This was our first trip to Virginia, and definitely will not be our last. We Brought our camper and Camped at Big Meadows. It was fantastic. I found the hike online before we went, and prepared our gear in case we got stuck or injured on the mountain. I'm 6' and weigh in at 290#'s. It was a difficult hike for me, but I finished the circuit in about 8 hours along with my wife, who is extremely physically fit, along with one of our friends who is in rather good shape. It took it's toll on each of us. The sights were fantastic, and we all enjoyed the rock scramble more than anything else. Small Packs would have been better, we were each carrying 3000-3500 cu.in. packs weighing about 30-35#'s a piece with food and water. But as stated we over prepared. had we not I would probably not made it as i did dehydrate, and suffered from heat exhaustion about 30 minutes from the summit. we each carried 100oz hydration packs and two 30oz nalgene bottles a piece. Make sure you take gatorade powder or some sort of electrolyte replacement with you. we carried an all sport a piece, and would have done better mixing heavily along the way to replace the electrolytes. All i can say is that i would do it again in a heart beat. I shattered my knee two years ago, and have been very inactive do to it, and not wanting to mess it up again. but this was the beginning of getting back in shape. It's strenuous, but can be done!

It's as close to a bluebird day in July as we can have in Virginia.  Not a cloud in the sky all weekend and low humidity made for great climbing weather.  As a group of ten with skill levels from Advanced Mtn. Rescue to rock hugger, we were able to push pull and coax so everyone had a great day.

WOW !!  What a hike ! Me and my 13 year old son did this hike and it was great !

Alittle long but it was great at the top .

took a Amateur radio up with us , 2 meter and a back pack beam antenna and worked over 200 miles on 5 watts .

Can't wait to go back !!!

HAVE FUN BUT BE SAFE

I saw many folks doing the hike without any mciro ice traction assistence on their feet.  So at least this weekend it can be done in just regular footware. 

There is lots of bare rock and the ice and snow is very thin so crampons would be a hinderance.   YakTrax, microspikes, stabilizers are perfect.  Having the right equipment will mean that your hike will be far more pleasurable, faster and safer.   

The snow was well beaten down so there was no need to break trail or worry about post holing.   Most of the trail snow had the consistency of a snow cone but some had already melted and refrozen into ice.

Many parts of the fire roads could still be skied but the snow is very icy.  There was probably a window of several days after the big snow when the skiing on the fire roads was wonderful.

Keep in mind this is backcountry.   If someone slips and becomes non-ambulatory (injuries happen here even in the summer) you are looking at MANY! hours until first responders arrive.   Your group should be prepared to self-rescue or keep a non-ambulatory victim warm for 6 to 12 hours even during clear weather.  Expect this timeframe to extend for more than a day in the middle of an intense snow or ice storm.    Some cell phones work high on the mountain but  none work low on the mountain. There is an emergency phone on the Old Rag fee station.    If you are solo on the mountain make sure their is someone that knows to call for help if you do not return when you should.   

Hiked this with my 12-yr old son and my sister-in-law.  This was the first time for all of us.  We made good time going up and extensive research had prepared me as to what to expect, including the rock scrambles.  The only thing I would add to all the other reviews is that you have to be creative when going through the rocks.  I think size and body type may determine which way works best for you.  It is a very difficult hike, so please be prepared, good shoes are a must, and bring plenty of water.

Plan on getting there early to avoid the crowds at the rocks.  We were on the trail by 8:30 and did not have to wait in any lines.

This is a great hike.  I would definitely do it again.

We got to the trail head at 7:50 but the upper lot was already full :(

It's really kind of annoying to have to park a mile away, but it's not a bad walk.  Left the lower parking lot at 8:10 and got back to the upper lot at 8:25.  Got to the top by 10:30, with various stops at the overlook.  It was kind of cloudy, foggy today, so there weren't perfect views, but it was nice.  Also, surprisingly few people.  The scrambling was GREAT!  Definitely not your garden variety Virginia hike.  It gave this one lots of personality and some interesting twists.  It was beautiful and fun.

We had "brunch" at the top for about an hour, and then headed down the backside.  Frankly, that was a little boring.  Those fire roads are long and tedious.  And then, of course, had to hike the extra mile down to the lower parking lot.

Although extremley exhausted by nights end, the hike itself was exciting and rewarding. The best part about the entire hike was that I completed it with my 11 yr old son as part of a youth to manhood series we are participating in with our church Church of the Messiah, Fredericksburg, VA. It was inspiring and definately one of the toughest things i ever attempted and I am proud to say, completed. Most of all, I am extremely happy my son and i did it together.

Chris McCrae

CJ1775@aol.com

My girlfriend and I are doing four hikes in four days here and we thought that we would tackle Old Rag first.  We are both 44 years old and take care of ourselves physically.  We parked at the trailhead lot, arriving at 6:30 am to find four other cars already in the lot. (we would've been there sooner if google maps didn't take us to the Berry Hollow trail...we ended up getting directions from a local guy on his way out to hunt).  If we return, I'll definitely get out early again...adding an extra two miles to the hike going back and forth to the other parking lot isn't really appealing.  The hike took us a total of six hours with numerous stops for photos, rest, and a quick, preventative maintenance, potential blister issue.  We spent about 30 minutes at the peak.  I went through 2 liters of water on the trek vs. her 1.5.  The rock climbs were pretty strenous at times, but we were having so much fun that we didn't notice until later that evening the toll it took.  There were definitely several spots where I had to pull her up along this stretch...you should bring a friend along for help if you feel that you lack upper body strength.  (for those thinking about bringing dogs along, please don't...there are parts of the trail that are way too dangerous for them)

Fortunately, we didn't see any of the local dogs...(I want to see deer and bear...not somebody's scroungy looking mutt).  About a hundred yards into the trail we did hear a bunch of crashing in the brush off to our right.  A very large deer leapt right across the trail about ten feet in front of us and into the brush on the other side.  I never did see what spooked it....I'm guessing it wasn't us or it would've headed in the other direction.

Pets are not allowed on the Ridge Trail or on the Saddle Trail above Old Rag Shelter.  For more info check out:

http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/pets.htm

Always a great hike which will have its parking improved in the  future.   SNP recently released its future plans for parking at Old Rag.   For more info see the parking plan entry on my Old Rag Patrols blog.

http://oldragpatrolsbyrsl-blook.blogspot.com/

What a rush!!!  Jen and I couldn't stop saying "WOW"!  The hike was everything that we had read and heard about.  The 8+ mile trip tested our endurance and strength.  We traveled the loop clockwise with the vertical trail being steep and long.  Once we got to the rock scramble, our leg pains went away.  The hike was so worth the results.  The scramble provided fantastic views and memorable scenery that we will take with us.  The hike down the other side seemed long but refreshing.  We took the saddle trail down and saw numerous deer with their young. Totally worth the trip from Akron, Ohio

What better way to start off hiking, I'm only hoping that there are other hikes that can equal this. It was fantastic.

The initial slope was a great warm up, The switchback sections were a good cardio workout, but the rock scamble has to be seen to be understood, a good pair of hiking boots are worth every penny, the rocks can be a bit slick from the mud from those who came before you, so traction given from good boots is an advantage,  but we had a few in fitness shoes and they made it up fine. After we made it to the top, I was just pumped, I wanted to do it again (after a hot tub and a week off)

On the back side, we came across a doe and fawn, great photo op. with mom allowing her fawn to feed.

One tip for those who want to hike Old Rag, Pack light, only take what you need, a light camera is worth it. That was my last hike lugging my big DSLR. TAKE PICTURES< TAKE PICTURES, TAKE PICTURES.

I drained a 100oz camelback, with a quart of backup to spare, I'm happy that we didnt have full sun, a hot day would have been a little differment.

Total time, with stops for photo ops, lunch, and breaks: 6 Hours, starting and finishing at lot #2. Workout stats: 4200 calories, (pusing 225 lbs up hill is hard work, even at 6'1") Fitness level: very active, Age 45.

We picked up our " I made it to the top of Old Rag" tee-shirts at a place on Rt 211, about 1.6 miles west of Main street (Rt. 522) is Sperryville.

We are looking forward to doing this hike again, in the fall, the colors will be amazing, I'm sure.

Hi Auntie E.  I'm the guy who offered you the Advil.  Glad you made it down okay on Sunday.  When we got back to the upper parking lot I told the trail volunteer in the orange T-shirt that someone had injured their knee and was probably going to take a while to get down.

Old Rag is one of my favorite hikes.  I'm 55 and have done the circuit 4 times in the past 2 years.  This time I brought my wife and 10-year old daughter along for the first time.  They are both mountain goats and I had trouble keeping up with them!  Best advice is to start this hike early in the morning and bring lots of water.  I went through 3 liters and it wasn't even hot out.  We had great weather and great views of the valley and surrounding mountains.  In the summer this can be a brutal hike if you are unprepared and out of shape.

The trail patrol added a rope to ease the bottleneck just after the cave and it seems to have done the trick.  The wait there was minimal.

Worst part of this hike is the walk out on Weakley Hollow Fire Road and then the final mile or so to the lower parking lot.  Very long and boring.  The views of the mountain from the fire road in the spring or fall when the trees are not  leafed out are pretty spectacular.

I have hiked this hike many times in weather varying from arid hot summer days to snowy winter storms and I want to respond to FirstTimeHiker's review...  First of all, do you really think it's fair that you rate the hike so low just because of YOUR OWN naivete in planning and execution?

You made countless mistakes on this hike and even before the hike started that caused your suffering and you think that means it's a bad hike?  The signage on Old Rag is setup so a 10 year old can comprehend it, yet your seeming oblivion to the gigantic map at the parking lot, the free handout maps at the pay station, and the countless concrete trail markers with directions printed on them is astounding... yet you still blame the hike for your troubles.

You will probably never hike again, but if you do, please do EVERYBODY a favor (including the rescue folks who would otherwise have to bail you out) and educate yourself about "The Ten Essentials" and set realistic goals for your wilderness adventures.

First time hiker.   Sorry your hike continued to be a challenge.   Glad you made it out all right.  I am hoping you recover quickly and come back well rested on a nicer day and do the circuit in the reverse direction.   I enjoyed the time our trails overlapped for awhile.     While many treat Old Rag like it is a walk in a front country park it  is truly a backcountry wilderness hike and survival can become an issue especially when it is cold and wet outside.  Not to be overly dramatic but there are very real dangers on this mountain and people do get injured and yes some have died.    I am not a guide but work as a volunteer for Old Rag Mountain Stewards, PATC, and NPS.  You can learn more about my patrols at  http://oldragpatrolsbyrsl-blook.blogspot.com/ or  http://oldragmountainsteward.blogspot.com/  .   Your comments on signage and blazes are very good feedback.   I will make sure your comments get to appropriate parties and add some of my own concerns/thoughts.   There is no one that would normally check on cars especially since they can belong to the frequent backcountry campers in the park.   What I had said too your group was that I would check specifically for your car when I got out.  This is why I asked you to describe it.   In order to restore some of your faith in mankind,  I want you to know that I did check for your car.   I also checked for the cars of two other groups who told me they did not have any lights and were near the summit around 6PM.    While I picked up and dropped off my radio at the Old Rag Fee Station I parked my car and entered the trail from Berry Hollow on this day.   Berry Hollow is around a 20-30 minute drive from the Old Rag Fee Station.     I got back to the fee station around 10:30 and there were no cars in either lot.  Had I needed to deal with an injured hiker I may have a few hours later than this but I would have still checked or had someone else check for your car.  Of course if I had died of a stroke, heart attack, or rockslide while on the mountain you would have been out of luck.    I remained in the lower lot until around 11PM while I wrote my days report.       Visitors too Old Rag should be aware that cell phones do not generally work but that there are emergency phones at both the Old Rag and White Oak fee stations.    Visitors should also be aware that if you are injured in a non-ambulatory way on parts of Old Rag it may take as long as six hours until first responders arrive and potentially another 10 hours until your littered out to an ambulance.    While there are a few of us volunteers no one should plan on us being there and they should assume this is a self rescue mountain.    I admire the way you and your hiking partner handled the crises once it occured.    In your situation many hikers make decisions that make things worse.   You and your hiking partner did not do this and did a wonderful job of staying calm, using good judge and ingenuity to get yourselfs out safely.     

It was my first hike in a long time.  Didn't expect the rock climbing but thoroughly enjoyed it.  I wore Nike Air Maxes and I would definitely recommend hiking boots.  My shoes worked fine better than the Nike Shocks that some people in our group wore.  They were just a little slippery in some of the rock climbing areas.

I would definitely recommend this hike.  Please remember to bring lots of water and to take your water bottles with you.  Thank you to all the volunteers that were picking up trash and keeping the area beautiful.

Also there were two dogs on the trail that are from the area. Bo and I forgot the other one’s name but they were extremely nice and helpful, believe it or not.

Arguably one of the top ten hikes on the east coast.

I highly encourage you to consider this hike despite the crowds. For a small mountain it offers spectacular views and a little bit of an entry level mountaineering experience. While strenuous and requiring a few short sections of (around six foot) vertical climbing I have seen hikers as young as one and as old as ninety enjoy themselves on this hike.

Every member of your group should have fun on this trip. For some this may mean trying to push their cardio limits and for others it may mean going slowly and taking frequent breaks so it may make sense to split your group based on the pace different individuals want to sustain.

If you split your group have a well communicated group management plan. It is best to keep a buddy system and have clear expectations of where the group will reunite even if that is when everyone gets back to their cars.

It is best not to allow young adventuresome kids to get out of sight on this trail. This trail has many vertical drops, and the possibility of encountering a Bear, Copperhead or Rattlesnake, Poison ivy is common. Of course none of these things should concern you if good judgment and appropriate knowledge are being used but very serious negative consequences could result if either knowledge or judgement is missing.

If you have a large group you may want to split it up just so as to limit the groups impact on other visitors experience. During Old Rag's peak times this advice is probably mute.

If you spend time near tall grass or woods in our area you should learn about and take precautions for ticks.

As the weather gets into the 80's and 90's expect each hiker to need an ounce of water per pound of body weight for the day. (At least up to 100 ounces per hiker).

Cell phones will either not work at all or perhaps only work at a location like a summit.

