Colorado History Series: Red Mountain Incline (Manitou Springs)

                                                                 Red Mountain Incline in 1913

Colorado History Series:  The Red Mountain Incline (Manitou Springs, Colorado).

When most people think about Manitou Springs and an “Incline”…the Manitou Springs Incline is likely going to be what comes to mind. However, not far away, and often forgotten, used to be the Red Mountain Incline. From 1912-1922, folks were thrilled by an extremely steep excursion up and down the side of Red Mountain. The Red Mountain Scenic Railway Company built the ride for $50,000, which took people from Ruxton Avenue in Manitou Springs to the top of Red Mountain.
    
The precarious nature of the Red Mountain Incline, coupled with the extremely steep grade, led to high maintenance costs and many passengers becoming downright frightened (last picture). A lack of patrons and profitability ultimately led to the Red Mountain Incline’s demise and closing in 1922. Today, one can hike to the summit of Red Mountain to visit the former railway pavilion and engine house. I will be posting details and pictures pertaining to this hike on Friday.

A superb place for more info on the Red Mountain Incline…including scans of old brochures!
http://historiccrystalpark.blogspot.com/2012/03/red-mountain-incline.html

                                                                           Red Mountain Today

                                                     Remnants of the Red Mountain Incline operation.

                                                     Remnants of the Red Mountain Incline operation.

                                                     Remnants of the Red Mountain Incline operation.

                                                     Remnants of the Red Mountain Incline operation.

                                                     Remnants of the Red Mountain Incline operation.