Castle in the clouds
 

We have heard a lot about going from the lake up to the Castle in the clouds trails, but we have not been able to locate a trail map. Does anyone know how to get from the lake to the castle or where we could purchase a map that shows the trails?

We are looking to go this Thursday and or Friday and want to be prepared so we can spend most of our time snowmobiling and not searching for a map.


Thanks

Castle trail
 

You can get onto a trail leading to the Castle in several locations. I happen to jump on over at Moultonboro Bay over by Ambrose Cove. Just to the right of the Ambrose Marina is a trail that will take you to the Castle.

The closest trail to you from Rattlesnake Island would be Winter Harbor. Go straight down to the Libby Museum, take that trail from the lake and follow the signs.
There are many other ways to get there,.. this would be the easiest for you.

Map; http://www.moultonborosmc.com/trails_and_maps.htm

You can get a snowmobile trail map at Skelley's in Moultonborough on route 109. I bought one there this weekend.

Great, thanks.

Is that a main corridor?

That's definitely part of the trail system. I think it's called Arey's trail after the prior name of that marina.

Corridor 15
 

Corridor 15 goes over the Castle property to West Ossipee. Keep in mind however that there is currently only one trail that goes over the mountain to Ossipee. Several years ago several trails there were closed to snomo traffic. You can no longer go up to Mts. Shaw or Roberts but the trip over to Ossipee is spectacular. If you want to shorten your trip from the lake, you can drive and park in a lot on route 171 in Moultonborough. The parking lot is just down the street from the entrance to the Castle. Also keep in mind that you can't actually sled anywhere near the castle. Once you get to West Ossipee, it is an easy trip to White Lake State Park and trails to Wonalancet, Lake Chocurua, Sandwich, Conway....... keep going!

Another way to get there off the lake is to take the trails from Melvin Village which exits the lake between Melvin Village marina and the big yellow house. It's an easy trail from there to the castle property.

Mt Shaw is open!
 

Zee,

Mt Shaw is open to riding. Also there is a second trail open this year (Thanks to the BOT and Mike Weeks for doing the work to re-open it) that takes you around to the East and down the back side heading to Ossippee. It is a real nice run. :)
Who knows maybe another trial next year?

George

WINNOCTURN

We went out today and took the Mt Shaw summit trail up to the top. The trail conditions were great and the view was incredible. Tomorrow we are going to go further on the trails and see how those are, I hope the warmer temps don't hurt the trails too bad.
The lake was a different story, very slushy and thick.

Conditions 3/21 - fine
 

The Ossipee trails from the Castle parking lot to the top of Shaw was amazingly great today! Soft snow, smooth grooming, no fully open water bars. The top of the mountain saw some serious icing this week, and there is 3/4" of ice on the trees. You don't want to get off the trail, because there is a serious ice layer over everything, but there is still over 2 feet of base in the woods. Mid-winter conditions! The Aries connector trail from the lake is another matter. Frozen crud and open water bars - but it isn't that long. Enjoy!