the Springs/Pueblo

Hiking – Trailhead to Barr Camp

Most visitors to Barr Camp hike up Barr Trail from the trailhead in Manitou Springs.  The 6.5-mile hike gains 3800ft, with most of the elevation gain over the first three miles of the trail. Do not be discouraged by the first part of the trail.  While the trail continues to gain elevation to Barr Camp, the next three miles of the trail are less steep.

 

We recommend an early start on the trail.  In the summer months, the lower part of the trail can be brutally hot.  A cool morning start will get you up higher before the heat of the day, and will get you to Barr Camp in time for a nap, deck-sitting, or a short hike to a great overlook.

 

When departing the trailhead parking lot, be careful to start on the correct trail. Barr Trail is on the south side of the parking lot, at the large wooden Barr Trail sign.  On the other side of the lot is an unmarked trail that takes you to the incline. The incline should not be attempted unless you are aware of what you are getting into.

 

Kicked off Bighorn training last December with a hike up the Incline in Manitou Springs.  2000ft+ vertical gain, climbing one mile of  stairs [Garmin read .97].  It’s a butt kicker.  Seemed only fitting I’d return, after Bighorn said-n-done.

every June weekend

Early a.m. start, 2 hour drive to Colorado Springs, ‘nother 20 minutes to Manitou.  Parking’s now $10 & completely gone by 7am.  Summer season.  Incline on a lotta bucket lists.  Fee paid good for 4 hours.  Not ending at the Incline today, hiking on.  Barr Camp, day’s destination.

16 marathons completed since my last Incline ascent.  Result: still sucked wind.  It’s a steep climb.  Topped 20 minutes faster than December.  Couple long intakes of oxygen, then down the backside of the staircase tenth-mile, reconnected with Barr Trail.

Hiked the entire 29-mile Barr Trail in 2013, summited Pikes Peak, later napped against a tree truck on the hike return.  Never ever again.  Too much.  Never say never, but not today 😊

Insert: Chesapeake Tom.  Marylander renting in Manitou, training for the Pikes Peak Marathon.  Met him at the Connector junction.  Confirmed I was bearing west, hiking the Barr Trail.  Notta lotta traffic hiking UP Pikes generally but with the Cog closed, many more than normal.

Tom had a time goal in mind.  3 hours to Barr Camp, first time cutoff in his Pikes Challenge.  Hiked Barr Trail first time last weekend.  3:20 to Barr Camp.  Would need to shave an hour if he hoped to hit tree line 4:30 in, summit before 6 hours.  After that, it’s a generous 4 hour clock to Manitou.  Sailboat captain, flatlander, dropped 40 pounds.  His goal race.  I get it.

Keenan had a time goal too.  4 hours up-n-back before his Jeep gets towed.  Yikes!

Conversation made time fly.  Power-hiked thru long stretches of Ponderosa pine, later Aspen.  Strava map shows we climbed another 1500ft, who knew?  I heart Aspen.

Chesapeake Tom sailed 16 days across the Atlantic.  Maryland to the Azores, Azores to Ireland, Ireland to Scotland, then down the lock system to Dover.  Last Fall, moved his boat to Chicago (son’s home).  mid-America Chicago?  Chesapeake Bay to the ocean, up NY’s Hudson, past the Statue of Liberty, utilized locks thru the Great Lakes – touched all ‘cept Lake Ontario.  double WOW, right?

Never before stopped at Barr Camp, thought it was a Boy Scout retreat.  Open 365/year (even Christmas), cots house 15-17 indoors, campsites & biveys outdoor.  $30 to sleep under roof, price includes pasta dinner & oatmeal breakfast (one-pot group meal).

Next time I top Pikes, sleeping at Barr.  Halfway point (6 miles more to Summit), chocolate brownies for purchase.  Just saying.

Fast trot back.  Just missed 4 hours but found my Jeep parked where I left it (thanks Parking Police).  Chesapeake Tom however hit his time goal, 2:49 to Barr Camp.  Never know WHO you’ll meet on a day hike.  Thanks for the stories, friend.

 

 

 

Left one paradise (Hawaii), fast replaced it with another (Colorado).  First ice climb in 2 years ❄

First time using Front Range Climbing Company in Lake George CO.  Have always hired a climbing guide (twice in Alaska, thrice  now in Colorado).  They provide the gear (like all winter sports, crazy expensive) PLUS I tend to push harder knowing that if/when I slip, someone experienced has my back/completely covered on belay.

