[throwaway4233]

I would give my opinion on 2 things:

1. The experience you might get as a IC or an individual contributor will be very valuable as a lead/manager since you might already have had experienced the people/technical problems brought to you from the other side of the table.

2. It is very hard to go down the ladder or it will be a question most often asked later down when you interview elsewhere.

I wish you good luck with what you are doing. Taking initiative to lead takes courage and being selfless.