MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. — People hoping to climb the Manitou Incline this Memorial Day weekend will have to make other plans after officials announced the iconic hike would be closed “until further notice” due to a medical emergency.
City of Manitou Springs government officials first announced the closure just after 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
“The Incline is CLOSED,” officials said on Facebook, and estimated the closure to last eight hours.
But shortly before 10 a.m., El Paso County Sheriff’s Office deputies said the incline would be shut down until further notice “due to law enforcement and first responder activity helping an individual experiencing a medical emergency.”
Deputies said those currently on the incline were asked to avoid the area near the 1,000-step rest area.
Those hiking the trail can exit at steps 395, 1,300, and 1,800 and take the Northern Incline Trail or the Barr Trail back down.
Shortly after noon, City of Manitou Springs government officials said the Incline was given the "all-clear" and would reopen "earlier than expected," though officials did not provide a time frame for when that would occur.
Last year, a 64-year-old Oregon man died while climbing the Incline. The man's cause of death was never released.
The Manitou Incline is a challenging hiking trail with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain in under a mile. Officials remind climbers to assess their physical fitness and prepare appropriately for the strenuous route.
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