Hiking VA: Old Rag Mountain

 Old Rag Mountain 

@Shenandoah national park (SNP)

       

Be aware: there are no phone services in many places at SNP. Set up your locations beforehand.  

Old Rag Mountain Loop is a 9.5 mile loop trail, and it is rated as the most difficult trail at SNP. The summit is 3291 ft. above sea level, and the elevation gain is about 2,683 ft. Be prepared for a 6 to 7 hour long hike, bring plenty of water with you.

Parking: Old rag parking (about 200 car capacity).

It is recommended to take the loop clockwise -- hike 1 (false summit), 2 (summit), 4 (Byrd nest shelter), 5 (old rag shelter), 6 (Weakley Hollow fire road), and 7 (broken back run).

The first 4.1 miles to summit are strenuous, with rock scrambling. Take your time and have as many rests as needed. From the summit back to the parking, it is a 5.2-mile-long smooth hike.

                                       

   

Trail to the summit

          It was a sunny hot day (8/10/2021) when we climbed the summit. We brought three bottles of water for each person. It was fun to climb the large rocks, go through narrow tunnels, jump over gaps, and slide down rocks near the cliffs.  Our shirts got wet by sweat and dried by winds. When we finally reached the summit, we  drank almost all of the water we brought. 

         Large clouds started to form in the afternoon,  thunder boomed, and then rained poured down. It felt very refreshing. Water formed hundreds of litter streams on the trail, and we walked and run down the hills in the thunder storms.

        When we finally reached the parking lot after more than seven hours,  we were all soaked from head to toe.