A trifecta of peaks on a beautiful day with a blue sky overhead and some early white fluff underfoot. Time to switch out the trail runners for boots and gaiters as we enter a new ice and snow season. Some icy patches to avoid on my way up and over Giant Ledge and onto Panther. A few slips and slides on my return kept me alert to my footing. On GL I started meeting the incoming weekend crowd so it was no surprise to find the parking lot at the hairpin curve overflowing. Dropped down to McKenley Hollow PA, hoping to find a spot to park, had lunch in the car then headed up to do E & B. Fewer hikers and deeper snow encountered compared to Panther. Following footprints out to Eagle from today but the hiker(s) turned around literally five minutes from the herd path to the new canister. It was a shame to get that close and not get the peak- oh well. Back over to the col and up to the obelisk on Balsam then a speedy descent to the PA before darkness fell.