a normal CO summer day... Don't be "that guy" or "that girl" that shows up without any gear (there were a ton of those people out there, and it's completely mind boggling), because Vegas odds are 3/2 you'll be a casualty. My best advice is take a minimum of 3L of water (I took 4L and went through all them from top to bottom, granted I sweat like a Vegas hooker in a Catholic Church), take two "tough pills" before you start, and take it slow and steady up... #slowissmoothandsmoothisfast. Make it to the top, take some great mountain pics, enjoy the trek down, and go get a celebratory cold CO crafty at one of the cool bars in Manitou springs after words.

5/5 stars?? I know, I'd have said 0/5-do not recommend, but for this:…read more If you want a serious workout, this is for you. It's been on my bucket list for a wee bit, though I'm not sure exactly why--perhaps the grueling challenge this offers, if only to challenge myself. I had no time constraints, just get to the top and back down again. I did it! I was no record-setter by any means, and I'm okay with that. Did I "train?" No. Did I acclimatize myself (being a flatlander from Kansas), yes! I brought lots of water and electrolytes and of course SNACKS, because, hello!! It's a hike and all hikes need snacks; not to mention it's grueling and your body needs the fuel. I went up to the top the first time and down Barr Trail--that is no joke either. Switchbacks and seemingly "huge" step downs--it has its own "obstacles." The sun was shining full strength so it was toasty--doable as I had a sun hoodie on, but also a tad miserable. Second time, slightly over halfway with a friend, we walked down a hundred steps to the bailout at 1300. That was absolutely fabulous! Gorgeous scenery and that day was nice and cool and foggy! Loved it! Switchbacks too, but seemingly not as bad as what the Barr Trail has. People on this trail?? Well, they're exceptionally wonderful. Everyone--EVERYONE--was supportive, encouraging and kind. People from just about everywhere. Would I do it again? Yes. When the weather is foggy and cool. Would I want to go down the 1300 step bailout, yes. The transition of trail grades is easier than on Barr Trail IMHO, but going down the Incline is sketchy--people do it, but it's steep and the recommendation is to NOT do so. It was questionable as to whether a permit was needed. I signed up--self-proclaimed rule follower that I am--only to find no one was checking anything!! So, you do you. It might be a way to have the state of CO see how many people and from where and to sign a waiver, but otherwise no one checked. I parked at a paid lot and took a free shuttle to The Incline and back--I later found out via word of mouth that there is free parking at a park nearby where the bus stops. **As an aside, I learned the day before I was planning on going that this is no joke, people have died or have been injured on this trail--please take necessary precautions for your health and wellbeing.**

Gorgeous canyon trail along a stream with small waterfalls and stream falls. Some climbing but…read morenothing too serious.

This is by far my most favorite hike in Colorado Springs/Manitou Springs. It starts out on the old…read moreexit road for Cave of the Winds.....before it was washed out permanently. **ALERT** In order to do this trail you have to go up to the Cave of the Winds to sign a waiver!! There is no cost, but since part of the trail is on their property you have to sign the waiver. The trail is shaded for most of the trail. The begining is the hottest part! You will see water falls and punch bowls. The trail can be difficult in some areas, but nothing kids 5 and up can't handle! If you need directions how to get to this trail, just let me know and I can give you turn by turn with street names!

This is an amazing must-do while in Colorado Springs, NOT to be missed! I recommend starting early…read moreduring the summer. We did our self-guided tour and trail walk mid-morning. We started at the Visitor Center and spoke to the wonderful volunteers about recommended explorations. Digital and paper maps are available there but the road and the trails are also well signposted with maps throughout as well. Our hike with photo stops, a little bit of scrambling and a drive through the park as well as a visit to The Trading Post (cafe, ice cream and extensive gift shop) lasted about 2 hours so we ended about midday and were glad that we had an early-ish start. The main trail is paved with many optional and relatively short unpaved offshoots. The trail walk was an immensely enjoyable experience and we were indeed awed by these rock formations in this incredible setting! Thank you to the City of Colorado Springs for keeping this experience FREE to the public as promised to the original land owners. Visitors, consider a donation to be able to continue to share this wondrous area with all!

