Trip/Event Location: Moultonborough, NHUS
Trip Leader(s): Gandalf
Max # People: 15
Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money
Difficulty Level: Moderate
If you're looking for a moderate mountain-climbing hike, then this hike to Mt. Shaw with spectacular views from the Lakes Region tallest peak may be just what you had in mind. It's
From South and West and I-93: Follow I-93 to Exit 23, then take Rt. 104 east towards Meredith. At end of Rt. 104, turn left (North) on Rte 3. In 1/2 mile, at lights, turn right (East) onto Rt. 25 and follow into Moultonborough. Turn right onto Rt. 109 South, go 2 miles, then bear left onto Rt. 171. Look for the Ossipee Park Road which is approx. 1 mile on left. If you've reached the Castle in the Clouds entrance you've gone too far. Read Ossipee Park Road Directions further below. From the South: (Portsmouth, Rochester) and I-95: Take Rt. 16 north. Turn left onto Rt. 171 in Ossipee. Continue on Rt. 171 for approx. 16 miles. Ossipee Park Road will be on your right about 1 miles past the Castle in the Clouds entrance. Read Ossipee Park Road Directions further below. From the North: Take Rte 16 south to Rt. 25 West in West Ossipee. Turn right onto Rt. 25 West and continue for approx. 10 miles. In Moultonboro, turn left (South) onto Rt. 109 south, go 2 miles, then bear left onto Rt. 171. Look for the Ossipee Park Road which is approx. 1 mile on left. If you've reached the Castle in the Clouds entrance you've gone too far. Read Ossipee Park Road Directions further below. Ossipee Park Road Directions: Drive up Ossipee Park Road to the hiker parking area on the right just outside the back gate of the Castle grounds. We will be driving a blue Toyota FJ Cruiser.
For our last GetFit Hike in the Ossipee Range, we set out to climb the highest peak in the Lakes Region.
We met at the back gate to Castle in the Clouds, near the water bottling plant.
The first leg was to take the Lower Bridle Path, which was a gradual ascent on a grassy and muddy old dirt road [we missed the trail being diverted right into the woods to bypass the very muddy sections on the ascent].
Soon, we reached a spur path that would bring us to a viewpoint of Lake Winnipesauke [where we interrupted a naked couple who were 'going at it' at this lovely spot]. We used some various other trails to continue our ascent eventually reaching the Upper Bridle Path that weaved us through the forest and stone walls. It led us to a ledge with an excellent view of Lake Winnipesauke. After meeting up with the white-blazed Oak Ridge Cutoff trail we found the High Ridge Trail that was 1.8 miles away from Mt. Shaw.
From here, the trail follows an old carriage road. After hiking relatively flat for a while, the trail meets up with Black Snout Connector Trail, another old carriage road. We took a left here and continued our ascent following the High Ridge Trail.
The views from Mt. Shaw were tremendous ~ from Moosilauke to the Carter Range, the White Mountains are on full display. We soaked in the sunshine and had lunch here.
It ended up being a very fun hike! Knowing there are some additional well marked trails up Mt. Shaw now, we'll probably check those out at a later time.
Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous
Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous
Outdoor Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate
