Old Rag Mountain Hike

Old Rag Mountain - SNP, Virginia


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Length	Difficulty	Streams	Views	Solitude	Camping
8.0 mls
Hiking Time: Elev. Gain: Links: Resources:	5.5 hours plus a half hour for lunch 2,510 ft Shenandoah National Park Shenandoah National Park Old Rag Video Guide Printable Topo Hike Map (PDF) Sperryville Weather Forecast Graphic Precip/Temp Forecast Current Weather Radar Loop (Java) Garmin (GDB), GPS eXchange (GPX) (What's this?) 3D View of Route! Old Rag Geology
From:	e.g. 12000 Government Center Parkway 22035 or Fairfax VA Park at the 200 car parking area on SR600/Nethers Rd.

The Old Rag Mountain hike in the Shenandoah National Park is one of the most popular hikes in the mid-Atlantic region. With many spectacular panoramic views, and one of the most challenging rock scrambles in the park, this circuit hike is favorite of many hikers. But be prepared for the crowds. This is the only hike we give a star rating for solitude.

On the other hand, it's the only hike we give a star rating to for views. Many hikers also prefer to do this loop counterclockwise, thereby tackling the rock scramble on the Ridge Trail on the downhill. Either way, the rock scramble can be challenging, being both steep, and requiring climbing through cracks in the rock. The best bet to enjoy this great hike is to be at the trail head by 7 a.m. before all the crowds arrive.

From the lower Old Rag parking area walk 0.5 miles up SR600 where it veers left and in another 0.4 miles ends at the Old Rag closed upper parking area. Turn left uphill on the blue blazed Ridge Trail next to the closed gate. The trail will gradually increase in grade and make nine switch backs before reaching the first of many view points in 1.9 miles. From the first vista point to the west, the Ridge Trail will become more rocky before reaching the main easterly vista on the ridge in another 0.2 miles.

NOTE: From this point to the summit in 0.9 miles, the trail becomes a rock scramble with narrow passages, and several spots requiring hand over hand climbing.

From the easterly vista on the ridge start up the rock scramble, with the first obstacle a 12ft deep small crack in the rock. Climb to the bottom and follow it out to the left. Continue following the blue blazes passing around to the easterly side of the ridge and through another crack where the trail meets a small cliff. From here, the trail will become increasingly steep going through a small cave, before reaching the minor summit where the trail turns left. Be careful to follow the blue blazes, as there are several false trails that lead to overlooks.

After passing around the minor northerly summit, the trail becomes less steep, but still requires rock-hopping for most of the remaining 0.3 miles to the true summit, where there are several points with 360° views.

Continue south along the Ridge Trail now descending for 0.3 miles to the junction of the Saddle Trail and Byrd's Nest Shelter. Turn right descending on the blue blazed Saddle Trail, then in 0.6 miles pass the Old Rag Shelter. Both shelters are available for day use only. From the Old Rag Shelter the trail widens and follows a forestry road for the 0.4 miles to the intersection of the Berry Hollow Fire road (left), Old Rag Fire Road (straight), and Weakley Hollow Fire Road (right).

Turn right downhill on the yellow blazed Weakley Hollow Fire Road. In 1.2 miles pass the Robertson Mountain Trail, and in another 200 yards the Corbin Hollow Trail. Continue along the Weakley Hollow Fire Road the remaining 0.8 miles back to the upper parking area.

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Hiker Reviews For The Old Rag Mountain Hike (5 Most Recent)

Review the Old Rag Mountain hike here! Average Review Rating:

By: Robert	Rating:	Date of Hike: Wednesday, March 10, 2010
I've been up on Old Rag plenty of times at this point (over thirty) and this was the first time I've seen this much snow still on the trails. Be sure to have boots with extremely good traction that are well-waterproofed as well as long pants to protect your shins when you sink into the snow (that may have been more my problem though, I was the heaviest person I saw on the mountain by a good eighty pounds that day). The Ridge Trail is an easier hike up than I would surmise the Saddle Trail to be due to the length of moderate snow still on the Saddle Trail, but I went back down the Saddle Trail as there were a few areas of water and ice on the Ridge Trail which I didn't really want to bother with again on the way back down. The upside of the Ridge Trail is that the pinch point is almost completely filled with snow, so you can just gingerly walk up through it instead of climbing through it sideways. I'm going to give it another few weeks (maybe right before the upper lot closes) before I wander up there again.

By: HikewithJesus.com	Rating:	Date of Hike: Saturday, March 06, 2010
This is my 6th hike of Old Rag in 2010. I would still recommend bringing micro-spikes with you on this hike until all the snow is gone. With the wet slushy snow in some areas yesterday you can't get any leverage to push off which puts strain on your knees. There are also many icy or semi-frozen patches on the trail as well as many opportunities to put your foot through 2 feet of snow just off the padded trail so gaiters are a smart choice as well. Many thanks to the snowshoers who paved the original path after the 3 feet of snow blizzard asI saw their tracks 3 hikes ago. In the future I would recommend snowshoes after a large snow fall and then crapons or spikes after that. There is also a good bit of mud on the clear areas of the fire trail. Unfortunately the upper parking area will be closed forever at the end of this month adding .9 miles to the hike each way if the loop is done so don't expect the shorter hike in the future.

By:	Rating:	Date of Hike: Sunday, February 28, 2010
I chose to hike Old Rag today as part of my early training and preparation for the AT later this Spring.��I started the hike from the lower parking lot around 1215 PM and chose to hike counterclockwise, up the fire road first.�� The snow on the road was packed for the most part making the long ascent up a little easier.� Once on the trail heading towards Old Rag shelter the path became a little more difficult as the base of snow higher up was easily 18" to 24" deep.� I saw several people today hiking in tennis shoes and shorts!� The temperature on top of Old Rag was a cool 28 degrees when I passed over, and the snow flurries picked up the pace as the wind blew even harder on top.��Coming off�the summit down the Scramble was very difficult.� Had I not had treking poles I would fallen and slipped through the tight passes.� Once off the rocks and down the Ridge Trail is was OK all the way back to the parking lot.� I completed the hike today in 4 hrs and 30 mins.� I will continue to do my AT training on Old Rag but I won't return�until more snow and ice thaw.� BE PREPARED if you go.� Good boots, treking poles, warm clothes, gloves and, of course water.��Enjoy and be safe.

By: Bob Look	Rating:	Date of Hike: Sunday, January 31, 2010
The NPS has posted signs on Old Rag�starting in mid-April 2010 the upper parking lot will be closed to the public.��Once the upper lot is closed all hikers will�need to park at the lot near the Old Rag Contact station.

By: HikewithJesus.com	Rating:	Date of Hike: Saturday, January 30, 2010
I've hiked this trail 8-9 times already. Make sure you have ice traction devices for your boots. We hiked it in the snow storm and it was quite a challenge! We also used hiking poles, it only took us 5hr 45 min from start to finish! We went up and down the fire road side. It is a good idea to leave your pack at the Bird's Nest shelter before heading to the summit to save weight.

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Mid October

Mid April (photos courtesy of Jake)