Haystack, Lincoln, Lafayette

 This is a best of hike. Up the falling waters trail to Haystack and along the ridge to Lincoln and Lafayette. Falling waters trail has many nice waterfalls and then a steep up to Haystack. The ridge is interesting with some views of slides and some drop offs and of course views of the 3 peaks. Also some nice views of Cannon mountain and number of others. 

This day started clear and it stayed nice until just after Lincoln. Then the clouds moved in fast! All of a sudden I was in the clouds and Lafayette had no views. Lafayette did have snow! First snow of the year. Nothing sticking and it was somewhat above freezing at the top but snow.

Counter clockwise is the way to do this loop since the Bridle Path isn't as steep and is a good way to get down. Hike is about 9 miles.

Lincoln

Lafayette

Greenleaf Hut

Quick walk in Meredith on way home:

Isolation - 48

This was a hike to Isolation mountain in NH via the Glen Boulder trail. This was the last mountain in the 2nd time around NH 48. Link below to description of this list: 

http://outsidevt.blogspot.com/2020/07/nh-4000-footers-2nd-time-around.html

This was a mostly cloudy day. Reasonably clear below 4000 feet with clouds blowing in and out above that. This trail goes up to about 5500 feet if you go up to Boot Spur. I went about 1 mile beyond Boot Spur toward the end of the day. Mt Isolation is just above 4000 feet so there is a pretty good downhill from the high point to Isolation. Then of course uphill back to the high point before going down. Isolation has views but going up/down the Glen Boulder trail was a lot more impressive. This could be a good route up Mt Washington. From Boot Spur it is only 2.0 miles to Mt Washington and not a lot of climbing. The hike is 12 miles but I ended up going more like 15. Once you are up on the Mt Washington ridge it is easy to get pulled along to see what is around the next corner. I kept thinking it would clear up high but it stayed blowing clouds all day. Glen Boulder trail is very steep!

After the hike I went to see Glen Ellis Falls which is always worth the short walk.

The day got clearer as it went on so pictures get less cloudy toward the end.

Driving to the hike:

And we are off:

On the way to Isolation

Picture from top of Isolation

Boot Spur and beyond

Glen Boulder

Glen Ellis Falls after hike:

Back to the pond: