Hiking the Incline

This week’s ‘Adventure Tuesday’ was hiking the Incline.  I feel like I can finally say I’m from Colorado Springs, now that I’ve completed it.  The incline gains over 2,000 feet of elevation in less than 1 mile –  The picture below I found and thought it shows the ‘big picture’ of the elevation well…equivalent to climbing the stairs of 162 floors.  It starts out with an average climbing grade but gets as steep as 68% in places.  It’s a pretty tough climb but has such fantastic views and is simply exhilarating to make it to the top.  The base of the incline sits at 6,600 feet and the peak is at 8,590 feet.  It’s not my muscles that gave me any trouble… just my lungs and the intense need for more air.  I felt an altitude headache getting worse and worse as I climbed but other than that, it was a good hike.  Don’t look up or down – just keep climbing.

Mary reminded me that since I was a Walton, this would be the perfect place for a Sasha Pose.

We hiked down the Barr Trail to get back to our car.  Beautiful trails with a great view of Garden of the Gods in the distance.  It was perfect weather too – especially for a November day.   Glad to be pushing myself and enjoying the adventure with these ladies.