With the amount of traffic this mountain receives even if only one percent of hikers litter including orange peels, banana peels, and tissue paper it results in a visual assault on future visitors. Please get up to speed and practice Leave No Trace ethics.

Dogs are not permitted on the Ridge Trail or Saddle trail above Old Rag Shelter.

I am usually on the mountain as a volunteer patroller one day of every weekend. These patrols are done for either PATC Trail Patrol or Old Rag Mountain Stewards. Starting in May the Old Rag Mountain Stewards will be on the mountain on most weekend days. We are there to help with information, injuries, lost hikers, and liter pick up. We welcome questions or requests for help. Do not depend on us being available and consider this a self-rescue mountain but that said, realize we may be able to help.

I maintain a blog about my weekly Old Rag Patrols along with lots of advice at http://oldragpatrolsbyrsl-blook.blogspot.com/ it has a link back to this site under the Blogs List section.

We stayed at Skyland Friday night and got a late start in the morning because the fog was so thick we couldn't see 2 car lengths ahead of us.  It wasn't fog after all, but a low lying cloud that hung around hung around most of the day and block the views from the trail.  The trail was still pretty crowded.  There was never a time when we didn't see other hikers.  In fact, we saw a little too much of one woman who decided to take a dump just off the trail in plain view of us.  We stopped as far away as we could and examined the tops of the trees and the rocks below us, anything but her in all her glory.  As we continued up the trail, we couldn't help noticing that this pig person left her used toilet paper right where she dropped it.  Disgusting.   For the most part, the trail was remarkedly free of trash, except for a few dropped tissues that I think were left by the same socially challenged woman. 

I'm only a weekend hiker at best.  The uphill climb and the rock scramble was a challenge, but not overly difficult.  There were a few places where I gratefully accepted a helping hand up the rocks.  Our 11-old-son was in his element, easily hopping and climbing from one rock to another.  We found a niche in a spot near the summit that was out of the wind to stop and eat lunch.  I actually sort of liked the somewhat windy chilly damp conditions of the day because it kept us cool.  The only downside was that we couldn't see anything but a blanket of clouds below us.  We had a good day. I'm only sorry I've never done this hike before because I was always a little intimidated by it. 

The hike up was spectacular. The air was cool, and the views were phenomenal. Previously, I'd only hiked Old Rag in the summer, so the views without leaves on the trees were stunning. We met a dog part way up. (THE Old Rag dog?) His tag indicated that he lived across the street from the Old Rag parking lot. We poured a little water for him, but he wasn't interested. Seems that he was just taking a breather before heading back down the mountain.

The trail conditions were excellent. There was some damp dirt on the trail but not enough to wet our boots and cause problems on the rocks. We saw a little ice but nothing we couldn't walk around. The views from the summit were gorgeous. It was chilly up there and cold enough to see your breath – but we hung around for an hour enjoying our lunch and the serenity before taking the fire road back to the parking lot. Dressing in layers is a must.

Can't wait to go back again soon to see what a new season has brought to Old Rag.

Our group of 5 (3 teenage girls, 8 yr. old boy & me) began hiking around 7:45 AM. The upper parking lot had 4 cars there when we arrived.  It took a long time to move this group up the mountain...reaching the summit around 12:30 PM.  My 8 yr. old son hiked the entire 8 mile circuit with no complaint, but the girls were a completely different story!  This is a hard hike if your not in shape.  But they loved the rock scramble and pushed themselves to finish the hike.  We met great people on the trail.  We left Old Rag with big smiles and sore feet.

We hiked Old Rag on Sunday Feb 9.  We got there about 8:00 AM, and the upper parking lot still had a few spaces left.  We met "Old Rag Dog" and he went up the trail with us for about a mile or so, before going back down with another hiker.

The weather was perfect, although windy on the summit.  Had a great time.

We began encountering some ice on the ridge trail about half way up, and it was intermittent from then on, in the shady areas.  There was a LOT of mud, particularly going down to Weakly Hollow, before the fire road. 

I do a patrol on the mountain most weekends.    Winter is a special time on the mountain.    Far fewer people and lots more views especially on lower trails that are under canopy in the warm weather.    Be aware the ice and or snow can make the route far more difficult and the lack of lots of fellow hikers adds new meaning to the concept of self rescue.   On the other hand it  is surprising the number of winter weekends when the trail is clear and dry.    I have a blog which is a photo journal of my patrols and includes helpful advice.    It can be found at:   http://oldragpatrolsbyrsl-blook.blogspot.com/.

I was the fifth vehicle in the upper parking area at 8:15 Sunday morning.  This was my first time at Old Rag.  As I was getting my gear ready, two more vehicles pulled into the lot, so I quickly started up the mountain, clockwise.  I encountered some ice before the scramble, but nothing to impair movement.  I reached the scramble, and there was a lot more ice.  I exercised a bit of caution, made my way up the mountain, and stopped to help another hiker get over a particularly large rock.  I finally reached the summit (thank you, NPS, for the sign), took in the stunning views, enjoyed a snack, and made my way around the mountain in five hours.  I'll try it counter-clockwise next time.

This was my second time up Old Rag and I brought my 24 year-old son with me this time.  He was visiting from Colorado and frequently hikes in the Rockies. 

We were pleasantly surprised to see only a handful of cars in the upper lot when we arrived at 9:00 a.m., and we didn't see anyone on the trail - even the summit.  He loved the hike and gave it the thumbs up with regards to difficulty, but he barely broke a sweat.  I was a little more challenged and he did have to give his old mom a hand up in one spot. 

The snow blew in right after we left the summit and we hurried down the back side for a 4-hour round trip.  It was sunny again by the time we reached the parking lot.

Excellent weather, very few hikers and fantastic visibility made up for our late 1pm start.  I read over and over that the hike takes 5.5 hours for the 8.8 mile loop.  I don't think this accounts for taking it all in.  One thing I wanted to make clear for Old Rag newbies (like myself), is that you will want to spend time soaking up the texture, geometry and physics of the granite, and of course the views.  If you are a camera nut, add several hours.  But here's the other thing, if you've never hiked the trail - you don't have to do the entire loop, and you don't even have to do the true summit.  The "minor" northern summit is fantastic.  We made this summit in a couple of hours up the ridge trail from the upper lot, explored around there for an hour or so, and then went back down the way we came.  I think this makes a fairly strenuous hike of a little more than 5 miles round trip.  If its your first hike, this route is also a very easy way to gauge your time at the summit, since you know the route back - and obviously the return goes faster with help from Sir Isaac going downhill.  I was unsure what to bring.  Next time, after a parking lot pre-hike sandwich, I think I'll bring a camera, a couple of granola bars and one bottle of water in a VERY small, light pack.  Note that you'll likely have to conserve with just one bottle of water, even in cooler temperatures.

I'm surprised that so many people bring young kids.  Some areas seemed very dangerous.

I accutally had a couple of questions about the hike.

I planned on doing it this weekend with some friends from out of town. We wouldn't be arriving on the mountain till about 2:00 pm and with the sunsetting at 6:15 is it possible to hike the trail? We are all in great shape, and I saw that one post did it in 4hrs 15 mins so I am holding out some hope. I am guessnig we'd have to bring some flash lights as well...

Also, can anyone recomend a good campsite near by? I can be reached at JonCunha @ gmail .com (please delete the spaces when emailing...)

First off, do not us Google/Mapquest maps, as it gives the wrong way.  Trust me, do the following:  From Sperryville go South on 522 a short distance, and turn right on 231 (Ft.Valley Road). Go approx 8 miles and take a right on 707, Sharp Rock Road.  This goes toward the winery.  It's gravel in parts & goes over a small bridge.  After the bridge, turn right (Nethers Road/707/600) and follow to the Old Rag entrance.  We wasted an HOUR w/ our other directions, and the rangers told us they were aware and were trying to get Google to update the map.  We encountered numerous others doing the same thing as we did...so don't get lost, use the above directions.  Other than that, the day was gorgeous and Old Rag came through wonderfully on our first visit out this way.  It was a bit wet in spots, and crowded near the top of the rock scramble (where we waited for 45 minutes)....but other than that, great views and some good excericse! With the late start, delays and lower lot parking (an added mile each way to walk), we still got around in about 5 hours.

I am on the mountain volunteering for the Old Rag Mountain Steward and PATC Trail Patrol organizations. October is the peak hiking season for this favorite hike. We can see between 800-1,200 hikers on a good weather October weekend day. During the peak traffic time the most difficult spot on the rock scramble (which must be done one person at a time) can have a wait-in-line time of over 45 minutes. The NPS parking lots can fill to capacity with locals sometimes providing parking on their land for a fee (estimate $10). When available the parking  in the 250 space NPS lot is free. Anytime you enter Shenandoah National Park there is an entry fee and Old Rag is no exception. If you have one of the appropriate annual passes or have paid for entry to Shenadoah National Park in the last six days you are covered.   In October the individual entry fee is $8 per person.  There are a lot of nuances to the entrance fees which can be found at http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/entrance_fees.htm.

Despite the numbers of hikers the hike is still well worth doing because (except for the choke points) the mountain easily absorbs large numbers of hikers, the rock scramble provides a fun and rewarding adventure and there are numerous wonderful top-of-the-world views.

You can avoid the crowds by time-shifting to very early in the morning,  going on a weekday when it is almost empty,  hiking it in bad weather, or hiking it during a less popular month. With darkness coming earlier each day it is best to bring a light or two(unlike suburban streets darkness can sometimes mean not even being able to see your hands or feet). There are no pets allowed on the Old Rag Ridge trail or above the Old Rag Shelter on the Saddle Trail. Many would discourage bringing very young children but If you are going to bring young children, it is best to have at least two adults so one can be at the bottom and one at the top of the 6-10 foot vertical sections where a young child may need spotting, encouragement, or to be actually handed up or down.

