A weekend climb on the Manitou Incline turned tragic Saturday morning when a hiker suffered a medical emergency on the notoriously steep route and later died, officials said. Fellow climbers on the trail jumped in to help, attempting CPR until first responders could reach the scene.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said the emergency response started after other hikers called 911 for a person who was struggling to breathe. Search-and-rescue teams and Manitou Springs fire crews were sent up the trail, according to KKTV. In a social-media post cited by the station, the sheriff’s office thanked bystanders who performed CPR and those who quickly contacted dispatch as rescuers worked their way up the incline.
Rescue And Trail Closure
To give crews room and time to work, officials temporarily shut down the Incline while they reached and treated the patient. Local reports said the popular stair-step trail was closed just before 10 a.m. and did not reopen until around midday. Climbers were told to steer clear of the area near the 1,000th-step rest spot while responders operated in that section, according to The Denver Post.
Why The Incline Demands Caution
The Manitou Incline is legendary for a reason. It gains roughly 2,000 feet in less than a mile and packs in about 2,768 steep, uneven steps, making it one of the region’s most punishing climbs, per the City of Colorado Springs. City guidance reminds visitors that a free online reservation and signed waiver are required during posted hours, and that would-be climbers should honestly assess their fitness level and bring plenty of water before taking it on.
Recent History Of Incidents
Medical emergencies on the Incline are not rare. Reporting from the Denver Gazette has highlighted prior rescues on the trail as well as a hiker death in April 2025. After earlier incidents, Manitou Springs fire officials urged visitors, particularly those coming from much lower elevations, to take the altitude and the climb’s intensity seriously and prepare accordingly.
El Paso County deputies said the cause of death in Saturday’s case is still under investigation and asked anyone with information to contact dispatch, according to KOAA. This story will be updated as agencies release additional details.
