We are in New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest along the eastern edge of Mount Washington. There is so much to see and do, but today we will explore the Ellis River from Pinkham Notch to Jackson, NH. The Ellis River conveniently parallels NH-16, and we’ll head south to explore three different waterfalls. So grab your gear and let’s go.
The Snake River runs through the city of Twin Falls, Idaho. Since we are passing through, we must visit the falls known as the Niagara of the West. It is definitely off season and the road to the falls overlook is closed, but we’ll walk down the twisty .6 mile road to the falls. It is a beautiful sunny day, no wind so feels warmer than 18 degrees, but where the cliffs shade the road we have ice to negotiate. Just watch your step!
Continue reading “Shoshone Falls on New Year’s Eve”
Name one thing that is great about Yellowstone in October: Off-season lodge rates. Name one word of caution about Yellowstone in October: SNOW. Since I love staying at the new Canyon Lodges with steep discounts and the aspen and cottonwoods are in sparkling yellow now, I’ll take my chances. It is a gorgeous day to drive along the Gibbon River to Norris Junction then heading east to the Canyon area. The Gibbon River has thermal features along its banks and is one of only a few Yellowstone rivers flowing north to south, but that’s a story for another day. Today we are heading to Canyon’s Washburn Lodge, staying the last two nights before the Canyon area closes until next May. Tomorrow morning we will walk the northern end of North Rim Trail to explore waterfalls and canyon walls. This will be such fun.
Third time is a charm. Today we WILL get to the base of the falls on Holland Creek which connects Upper Holland Lake and the much larger 416-acre Holland Lake. The hike to the upper lake is about 12 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 3,600 feet. The hike to Holland Lake Falls is 3.3 miles round trip with a 750 foot elevation gain. Guess which one we are doing–remembering I’m wimpy.
I’ve walked this trail before but could never find access to the base of the falls. Today I will not be denied, and although it is mostly cloudy, rain is not forecast, the sun peaks through here and there, the smoke from fires north and west has subsided, and it is only in the upper 60s. What a day for a pleasant late morning hike. Sitting at the base of Carmine Peak in the Swan Mountains, welcome to Holland Lake!
Grab your gear, let’s go . . .