Fun Facts: Old Rag Granite was formed around a billion years ago and is some of the oldest rock in the park.

When the park was formed there were many homesteads dotting the flanks of the Weakley Hollow side of Old Rag Mountain. Near the intersection of the Old Rag and Weakley Hollow fire roads there used to be a Post Office, School, General Stores, and churches.

Wonderful!! I did it with my Fiancee and we are not hikers. We are in pretty good shape and we actually made the entire loop in less than 4 hours and we stopped to take pictures and to eat some sandwiches at the summit. The rock scramble was interesting but nothing really tough, I did have to help her out with a push or pull up in spots. I took a hydration pack with 2 liters and she took one with 1 liter and we both had plenty of water left at the end.

The views are awesome and it is a great alternative way to get in a good day of exercise and to enjoy the outdoors.

I've wanted to hike Old Rag for a long time (lived in DC for 20 years and never done it) and declared that it's how I would celebrate my 45th birthday.  My husband and I are of moderate fitness level (mostly weekend warriors) and really enjoyed the hike.  The scrambles were fun (there were two challenging sections but fellow hikers were very patient as we plotted our course).   We saw a bear in the cornfield as we were parking and a cub ran past us on the Weakley Hollow Fire Road. 

This is the first time I have hiked this mountain in over 15 years. But the difference this time is: I have one less foot and I took my 8 year old daughter for her first mountain hiking experience. All of the spectacular views I can remember as a child I now have with my daughter. Another great part of this story is that my dad also climbed with us at 73 years old. So, anyone scared of this mountain should not be because if a senior, a crippled dude and an 8 year old girl can do this hike, anyone can  do it. It is challenging, especially with one leg, but I did it and plan on taking my other daughter next summer.

The One Legged Guy

Check out the One Legged Guy on top of Old Rag Mountain

I hiked this trail last summer. For the one person who asked about dogs... I brought my medium sized dog (lab/pointer mix) and he did better than i did! I even did the trail backwards so i had to go down the rock scramble, and he was fine. I suggest taking a dog for wonderful exercise on this trail!

I am mighty glad  you posted your review.   I was bushwacking up on Old Rag catching  some new rattlers for the next day's Sunday service and off in the distance I caught sight of Jr., a neighborhood dog flying hundreds of feet through the air like Rin Tin Tin or  Lassie with something in his mouth.   I could not see him land but it did sound like it was in a bunch of brush.  I knew Jr sometimes got bored and played  tag with moma bear but I did not think he would try Parkour.   So your posting splained a lot.   Like you, I could not find him so he must have landed okay and just takin off for home.     Of course I have not seen him doing walk-about lately so I hope he is okay.

By the way this is truly one of the best hikes ever.   You get to have fun on a granite playground.  Lots of great views.   Usually lots of intersesting; wildlife, history, geology, weather and fellow hikers/climbers.  If  you happen to see the legendary dog Jr. it is just icing on the cake.   

Great hike on Fathers' day.  Two important notes:  1) there is lost dog hiding in the rocks near the first steep downward scrabble.  He's a black and while border collie and someone had left some water for him but I think he didn't have a owner there on the hike; and 2) 15 years of hiking with the knowledge that this is rattlesnake country but the first time I've ever run into one.  To expand on the 2nd point, we were at Summit Crags and bouldering near the trail when I steped towards a boulder and heard a distinct quick rattle.  I stepped back and saw I was within one foot of a coiled and ready to strike rattlesnake.  I stepped back about four feet and it finally relaxed and slithered away under a deeper boulder crack.  When it stretched out, it was about 4 feet long and very thick.  Thank the TG's for not having gotten any closer or worse.  But the hike was great.  Bouldering at Summit Crags was good but the granite is very sharp.  Enjoy and be safe! 

Awesome hike!! No need to think about whether to hike this wonderful trail or not. I've hiked this trail numerous times, and it has not gotten old..

It was about 100 degrees out when my friend and I hiked it. Whether it's 100 degrees or not, make sure you bring enough water, wear sunscreen (you really need it), and have lots of fun! Definetely one of the best hikes in Shenandoah, if not the best..

Old Rag Mountain is a great hike.  I started at about 10:30AM and ended around 4:30PM.  My group and I could have made the circuit more quickly but we stopped at the top for a leisurely lunch/rest.  The hike up to the rock scramble is steep but manageable.  The scene is all forest with some mountain streams (ice cold) and the occassional boulder.  My favorite part of the hike was the rock scramble to the top.  It was both fun and challenging to squeeze through some of the narrow gaps and claw up the steep boulders.  The scramble is difficult but entirely 'do-able' for anyone under 300lbs and not carrying children on one's back. 

Recommendations:  1. Pack more water than you think you will need.

