While searching for which hike to do next, I saw an article stating that the Old Rag is the best hike in the Mid-Atlantic region which was enough motivation for me to go for it.
In cold freezing winter I didn’t gathered enough motivation until one day I suddenly saw that the temp hitting 72°F (22°C) the very next weekend which is a perfect day for a hike. Working as a realtor as a buyer’s agent in this crazy real estate market where every offer is beaten upon and no inventory to sell definitely needed a break. I don’t like solo trips as I enjoy sharing happiness and love chatting during the journey so texted to about a dozen friends and we quickly formed a team of five who were interested and available.
Now, after the trip I completely agree that this hike is one of the best in Mid-Atlantic and highly recommend going for it to all my friends and spears.
This hike is strenuous with about 2400 feet of elevation gain, lots of switchback trails in about 10 miles trail, and rock scrambling’s, a lot of them finally comes with a great reward, the 360° view of the Shenandoah Mountains. It is challenging as well as fun and very adventurous. I loved the fact that I was able to do it with some of my friends and very best people I am surrounded with.
Synopsis:
Name of the Hike: Old Rag Mountain Summit
Distance: 9.8 miles
Time: 7-8 hours
Best time to visit: May through October (Open year around, avoid snow, and rainy days please)
Elevation: 3284 feet (not the tallest in Virginia but most difficult)
Difficulty: Strenuous and rock scrambling (to climb a simple rock face or mountain without using a rope or other technical climbing gear. The process of scrambling lies between hiking and technical rock climbing. Perhaps the best way to differentiate it from hiking is that in rock scrambling, you use your hands for balance and to pull up)
Age: Old Rag Mountain is underlain by a rock called the Old Rag Granite. Old Rag Granite formed just a little over one billion years ago during a mountain-building event known to geologists as the Grenville orogeny. (usgs.gov)
Fees and Permit: NEW RULE: Need to go to recreation.gov and book for Old Rag Mountain Tickets. Costs $1 and one person can request up to 4 permits each day and a total of 800 tickets are available for each day- this will be sold out during spring, and weekends due to popularity of this hike. Plan and get yours early- open 30 days in advance. Another thing to remember is there is no cell phone service in the area, so need to either PRINT or SCREENSHOT the QR-Code of your ticket. Additionally, you need a Shenandoah National Park entry ticket- $15/person or $30 per car or $50 yearly fee or $80 NPS all American entry card, or a NPS disable card.
Parking: Free parking available
Pets: Not Allowed
Tips for hiking: Bring a pair of hiking gloves, and wear long sleeves clothes and long pants for skin protection. Many times you will have close contact with the rocks and sometimes on your knees. So wearing the right clothes would prevent you getting scraped by rocks. Walking poles, enough water and snacks. The backpack should be small and pack lightly as you need to pass a narrow road between giant rocks. Avoid the crowds by planning the trips on weekdays as at times, the parking lot will be full, and there can be long lines and substantial waits at some of the narrow rock scrambles.
Alternative hike option: via Saddle Trail .Easier and shorter route with no rock scrambling, less views on route but still enjoy the summit and its 360-degree view. Good for kids and for less fit hikers.
Early in the morning at 6 am we met at a shopping center at Gainesville, VA at coffee shop and parked our vehicle and opted for a ride share. Especial thanks to Shiba for offering all of us a ride, we reached the Old Rag parking lot at 7:45 and immediately started our hike upon checking in with the park rangers at entrance. The first two miles is just a trail through the forested section, nothing exciting but the fun began once we reach the boulder scramble section. The first one, we had to crawl between the giant rocks and the first time we made our hands dirty but soon we realized, it was just the beginning. We jumped, pushed, pulled, over, under and became sandwiched like a Cheeseburger between gigantic rocks. It came to my mind that I am doing a roleplay of a mouse who goes in the hole, jumps up, and around the rocks. Many times I felt like we are now at the summit before realizing that there is still more to go. My walking poles and hiking boots were one of the best things I had other than my awesome friends and the hiking globes were the things I missed the most as the body weight needed to be supported by the arms- you just need to be fit but no technical rock-climbing experience required for this hike.
Among us Babu and Sahadev had previously did this hike before and first time for Prakash, Shiba and myself. Both Babu and Sahadev are photographers and took lots of photos in route. Most of the photos used here are taken by them. Babu shared his previous experience that he along with a group had previously started the hike at 1 am and reached the summit at 5:30am right in time to capture the sunrise into his lens. During this time, it was getting very difficult and equally enjoyable experience. The perfect way to describe might be “Brutally Awesome”.
By 11:15 we finally reached the summit. Enjoyed the beautiful 360-degree view. It was a feeling that you are in top of the world, you will see layers upon layers of Blue Ridge Mountains stretch for as far as your eyes can see. Since we all were tired, probable me more among our group just laid in the rock, on the top and had our snacks. Oh my, the wind, felt like it will blow us away, off the cliff.
We then started descending, was slightly longer than theascent, is a much more gradual grade, we pass two shelters. First is the Byrds Nest Shelter, then the Old Rag Shelter before hitting a junction. Again, nicely maintained, but kind of steep until you hit Junction. No rock scrambles after the summit. Stay to your right to continue back on the Weakley Hollow Fire Road for about four miles to return to the parking lot. You will pass through beautiful forests and see Brokenback Run that leads into the Hughes River. We stopped for a break for about 10 mins at the river and enjoyed the spring cold water by making our feet wet and washing our face then continued the path. We were very tired, and I could hardly move a step further once we arrived back to our car at 2:30 as planned.
Once in a car, enjoyed classical music on the way back.Looking the country roads running away something came in my mind- Shall I be doing few 14ers next? When I do, will try to write my experience again. This is a challenging hike that will take most users several hours. Hiking Old Rag is an adventure that should be on every DMV area (DC, Maryland, Virginia) hiker’s bucket list.
Mr. Jack/Jewan Tiwari is a realtor. Customers can reach out to him as below:
Call: 703-507-2367 (Direct)email: jack.jewan@gmail.com
Samson Properties14526 Lee Road, Suite:100Chantilly, VA 20151 Samson Properties- Gainesville13575 Heathcote Blvd #340
Gainesville, VA 20155
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