Mount Shaw, at 2,990 feet the highest peak in the Ossipee Mountains, has a geological backstory as large as its topographic presence. The entire range is a remnant of a 125-million-year-old Cretaceous stratovolcano, its circular ring-dike complex visible in satellite imagery as a 9-mile-wide arc across the Lakes Region. That topographic isolation yields 2,330 feet of prominence, placing Shaw among only twelve New Hampshire peaks with over 2,000 feet of relief above surrounding terrain, and earns it a spot on the NH 52 With a View list.
The mountain sits within the Castle in the Clouds conservation estate and can be reached via a network of old roads and carriage paths. Two routes see the most traffic: the Shaw Trail from Route 171 and the Cold Spring Trail from the main estate trailhead, both covering roughly 7.5 to 8 miles round trip with around 1,800 feet of elevation gain. The Shaw Trail can be extended into a loop taking in Black Snout and Tate Mountain for a more varied outing. The terrain is gradual for most of the approach, with the final push to the summit the steepest section.
The summit has a small loop, with the best viewpoints opening to the north. On a clear day, the view spans Franconia Ridge and the Presidential Range, with Lake Winnipesaukee and Squam Lake spread out below. In winter, portions of the route double as snowmobile trails, so hikers should stay alert on those sections.