2.  Wear sunscreen.

3.  Wear sturdy shoes with good grips.

4.  Only hike the mountain on "dry" days.  If it's raining, even a little, forget it.  Go check out a vineyard.

5.  Plan for at least 5 hours on the mountain.

6.  Don't fret about the slow tourists at the beginning.  The climb thins out the weak.

This was an incredible trail becoming very challenging but also very fun. The temperature on Friday was 80 degrees and sunny. The first part of the ascent was normal trail with some incredible boulders along the way, but was tiring due to the constant uphill climb. After reaching the rock scramble the hike became an adrenaline rush. There are some great view areas  to stop for break and a bite to eat. The rock scramble became challenging but everyone in our party including our wives who have hardly ever hiked handled it well.  Reaching the summit was incredible and a view I will never forget. As we were sitting on the top taking a break two dogs appeared. We thought they were lost and wondered how they got to the top of the mountain but I read their tags and they were from a home near the Old Rag parking lot. They must come up the trail counterclockwise and take advantage of the hikers food who think they are lost. I was one to give some snacks. This was an amazing trip and one I will never forget. I highly recommend this adventure.

Hiked Old Rag twice in one week.  Sunday, April 6 nine of us started @ 6:30am in the rain and it pretty much rained the entire time.  We were a bit concerned about scrambling the rock but there was not a problem.  I drank 9 oz of water.

Friday, April 11 four of us hiked.  The weather was much warmer and there was no wind.  It didn't occur to me to bring sunscreen a big mistake; burned pretty bad.  Had 45oz of water and ran out @ the top.

Both times we made the loup in 4 hours. It was more difficult climbing as I have asthma and need to stop & open up my lungs, but once on the rocks and then returning it was not a problem.

Stop in Sperryville afterwards.  Both Thorton River Grill and Ray's have fantastic food.  Check their website for hours so you aren't disappointed.

Both hikes were thru meetup.com

After looking at the mountain for 20+ years, I finally decided to give it a try. On our first attempt about three weeks ago, we were turned around because the trail was impassable, to us, because of ice. We had made it to within about 1/2 mile of the top. Starting in Berry Hollow, we spent a lot of time looking for, and finding, the history of those that used to live there. With the temp around 20, mud was no problem. Once we made it to the top, we fully understood what Old Rag was all about. The amazing rock formations and spetacular views mean we will return. Calm winds allowed for the photos I had hoped for. Being able to see the area we lived at was pretty neat. Coming down, we saw something I had never read, or heard, anyone talk about. We were able to locate two of the falls in White Oak Canyon. It had also warmed up to the point that there were some pretty slick muddy spots on the trail.

larrysnatureshots.com

Megan's 3rd time and first for Chris.  Even on a chilly February day, we arrived too late at 9:30 to find a spot in the upper parking lot.  It was a beautiful clear day and warmed up to about 45 degrees.  As a result, there was still a fair amount of ice in the shadows of the rocks, which made for some tricky, slippery scrambling.  The fire road on the backside of the loop, however, found enough warmth to melt into a muddy mess.  We did have the privilege of meeting a neighborhood dog from the bottom of the mountain who climbed up most of the front side and was enjoying the sun on a rock near the top.  By the time we made our way around the loop, he was back at the bottom and harassing the horses in the field next to the lower lot.  We highly recommend boots and gloves for the rock scramble.  This is a fantastic hike, and we had a great time! 

Just did this hike for the first time. Fantastic, I didn't realize that VA had this kind of hike. It was really nice to get out of the trees, it felt almost like hiking in Maine. Got on the trail at about 9:30, and there were only a couple of other cars in the upper lot (By the time we were back down, it was full). We saw a grand total of 5 other hikers the entire day, and I think that winter is definitely the time to do this trip. An added bonus is that without the leaves on the trees, you get more views from lower on the mountain. The cold wasn't really an issue except when we stopped for lunch on the summit and the wind caught you standing still.

Gloves are a must in the cold, even if you have tough hands. I found that handling the rocks while climbing chilled my otherwise warm glove-less hands very quickly and I had to put them back on.

What a great experience.  This was my 3rd time.  I was concerned the 44 degree weather would be an issue, but since it is a rigorous hike we were very comfortable.  A little less wind would have been better.  Unlike my other 2 hikes we saw  NO ONE or heard NO ONE  the entire hike.  We had solitude.  It was a beautiful day.  The color of the leaves were incredible since fall held on so long.  We did see some ice and snow on the ground.  I'm 49, and although challenging, it was not overwhelming.  Unlike any other East coast hike I've experienced.  Regardless of the temp gloves are helpful.

I hiked this with a friend after a rainy Friday.  I was concerned that the rocks might be slick, and this was compounded by the sign at the lower parking lot that the Ranger did not recommend summitting that day due to snow and ice at the top.  But, we went for it anyway, and it was still a great hike -- it wasn't too slick .  We summitted in about 2 hours, and it was a bit cold and windy at the top, but still magnificent.  I would not recommend hiking on a day like that with any shoe other than hiking sneakers/boots, though.  We had to trust our shoes a lot to get up some of the more slippery slopes.

