Barr Trail

Barr Trail is the primary summit route to the top of Pikes Peak, which stands at 14,115 feet. Completed in 1921, the trail begins at the western edge of Manitou Springs and climbs 7,500 feet over 12.6 miles to the summit. It experiences heavy use from hikers, runners, backpackers, and mountain bikers, with an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 users annually. However, the lower portion of the trail—approximately the first 3 miles—may see usage rates three to five times higher due to the popularity of the adjacent Incline route. Most users on this section ascend the Incline and descend via Barr Trail back to the trailhead in Manitou Springs. As a result, the lower portion is suffering from extensive erosion and trail management challenges.

The unstable nature of the soils in this region, combined with high visitor use, makes managing and sustaining the trail particularly difficult. The soils along Barr Trail consist of decomposed granite derived from Pikes Peak Granite, which is highly susceptible to erosion. This creates a trail vulnerable to downcutting and incision. Additionally, vegetation along the trail is heavily impacted by erosion, sediment movement, and intense foot traffic.