Uncategorized Archives - Incline Friends

Alright, there is some justifiable confusion surrounding this system. By that we mean you are justified in being confused because of the way the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding between Manitou and Colorado Springs) is written. First and foremost we encourage you not to take out your frustrations with the Colorado Springs park ranger and/or attendants attempting to manage the reservation system at the base. Let us address some points that need to be clarified:

Proof of parking: If you park at Hiawatha Gardens, make sure you take the time to get a receipt out of the parking kiosk there. This will not cost you anything but if the Incline attendants ask you where you park you will need to show this receipt. If you park at Iron Springs Chateau, attendants there will give you a receipt you can show to the Incline attendants. Why all this hassle? Because Manitou Springs wants to keep people from driving up Ruxton Avenue looking for parking spaces. Now that parking on Ruxton has been designated for Ruxton residents only (you WILL be ticketed if you park on Ruxton) this is rather a moot point, rendering the whole proof of parking requirement senseless. As we said, you are justified in being confused. The simplest thing to do if you forget to get a receipt at Hiawatha Gardens, if you are asked where you parked just tell the Incline attendants that you walked up to the Incline because, the way the MOU is written if you have a reservation and you walk to the Incline you’re good, that’s cool. (yes we know, if you park at Hiawatha, you have to walk) As we said….

No reservation?: You may still be able to get on the Incline through the “walk-up” provision in the MOU. If there are open spots because reservations were made but people didn’t show up for that time slot, you can “walk on” after getting a wristband. “No-shows” have consistently run at a suspiciously high 30%.

7-Day Advance: You may only make a reservation 7-days in advance so if you’re trying to plan real far ahead, don’t get discouraged if you see there are no reservations available, you’re just a little too early. For example, if it’s the 10th day of the month and you try to reserve anything farther out than the 17th or into the following month you won’t be able to.

Multiples: Ah yes, you athletes that are fit enough to do repeats on the ‘cline! Please note your wristband is not imprinted with “one trip only.” Ergo you can come down and go up again. Note that coming down the Incline is never recommended at any time, especially during the COVID threat but then you repeaters do it and we trust you are generally safe and respectful in doing it. IF you come down the Barr Trail and try to go back up, the attendants may object but we are working on that.

Hiawatha Kiosk?: Is the kiosk (or kiosks) at Hiawatha Gardens just there to provide you a free receipt? We expect Manitou to eventually charge for parking there, something we will address in a future post if and when that charge is applied.

Shuttle: The shuttle from Hiawatha Gardens parking lot is currently operating.