Climbing Into the Clouds: Manitou Incline and Kindness Along the Way – Colorado Springs, CO

No matter how I slice it, the excitement of being back on the road is lacking its usual joyful heart. Writing about saying goodbye and the actual action of the last hug are two different things. Pulling out of my “neighborhood” felt heavier on my heart than I expected.

So I drive in silence, watching the beautiful Colorado landscape. I am heading to Colorado Springs. I have been advised to take the back road, as Highway 25 is usually very crowded. It is longer, however, it is worth the time and the mileage.

I passed many farmlands surrounded by mountains. I am still very much aware that my vision of creating a community might not come to fruition, but it is constantly in my mind. So when I travel on Route 105, I put a note to myself to check this area when the time comes. At the end of the day, no matter how many travels and adventures I will experience, there’s nothing like a community of people who get together to support each other with the same kind heart.

My first stop is the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. It will be my second time visiting this amazing place in the middle of a town. As I get closer, the skies get darker. I checked the weather for the next few days in my travel direction, and I am aware that I will be challenged by rain and thunderstorms.

I get to enjoy the Garden of the Gods for only 30 minutes before the skies open up to pouring rain.

It’s time for the library...

That is Colorado for you. As I enter the library, the sun comes out. Go figure. I’d like to do one last search for a place to stay for the night. I do have a plan, which is to park at Pilot Truck Center, 30 minutes north of my current location. However, I still hope for something closer, as I will be heading back in that direction tomorrow morning to try hiking up the Manitou Incline.

From the information I am gathering, Colorado is not a fan of stealth camping (I can’t blame them), and with a NY license plate, I am just asking for trouble I do not want. Besides, I want to respect Colorado’s rules.

I forgot how noisy a truck stop can be. Luckily, the heavy rain bouncing off my car roof soothes me and softens the unpleasant sounds outside.

It always makes me laugh how my tiny bed, only 25 inches wide and 5 feet long, gives me the best sleep.

By 6 a.m., I am out of my van, running between the raindrops to get a hot coffee and wash up. I think by now I’ve learned that I just don’t give up easily on challenges. I decided to drive to the trailhead of Manitou Incline and take it from there. By the time I finished eating breakfast and making lunch, the skies started to show some hope.

The Manitou Incline is a famous and notoriously steep hiking trail in Manitou Springs. It climbs nearly 2,000 vertical feet in just under one mile via an old cable car track with 2,768 railroad-tie steps. The average grade is about 45%, with sections exceeding 60%, making it one of the most challenging hikes in Colorado.

By 8 a.m., I start my incline. Right away, I understand how hard this is going to be. Well, I’ll take my time. No rush on my end.

I love that every 100 steps, there is a sign counting for you. I decided to take this challenge as I take my life now: one step at a time.

Oh wow, it’s been a while since I pushed myself that hard.

Step number 1100… 25 minutes...

Step number 1500... 40 minutes...

Some people ahead of me are climbing on all fours. As I approached that section, I followed in their footsteps, as it was too steep to walk upright.

It is absolutely a hard hike!!!

Step number 2000... 1:10 minutes...

In the last stretch of the climb, I feel like I am Sylvester Stallone in the movie Rocky, climbing up the steps to victory.

As I reach step 2300, a heavy fog comes down and hides the summit.

Step number 2600…2700...

Step number 2768... 1:40 minutes.

I did it!!!

It feels great to accomplish this challenge.

Thankfully, I don’t need to go down the same way. The 3 miles on the Barr Trail, with its many switchbacks, is much softer on my knees. Unfortunately, the heavy fog leaves me to imagine the landscape behind the clouds.

My next stop is Bishop Castle...

Again, I check “avoid highway” on Google Maps, which directs me to travel through the beautiful, winding roads of San Isabel National Forest, lined with many aspen trees. As I climb in elevation, the temperature drops, and a dark cloud swallows the air around me. The visibility is only a few feet, which makes me nervous. I turn on my hazard lights and slow down.

As I get to Bishop Castle, loud thunder is shaking the grounds. This will be a quick visit...

Bishop Castle is a unique roadside attraction in Rye, Colorado, built almost entirely by one man, Jim Bishop, over several decades. The hand-built stone and iron structure features towers, bridges, winding staircases, and even a fire-breathing metal dragon. The castle is constantly evolving as Bishop continues to add to it.

The idea that one man built this up through the years is very admirable. That’s for sure a lesson in patience and perseverance.

Finally, as I go down in elevation, visibility returns.

Not having the pressure tonight to find a place for the night does make for a much more relaxed day. Tonight I will park in Natalie’s driveway. As always, when I plan my travel map, I check the Road Trip Her Facebook group map to see if any of the women offering a driveway are on my travel path. Luckily for me, Natalie is right on my path.

So here again I meet with a stranger, who very quickly feels like an old friend. Natalie not only offered me a safe place to park, but she also cooked a delicious soup and offered me a shower, which I am so grateful for. She did offer her guest room; however, especially for one night, staying in my “home” is the best for me.

As night falls and the beauty of silence takes over, I gently fall asleep only to be shaken by a thunderstorm so intense that I feel the earth beneath me shake. I have never experienced thunder so close. Knowing I am in a safe space relaxes me enough to enjoy such power of nature.

Good morning, sunshine, and good morning, Natalie.

Natalie, sure is spoiling me. With breakfast and a fancy coffee, I might not leave. :)

Thank you, Natalie, from the bottom of my heart, for your beautiful energy, warm meals, hot shower, and good coffee to start another day of adventure.

Now all I can hope for is that the rain will let go and make my life easier as I continue to my next destination: The Great Sand Dunes National Park.