Old Rag is simply one of the best hikes in VA. As many of the previous reviewers have mentioned, the panorama of the SNP is sublime, the scrambles are challenging, and the crowds can be large. With around 10 hikes under my belt, here are a some suggestions for a more enjoyable day:

1)If you have to go during the weekend, go on Sunday and start after lunch. I've never seen more than 4 or 5 people at the top at any given time, and sometimes none at all (this may be offensive to some hikers' early-to-rise trail ethic...).   Also, the heat isn't as oppressive and the bugs are less omnipresent in the late afternoon.

2) Hike the opposite way. You'll never be waiting in line at the scrambles...

3) Park @ Berry Hollow on the opposite side of the mountain. Far fewer people set off from this destination and you complete the fire road at the begining, not at the end of your hike.

Outstanding hike!  I parked in betweed the lower and upper lots, not realizing that I could have parked closer.  The hike still only took about 3:10.  I packed 74 oz water/gatorade, food and first aid in the fanny pack and took off.  The first part of the hike is a gradual ascent to towards the rock scramble.  Not very steep, certainly not as steep as Little Devil Stairs or even Whiteoak Canyon.  Ah, but the scramble - great fun and excellent views!  Some of the areas of the rock scramble required some creativity, but none were very precarious.  I'm not much of a climber, but I am 6'5", so the long legs probably heiped.  Spent about 25 minutes up at the top, going from boulder to boulder, then headed back down.  Got down to the car in a little over an hour, but did run some of the fire road, as it is an easy trail.  Upper parking lot was full when I passed it at about 11 a.m. and people were walking up from the overflow.

This was my first hike; recommended to me by a friend that did it last summer.  I am in fairly moderate shape and did not have any major issues with Old Rag.  I am 6'2" so the rock scramble (my favorite part) was a little easier for me.  It was a great hike with amazing viewpoints.  Overall, for it being my first hike and seeing the "difficult" reviews; I would have to say that it was easier than I expected.  I completed the trip in 4 hours with a half hour for lunch and several 5-10 minute stops on the way up.

Be sure to check out the stream by the 10 car parking lot; it's another nice photo op.

This is the best trail!!!  I have done this trail several times since 1998.  I found going up the fire trail first, then scrambling down the rocks instead of up is much more enjoyable.  My recommendations are as follows:  Ensure you have a full camel back for drinking, and extra water in your vehicle.  Carry a pair of sturdy, velcro straped sandals that have the toe open.  A lot of people's tops of their toes start to hurt from the constant going down the mountain.   Energy bars or food that will keep. Weight lifting gloves for the scrambling on the rocks.  A sturdy walking stick that also serves to help people up or down tough spots.  A good rag to wipe sweat off.  I am not a bear expert, but have seen a bear more than once.  One was pacing us.  We just talked really loud.  That seemed to work.

You have had a great work out by the end of the day.

Super hike!  Warm humid day, that's OK, I needed to sweat.   I had been worried that the trail would be too crowded on Mem Day weekend, but not a problem.  There were only a few times of 1-2 minute waits at certain chokepoints.  Our group went at a moderate pace on this warm day.  We had a leisurely lunch, at least 45 min., and totaled, i think, 5.5 hours roundtrip (from lower parking area).

There was a dog (beagle) by himself on the rocks, past that first drop-in slot.  What should we have done?  Rangers down below were gone by the time we got back to parking area.

This is one of my favorite hikes.   We arrived at the parking lot early and found a space in the upper parking lot.  The weather was beautiful and the trail wasn't crowded.    Recommend hiking with a buddy on this hike.  The Rock Scrambles are difficult and a hand or a push/lift are  needed at times.  The first time I hiked this trail I experienced anxiety on the high peaks and swore I would never hike Old Rag again.   After hiking this 4 more times I feel secure and enjoy the challenge.  The views are beautiful, the rock scrambles are challenging.  Look forward to future hikes on Old Rag. 

I would definately recommended the buddy system on this trail and take lots of water. But a great challenge, I highly recommend it.

The weather was perfect, about 50 degrees.  I felt a little over dressed in the beginning but soon the temperature dropped and I was more comfortable.  The kids started to complain about 2/3 of the way up to reach the rock scramble (bored and a little tired).

When reached the rock scramble their eyes lit up.  We had to lift the children over several areas, but they were having the time of their life.  We all had a renewed vigor with the fun and the challenge of the rock scramble.

The kids started a little complaining about 1/4 of the way down the descent, and continued some intermittent complaining until we reached the parking lot.  That having been said, they loved the hike, and cannot stop talking about it.  It was the best hike they have ever done.  It might have been a little easier without miles of the boring fire road at the bottom.