Easy drive south on I-25 to Colorado Springs.  Exited west on Highway 24.  Manitou Springs, Woodland Park, Divide, Florissant, Lake George.  New roads, new places.  ADDED 3 things to my summer wish list: Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center & the Mueller Marathon (trail race in Mueller State Park/Divide).  If not this year, then 2019 🙂

Met up with climbing guide Dan at Starky’s General Store, then dirt-road travelled another 20 minutes to Elevenmile Canyon.  Been a super mild winter this season, wondering if I’d see ice.

Short half-mile walk thru a local Boy Scout Camp (Camp Alexander), frozen river ice cascaded over Rankin Gulch.  Boots/crampons, Helmet/goggles, Ice axe/tools & harness.  Three different pitches.  Would finish on the middle pitch, large ice lip challenge.

[Left Ro curled up in the Jeep.  Tired pup.  We off-leash hiked an hour before meeting up with Dan.]

 

On Belay.  Belay on.  Climbing.  Climb on.

First pitch (far right): re-familiarized myself with the equipment, easy climb.

Second pitch (far left): less stable ice.  Slipped twice, self-arrested w/ my axe.  No panic, on belay.  Remembered why I LOVE ice climbing.  Polar opposite of road marathoning.  It’s a thinking man’s sport.  Stop, think, select your path.  No set rule – YOUR path, YOUR comfort zone, climb to YOUR personal strengths.

Fast forward 2 hours: Middle pitch, last of the day.

Arms shaking.  Could not pull my body over the lip.  Backed down, hung for 5 minutes.  Attempted again.  Mentally spent, not happening.  Dan asked if I wanted help.  NO! I JUST WANT TO QUIT!  Breathe.  Better human response: WHAT WHAT should I do?  Reach high on your left.  Left foot dug in, right foot scrambling.  Hanging from a poorly placed strike.  I CAN’T DO THIS!  Plant your right axe.  Strike holds but my arm is burning/shaking like crazy.  Pulled off my glove, threw it below.  Cold is gonna propel me/Cold is my friend.  Reached out & struck, reached out & struck again.  Not a graceful finish (pushed up with a knee)…but finish I did.

Dinner in Deckers, overcast & windy, weather’s a changin’.   Sunday FUN-day, Colorado holiday ❤

 

 

Lake George Ice Climb

 

 

After a string of frigid cold days, switched Tuesday hike day to Wednesday on the premise of warmer temps.  Rolled the dice/took a chance.  Happy to report 9NEWS’ Amelia Earhart landed this one!

Early to rise, easy highway drive, sunny skies south to Colorado Springs. By the time I hit Castle Rock (30 minutes south of Denver), day temps soared over 20, most snow gone/completely disappeared.  Appears the Springs must have missed our Christmas Eve wallop.  Trailhead parked before 9am.  Backpack-ready, rockin’ winter layers – destination: Manitou Incline.  Next mile straight UP – 2,000ft elevation gain over a single mile.  You want to kick off a Resolution, this is the place to go 🙂

UP UP UP.  Last trekked the Incline in December 2014That day caught the sunrise with a group of local runners.  Enough impression to make this year’s post-Christmas checklist.

Beautiful sunshiny day.  Went thru 2 bottles of water before reaching the Incline’s Christmas tree summit.  From there it’s an easy 3 mile trek down Barr Trail.  LOVE LOVE this country ❤

Home before 2 or….grab lunch inside a 1953 Boeing KC-97 tanker.  No brainer, right?

Built in 1953, this magnificent airplane refueled aircraft throughout the world. Forty-two passengers can actually eat in the plane of the 275-seat restaurant. …displaying 100’s of pictures, memorabilia and rare artifacts, Solo’s offers a flight through aviation history.

Burgers/fries – menu nothing special – but the experience itself, well worth the visit.

Day half over.  Evening plans?  Heck yeah.  Forest mushroom soup is back at Cracovia (our area’s Polish restaurant).  Not sure where they pick local mushrooms in December, but luckily Ash’s Tom caught the social media alert.  Restaurant still dressed in holiday spirit, enjoyed Cracovia’s last 2 bowls of mushroom soup.  FAAANNNNTASTIC!

Entrée choice?  Go with the bratwurst.  Personally don’t eat pork but envied Tom’s brat sizzling tableside.

Nite ended with dessert – all good diets wait ‘til after the holidays, right? 🙂

 

 

Manitou Incline ’17