Monday, January 12, 2026

Question: Before it was a famously difficult hike, what purpose did the Manitou Incline serve?

Answer: Built in 1907, the Manitou Incline was originally a mountainside railway operated by a cable with ascending and descending cars, used to transport materials for the construction of a hydroelectric plant and waterline. It later ran as a tourist ride until 1990, eventually being dismantled due to high maintenance costs. With the removal of its rails, the railroad’s wooden crossties formed a natural staircase, giving rise to its reputation as a unique hiking challenge.