It was cheaper than the nearby Diesel trains up Pike’s Peak, so our family has only summitted Pike’s Peak by car. Still have not ridden the cog train to the Peak. Many resources say the incline railway closed in 1990.

I came to town in April 1992, on vacation, coming in the off-season deliberately, to find cheaper motel rooms, etc. Stayed at the Silver Saddle or Silver Spur or something like that, on Colorado Avenue. Was told the Incline Railway was closed, by a staffer at the Cog Railway office. Lamented about the off-season. She said, “No, son, it’s closed forever.” And she explained the damage, the rising costs to maintain and insure the attraction.

Being in Kansas City for 11 years at the time, (27 years now) I was not acclamated to the altitude. Yet I proceded to climb the Barr trail at 4pm in April with only a light jacket. I was 29 and not in bad shape, but not ready for such a hike.

Took two and a half hours to get to the summit of the incline, and it was nearly dark, being 6:30. Had a huge, old Magnavox video cam, and the battery died before I could get the city lights by night. I had recorded too much commentary, going up.

Looked at the wheelhouse, where my dad had held two little boys up to the half-door, to see the pulleys, etc. Recalled seeing a big belt, about 8 inches wide, just flapping as it made its way around the wheels. 20+ years melted away.

Decided not to go back down the Barr trail, but just went down the incline itself, climbing, walking, crawling, rapelling, stumbling. Sometimes I grabbed the cable itself, wishing I’d brought gloves. (The tracks were still there in Apr 1992, but of course only RR Ties remain now.)

Took only an hour to get down. Dark, of course, but a decent moon. Every time I looked back up the rails, in the moonlight, and marvelled how far I’d come, I looked back down the rails and marvelled how far I had still to go! At bottom, my legs and knees quivered like jello, and I could barely drive to the motel.

Called the authorities and told them I was well, just in case my perception was accurate that people were looking for me, based on my car being in the parking lot so long after dark. Didn’t want to cost manpower, but also did not want to get in trouble, so stayed anonymous.

Of course, now, thousands have “trespassed” there, and hiked the incline. I was ahead of my time!!

Late in the night, I felt chest pain, radiating into left arm. Fearing a heart attack, I drove to Penrose Hospital where it was determined I just had angina pain. Still, they kept me 2 days, for monitoring, and I was a day late getting back to my job, from vacation.