Clouds, clouds everywhere...My wife and daughter made it to the Top!!! After fighting the humidity all the way we were treated to no views...all we took away was a great feeling of accomplishment and togetherness...It was great to have Cat along as well...I now know why some folks insist that this is really tough and would not recommend for small children...my 16 year old son had to help Mom and Sis both up and down some of the more difficult sections...previous poster summed it all up perfectly, oh "so scrambly"
Used to do this one almost yearly with my scout troop. We once climbed it during a fall rainstorm. It was so miserable that we didn't even stop at the summit, preferring to hightail it to the shelter halfway down. On the way up we passed another troop that was "training" for a backpacking trip by hauling full bags over the summit. Those kids were not happy.
Route Climbed: Old Rag loop Date Climbed: most recently: 8/13/05
First mountain i ever offically climbed, can't remember when though. most recently i climbed on the hottest day of the summer, w/ heat index i don't think it got below 100F, ughh!! Still fun though
rickford - Aug 19, 2005 11:27 am Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2005
Route Climbed: normal approach, climbing routes Date Climbed: numerous times
Old Rag is my favorite climbing destination in the entire state of Virginia. Although crowds will always occupy the summit, you will never wait in line for a route here. Sky-line Crag is my favorite. Gods area is fun too. (To this day, I have yet to find SunsetCrag!)
Route Climbed: Old Rag trailhead loop, White Oaks Canyon parking Date Climbed: Couple times
Have done Old Rag several times out of home in the DC area. Did the trailhead loop a few times then went up from the White Oaks Canyon area and the parking back there (not the Skyline Drive area).
Route Climbed: Main Route Date Climbed: September 2005
I've climbed this mountain six times over the last 6 years (1998-2004). Most recent time was September 25, 2004 with Yan, Tyler, Kyla, and Chad. It's the best hike in Shenandoah park.
Nice hike and great rock climbing. We hit a perfect November day and the trail was busy with a back up at the first rock climb and quite a few people lunching at the summit. Long hike for my 6 year old son Aaron and his friend Andrew. Darryl
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail Date Climbed: October 11, 2004
Beautiful day, great hike. Up the ridge trail and back the fire trail. The morning weather was clear and cool, sweatshirt weather. Warmed up through the rock scramble and then cooled down by breezes at the summit. 3 adults and 3 kids.
Day hike. Lots of people. Need to get there EARLY to avoid (some of) the crowds. Lots of bottle necking where people were having problem negotiate 3rd class terrain.
Route Climbed: Slide/headwall on north face? Date Climbed: Sept 2003 and 2004
I can't believe no one else has posted about going up the slide and headwall?! Its so much fun--forget the regular trail! The bushwacking sucks to get to the slide, but it is awesome--its like a mountaineering testpiece. The slide is not technical, but the headwall has a slew of technical routes. There is also a pinacle we managed to solo up that sticks out before the slide. If you want to hike and have a little mountaineering in virginia, screw the trail and go up the slide and headwall!
Route Climbed: South east route, returned firebreak road Date Climbed: June 16, 2004
Besthike on the Shenandoahs! Not necessarily for the beginner. Bring plenty of water and a camera. Lots of scenic overlooks. Best time of the year to hike would be mid fall.
One of the most fun trails I have ever been on. It's like being a kid again trapped inside a labyrinth. It's a fair bit of work, but you don't even notice.
Route Climbed: 9 mile loop from the Old Rag trailhead Date Climbed: April 10, 2004
Beautiful day, 60 degrees, a few hundred people on the mountain. This mountain is wonderful and fun, with lots of boulders to climb. Great views of Hawksbill and Stony Man.
Route Climbed: Standard 9-mile circuit Date Climbed: June, 1998?
Wow! Despite the crowds, this is a pretty amazing hike. Like caving, but without the cave. Like Mahoosuc Notch (NH/ME) but on top of a mountain. I can see why it is so popular.
A lot more fun than I expected to find in VA. I did this loop several times in fall of 2002, concluding with a winter hike Outstanding autumn color and abundent deer. Very fun, excellent in winter conditions.
TheBootfitter - Jul 26, 2006 11:26 pm Date Climbed: Mar 26, 2002
Excellent Overnight Loop!While it can easily be done as a day trip, my brother and I camped overnight after reaching the top. One of my most favoritest trips. :-)
jaygeekray - Jul 24, 2006 1:50 pm Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2006
We Made It ...Where's the View?Clouds, clouds everywhere...My wife and daughter made it to the Top!!! After fighting the humidity all the way we were treated to no views...all we took away was a great feeling of accomplishment and togetherness...It was great to have Cat along as well...I now know why some folks insist that this is really tough and would not recommend for small children...my 16 year old son had to help Mom and Sis both up and down some of the more difficult sections...previous poster summed it all up perfectly, oh "so scrambly"
Gahugafuga - Jun 20, 2006 7:35 pm
Fun, Weather PermittingUsed to do this one almost yearly with my scout troop. We once climbed it during a fall rainstorm. It was so miserable that we didn't even stop at the summit, preferring to hightail it to the shelter halfway down. On the way up we passed another troop that was "training" for a backpacking trip by hauling full bags over the summit. Those kids were not happy.
pilz8 - Apr 30, 2006 10:37 pm Date Climbed: Apr 29, 2006
standard loop tripI really enjoyed this hike, pretty crowded but you could find some solitude. Perfect weather and clear views.