Millions of years ago, natural forces pushed massive sheets of red rock hundreds of feet straight…read moreup into the air, presumably because standard horizontal dirt seemed boring. Humans eventually discovered these giant stone slabs and named the location Garden of the Gods. The gods themselves left no forwarding address, but they clearly possessed a flair for dramatic architecture. In 1909, the family of a railroad executive named Charles Elliott Perkins deeded four hundred and eighty acres of this land to the City of Colorado Springs. They attached a single mandatory condition: the park must remain forever free to all people of the earth. In a world where people routinely attempt to place turnstiles around ordinary scenery, this legal clause remains a magnificent anomaly. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971. Inside the main park, paved paths such as the Perkins Central Garden Trail allow our fragile bodies to walk among giant monoliths without tripping over tree roots. Famous formations with names like Balanced Rock and the Kissing Camels sit silently against the backdrop of Pikes Peak. You can hike, ride a bicycle, scale the sandstone with ropes, or simply stand on the asphalt staring upward with your mouth slightly open. The entire landscape manages to remain accessible without feeling like a commercial theme park. The rocks are the main attraction, and they do not require artificial lighting, recorded sound effects, or ticket booths to command respect. If you spend a day in Colorado Springs, you will likely spend the rest of your life comparing every other rock formation on Earth to these red stones. Most of them will disappoint you.

We went to CO to visit family and experience the beautiful outdoors, and a Geological Hike, the…read moreVolcanic Gems Geology Hike, with Dr. Rox was our first excursion on the weekend. Dr. Rox was fantastic. Both my wife and I are teachers, and so we loved how academic the hike was as Dr. Rox would pause and explain the rock cycle, tectonic movement, or the birth of the Rocky Mountains. We were also delighted that our two teenage sons asked a bunch of questions and were obviously engaged in, not only the Geology lesson, but also the local flora and fauna. Dr. Rox answered every question, and, when she didn't know the name of a plant, she pulled out a trusty book and looked it up. She kept things light, but we definitely learned a lot as well. When we reached the end of the hike where the zeolite crystals had grown in the geodes, we climbed all over the rocks finding crystal after crystal. It was certainly an impressive site. We really loved both the scenery and our guide, and I would recommend this hike to anyone with any interested in geology. A big thanks to Dr. Rox for making our hike so fun and educational!

The overview summary of Trail Gems encapsulates it for me: "guiding you through the incredible…read morebeauty of Colorado's wilderness." I live in Colorado, but I do not appreciate its beauty enough. I also never knew the story behind the beautiful rock formations and natural landscapes I pass by everyday. Rox provides context and explanation for a natural history of the beautiful sights of Colorado. Rox is also very organized and thoughtful, making sure we had water, snacks, and umbrellas. We got to look, touch, break, and collect all different kinds of rocks in a variety of gorgeous locations. It was fun to explore and engage in a tactile activity. In our modern world where so much of our lives are spent behind screens, this was a truly relaxing yet exciting activity and exploration tour in the outdoors. It was creative and fun. I felt like a kid again!

I love this trail so much! It's a beautiful and perfect running or hiking loop conveniently located…read morein Cheyenne mountain. It offers beautiful views at the top after a tough climb and then a wonderful and gradual decline back down to a dirt road (also leads to trail 666) and then to the main road.

I love this trail! To do the whole loop it's about 6 miles. I've only done it counter-clockwise…read more So it starts with a good two miles of mostly uphill before you start a gentle downhill stroll through the woods. The trail is popular, but rarely packed. Great views. Wonderful workout or super chill walk, depending on how you feel like going.

Everything was great. Couldnt ask for more friendly, helpful…read moreStaff, rooms were really clean, comfy beds. Their amenities go on and on. Perfectly located to all attractions. Onsite live music entertainment, tables and chairs and your own porch, kitchenete was fully stocked. Free breakfast was great. Cant say enough good about this place. Definitely would retirn and recommend if you want a personalized stay vs normal hotel.

everything we wanted, VERY accommodating. for(non) bicyclists. def recommend!!! just outside CO…read moresprings, around corner from manitou springs

Nice place for Incline souvenir stickers, fridge magnets and shirts. cool designs with decent…read moreprices. They also offer food, coffee and drinks

Where would you get that bottle of thirst quenching drink when you are totally needing it after the…read moreincline hike? you guessed it right. this is the place to get the coldest drink at this part of the town, use the restroom where you don't have to see the things floating from previous user. better yet, grab some attire or souvenirs to remember your grueling hike up to the top. got ice creams too!