By Dan Hicks

Op-Ed Commentary

Despite a gloomy omnipresent mid-November afternoon overcast, the panoramic Steeples, pride of British Columbia’s southern Rockies, were sunlit along a lineal blue horizon on Nov. 17, as seen looking east from the Eager Hill trail.

Situated within our Cranbrook Community Forest, the trail was populated by its regular recreationists – hikers and bicyclists (and their dogs), appreciative of the grand alpine view which begins at the trailhead and ends atop Eager Hill itself, once the site of a BC Forest Service lookout tower (1948-1965); the half-hour hike ascends 123 meters on a 1.4 kilometre trail (grade 10%).

Mere minutes east of Cranbrook, the short unmarked Eager Hill access road (160 meters) is on the north side of the Crowsnest Highway, 1.2 kilometres west of the Eager Hill Crowsnest and 93/95 Highway interchange.  There is a rationale for the access road being unmarked.

Given the high speed and high traffic volume along the Crowsnest Highway, left turns by eastbound vehicles may be precarious, and even right turning westbound vehicle drivers should know precisely where the turnoff is located; ie avoid “brake checking” the 18-wheeler on your tail (his failing your test could ruin your day).

Eastbound from Cranbrook, a relatively safe option which eliminates the need for making either a left turn or a U-turn, is to drive to the north side of the interchange, exit the highway onto the right side pullout there, reenter at a perpendicular angle, and return westbound to the now right side access road.

Constructing a properly engineered highway exit for Eager Hill recreationists would also necessitate constructing a larger trailhead parking lot to accommodate a substantial increase in their numbers; an unwelcome change to many, but one which is inevitable when this splendid ultra-accessible Rockies prospect is discovered by the masses, compelled by their omniscient smartphone apps to stop by.

Photos by Dan Hicks

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