We enjoyed a warm, bluebird day, and only saw two other people all day on our hike to Deer Ridge and Eagle Hill. I have never seen the country so dry--normally swampy areas were baked to dust and the trees are crispy dry. Perhaps exacerbated by the dry conditions, there are already fall colours in the foothills.

Autumn leaves already on Deer Ridge

We first hiked to the summit of Deer Ridge, through waist high grass around the nearly dry pond.

Enrique, Robert and Lenard on Deer Ridge

Some used the picnic table at the summit of Eagle Hill while others chose to eat in the shade of the trees as the strong breeze just around the corner stopped there and it was still and hot at the table and bench. The deep blue sky gave unusually sharp horizon views.

Clear view to the Rockies from Eagle Hill

Participants: Carl, coordinator and scribe, Darlene,Linda,Robert,Enrique,Janet,Lenard.