Eagle Hill 455604 Trail hike on 17-Aug-2023

I don't think it would be fair to characterise us as "mad dogs" but as my grandfather was an Englishman, perhaps we had some justification for being "out in the midday sun" on a record-breaking hot day (34C in Calgary).

The heat and smoke seemed to have put off almost everybody from venturing out into the foothills on this day. We were the only 3 to sign up for the hike, and we met only one couple all day, and that near the trailhead. Traffic was very light on the road, and there was only one other car in the parking lot. I had camped for two nights at Sibbald Lake campground, and it was more than 90% deserted.

The forest fire smoke was back, making the Rockies look like the Great Smokies, and the trail was as dry as I have ever seen, but the forest was still green.

Douglas and Tom on a log in the shade

The "Great Smoky Rockies" on a record hot August day

We had an enjoyable hike, but in the heat we were lagging just a bit. The nice bench at the summit was in the hot sun, so we had lunch sitting on a convenient log in the shade.

At the end of the day Fudgesicles were a cool treat to reward those willing to defy the elements.

Carl, coordinator and scribe