Clay in Colorado: Hike & Brews - Conquer the Manitou Incline
✨ Purpose What better way to kick off summer than a morning hike up one of Colorado's most iconic (and brutal) trails, followed by well-earned burgers and beers with fellow GTM folks?
This one's a little different from our usual events. No presentations, no workflows, no laptops. Just 2,768 steps, 2,000 feet of elevation gain, and the kind of shared suffering that makes for great conversation over a cold one afterward. Whether you're a regular Incliner or a first-timer, come out and meet the community in a completely different setting.
💬 Vibe Early, outdoorsy, and unserious. We start at 8 AM to give everyone a reasonable wake-up while still getting off the mountain before it gets hot and well before Colorado's afternoon thunderstorms roll in. Go at your own pace — there's no prize for summiting first, and bailout points exist for a reason. The real event is the beers and burgers afterward.
⏰ Timing 7:30 AM | Meet at the base of the Incline (trailhead on Ruxton Ave) — say hello, check reservations, get ready 8:00 AM | Start the climb (reservation window) ~10:30–11:00 AM | Regroup at the base after descending Barr Trail 11:00 AM | Walk 4 minutes over to Manitou Brewing Company (725 Manitou Ave) — order the Incline Burger, order the "I Just Finished the Incline" IPA, talk shop, celebrate not dying on the stairs
🍺 Where we're going after Manitou Brewing Company is the unofficial finish line for the Incline — 18 taps of house-brewed beer, burgers, sourdough pretzel knots, truffle fries, big patio, dog-friendly. Four minutes on foot from the Incline base.
🚗 Parking options — pick what works best for you:
Hiawatha Gardens Lot (10 Old Man's Trail) — the go-to. $1/hr paid parking, free Route 33 shuttle to the trailhead every 10–20 min on weekends starting at 6:38 AM. Allow 20–30 min for parking + shuttle + walk.
Dillon Mobility Hub (134 Manitou Ave) — 91 spaces, ADA-accessible, QR code / kiosk payment, also on the free shuttle route.
Iron Springs Chateau (444 Ruxton Ave) — closest to the base. $15 for 4 hours, cash only. Fills up fast on weekends.
☀️ What to bring — take this seriously, it'll be warming up fast
Water — at least 2 liters per person. The Incline is fully exposed and you'll lose fluids quickly at altitude.
Sunscreen — apply before you start and bring extra. There is zero shade on the way up.
Hat or cap — not optional. Sun at 8,000+ ft hits different.
Sunglasses
Electrolytes — a Liquid IV, Nuun tab, or similar goes a long way. Altitude + exertion = dehydration sneaks up on you.
Sturdy shoes with good grip — trail runners or hiking shoes, not sneakers.
Light breathable layers — it'll be ~55–60°F at the start and mid-70s by the time you're coming down Barr Trail.
A small snack for the summit — granola bar, trail mix, whatever keeps you going.
🥾 Other things to know
Reservations are required and you need to book your own (they're free). Go to coloradosprings.gov/incline and reserve the 8:00 AM slot for Saturday, June 13. Parties are capped at 8, so everyone books individually.
The Incline gains ~2,000 ft in under a mile at an average 45% grade. It's genuinely hard — go at your own pace, and use the bailout points at railroad tie #396 or #1300 if needed.
Do not descend the Incline itself (it's prohibited and rough on the knees). Take Barr Trail down — about 2.5 miles, much easier.
Altitude is real — base is at 6,600 ft, summit is 8,590 ft. If you're coming from sea level, hydrate starting the day before.
👋 Who should come Anyone in GTM who wants to meet the community in a non-laptop setting. All fitness levels welcome — if you don't summit, nobody cares. The brewery is the real event.