Mt. Shaw and Tate Mtn., July 12, 2008

We will be hiking Mount Shaw (2990'), in Tuftonboro NH, the highest point in the Lakes Region including a spur to Black Snout, an outlook with splendid views south over Lake Winnipesaukee.

NEXT HIKE: July 12, Mt. Shaw and Tate Mtn.
MEETING SPOTS: Exit 14 off of Rt. 93, LL Bean/Hannaford side, Concord at 8:00 a.m.
Mobile station in Wakefield (junction of Rt. 16 and 109) at 8:00 a.m.
Shaw Trailhead at 9:30 a.m
TRAILHEAD: NH Route 171 about 2.0 miles E of Castle in the Clouds entrance and about 1.8 miles E of Shannon Brook Trail kiosk.
From I-93 Exit 23, take NH Route 104 E about 8 miles until it ends at Meredith. Turn L on US Route 3 and go .8 miles to a traffic light just beyond the public docks. Turn R on NH Route 25 and go 10.1 miles passing through Moultonborough village. Turn R on NH Route 109 and go 2.2 miles, then turn L on NH Route 171 and go 3.9 miles passing Sodom Road. The trailhead is nearly opposite Sodom RD on the far (E) side of the Fields Brook bridge, there is a woods road with wide spots for parking but no trail sign.
HIKE LEADER: Sue Murphy

Fourteen of the Seacoast Dayhikers met at the trailhead to Mount Shaw via Tate Mountain (a.k.a. Big Ball Mountain) in Tuftonboro/Moultonborough. All were eager to begin hiking as Jack explained the course of the "Italian Trail" otherwise known as Tate Mountain Trail that he had explored and ascended the day before (in record time).

Shaw Trail started out fairly flat through the woods following a good-sized brook with waterfalls and pools. There were quite a variety of mushrooms along the trail which were noticed by all!!

We veered right at the red/green blaze (Italian Trail marker) and continued on toward Black Snout and Tate Mountain. The trail had some steep ascents over rocks and boulders and several lovely vantage points where we stopped momentarily to grab handfuls of blueberries.

Tate Mountain had a ledgey summit where we snacked then continued on down, down, down then up again for another steep ascent to what is known as Black Snout. From there we walked on an overgrown carriage road for about a mile of switchbacks until we were on the summit of Mount Shaw with excellent views to the north and east. We lingered there a while then departed when a large group from a nearby camp arrived.

The descent was down Shaw Trail which made the hike into a nice loop. At the bottom some of us cooled our feet in the brook and Jack actually took a quick invigorating swim! The Concord and Seacoast contingencies each discussed where the ice cream stop would be and we said our goodbyes.

Members may see more photos in our online photo album.