Scrambling Man - Feb 14, 2006 4:26 am
My Favorite Virginia Peak, Climbed: Fall of 2002An unobstructed view from the top and a fun scramble near the top make this a great hike by Virginia standards.
Lippo - Dec 24, 2005 10:47 am
Date Climbed: Late 1970'sClimbed several times. I don't recall the exact dates.
climbhighnow - Nov 28, 2005 1:11 pm
Route Climbed: Old Rag loop Date Climbed: most recently: 8/13/05First mountain i ever offically climbed, can't remember when though. most recently i climbed on the hottest day of the summer, w/ heat index i don't think it got below 100F, ughh!! Still fun though
rickford - Aug 19, 2005 11:27 am Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2005
Route Climbed: normal approach, climbing routes Date Climbed: numerous timesOld Rag is my favorite climbing destination in the entire state of Virginia. Although crowds will always occupy the summit, you will never wait in line for a route here. Sky-line Crag is my favorite. Gods area is fun too. (To this day, I have yet to find SunsetCrag!)
pingzingr - Jun 14, 2005 12:34 am
Route Climbed: Old Rag trailhead loop, White Oaks Canyon parking Date Climbed: Couple timesHave done Old Rag several times out of home in the DC area. Did the trailhead loop a few times then went up from the White Oaks Canyon area and the parking back there (not the Skyline Drive area).
vanman798 - Apr 28, 2005 4:05 pm Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2004
Route Climbed: Main Route Date Climbed: September 2005I've climbed this mountain six times over the last 6 years (1998-2004). Most recent time was September 25, 2004 with Yan, Tyler, Kyla, and Chad. It's the best hike in Shenandoah park.
Date Signed: April 28, 2005
sskeep - Mar 14, 2005 9:28 pm
Route Climbed: Loop Date Climbed: November 2002Nice hike and great rock climbing. We hit a perfect November day and the trail was busy with a back up at the first rock climb and quite a few people lunching at the summit. Long hike for my 6 year old son Aaron and his friend Andrew. Darryl
rnoranbrock - Oct 12, 2004 8:45 am
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail Date Climbed: October 11, 2004Beautiful day, great hike. Up the ridge trail and back the fire trail. The morning weather was clear and cool, sweatshirt weather. Warmed up through the rock scramble and then cooled down by breezes at the summit. 3 adults and 3 kids.
elementalphotos - Sep 29, 2004 4:29 pm
Date Climbed: April 24, 2004Day hike. Lots of people. Need to get there EARLY to avoid (some of) the crowds. Lots of bottle necking where people were having problem negotiate 3rd class terrain.
avidwanderer - Sep 24, 2004 6:59 am
Route Climbed: Slide/headwall on north face? Date Climbed: Sept 2003 and 2004I can't believe no one else has posted about going up the slide and headwall?! Its so much fun--forget the regular trail! The bushwacking sucks to get to the slide, but it is awesome--its like a mountaineering testpiece. The slide is not technical, but the headwall has a slew of technical routes. There is also a pinacle we managed to solo up that sticks out before the slide. If you want to hike and have a little mountaineering in virginia, screw the trail and go up the slide and headwall!
AGPDclimber - Aug 22, 2004 10:10 pm
Route Climbed: South east route, returned firebreak road Date Climbed: June 16, 2004Besthike on the Shenandoahs! Not necessarily for the beginner. Bring plenty of water and a camera. Lots of scenic overlooks. Best time of the year to hike would be mid fall.
lostman - Jul 7, 2004 2:26 pm
Route Climbed: Loop Trail Date Climbed: May 2002One of the most fun trails I have ever been on. It's like being a kid again trapped inside a labyrinth. It's a fair bit of work, but you don't even notice.
rmuir - Apr 13, 2004 2:14 pm
Route Climbed: Loop Date Climbed: March 4, 2001Nice hike with great views!
hgrapid - Apr 10, 2004 7:47 pm
Route Climbed: 9 mile loop from the Old Rag trailhead Date Climbed: April 10, 2004Beautiful day, 60 degrees, a few hundred people on the mountain. This mountain is wonderful and fun, with lots of boulders to climb. Great views of Hawksbill and Stony Man.
CharlesD - Mar 21, 2004 6:29 pm
Route Climbed: Standard 9-mile circuit Date Climbed: June, 1998?Wow! Despite the crowds, this is a pretty amazing hike. Like caving, but without the cave. Like Mahoosuc Notch (NH/ME) but on top of a mountain. I can see why it is so popular.
crag - Jan 23, 2004 2:51 pm
Route Climbed: loop Date Climbed: Dec 22, 2002A lot more fun than I expected to find in VA. I did this loop several times in fall of 2002, concluding with a winter hike Outstanding autumn color and abundent deer. Very fun, excellent in winter conditions.