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.
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail up, Forest Road down Date Climbed: November 9, 2003
I talked my wife into coming along with me on this trip....had wonderful weather and great views from the summit ridge on. The scramble up the last several hundred feet was memorable and I would recommend this climb to anyone. Note: If you are going on the weekend, it would be wise to get there early to avoid congestion on the summit ridge. Enjoy!
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail(up), Forest Road(down) Date Climbed: October 10, 2003
My firend Michael and I decided to climb this mountain largely thanks to this website. I had not even heard of Old Rag before! It was definitely the best mountain climb I have ever done in Virginia. I can see why so many people like to climb this one. Lots of fun scambles near the top and many fun boulders to try and climb. Round-trip this hike is about 7 miles, 2,200 vertical-foot climb. I recommend climbing this mountain on a weekday, as weekends can be crowded and bottlenecks in certain scrambling sections are likely to occur.
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail Date Climbed: July 17, 2003
This was my second trip to the top of Old Rag and I was able to do it with my 9-year-old son. He did a great job and I was very proud of him. We had great weather with a quiet summit. I hope to go back for a winter climb this year.
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail Date Climbed: September 23, 2002
Had a great day with the mountain essentially to myself early on a Monday morning. I started at 8 and reached the summit by 10. I spent almost an hour alone on top without a soul in site. I was impressed by the amount of scrambling I had to do to get over some of the boulders going up. I took the Weakly Hollow Fire Road down. It added about 1.5 miles to the trip, but was well worth it. About 1/2 a mile from the upper parking lot I encountered a young black bear. We startled each other and he/she ran up a tree about 15-20 feet off the trail. As my heart rate decreased, I got some great digital pics and some video shots after I looked around carefully for momma bear. I'm looking forward to doing the climb again, hopefully deeper into the fall when more colors are coming out in the trees.
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail Date Climbed: May 17, 2002
A freak thunderstorm stopped us right below the summit and forced us to turnaround! Darn!
**Note** For the especially daring, recommend climbing the mountain in the late afternoon, watching the stars come out from the summit and then making your way back down the rock scramble with only headlamps. Scary and dangerous? You bet. Exciting and challenging? Absolutely!
Route Climbed: standard(?) - did the summit via a loop hike Date Climbed: Thanksgiving of '99
At that time (before having moved out west) this was by far the coolest hike we've done!! Hand assists, minor rock scrambles - we were very impressed!!! Fog/drizzle all the way - good for lack of crowds, bad for lack of views.
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.
Coonman - Dec 27, 2003 10:05 pm
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail up, Forest Road down Date Climbed: November 9, 2003I talked my wife into coming along with me on this trip....had wonderful weather and great views from the summit ridge on. The scramble up the last several hundred feet was memorable and I would recommend this climb to anyone. Note: If you are going on the weekend, it would be wise to get there early to avoid congestion on the summit ridge. Enjoy!
climber46 - Nov 10, 2003 9:00 pm
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail(up), Forest Road(down) Date Climbed: October 10, 2003My firend Michael and I decided to climb this mountain largely thanks to this website. I had not even heard of Old Rag before! It was definitely the best mountain climb I have ever done in Virginia. I can see why so many people like to climb this one. Lots of fun scambles near the top and many fun boulders to try and climb. Round-trip this hike is about 7 miles, 2,200 vertical-foot climb. I recommend climbing this mountain on a weekday, as weekends can be crowded and bottlenecks in certain scrambling sections are likely to occur.
shanrickv - Jul 18, 2003 7:52 pm
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail Date Climbed: July 17, 2003This was my second trip to the top of Old Rag and I was able to do it with my 9-year-old son. He did a great job and I was very proud of him. We had great weather with a quiet summit. I hope to go back for a winter climb this year.
shanrickv - Sep 25, 2002 4:53 am
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail Date Climbed: September 23, 2002Had a great day with the mountain essentially to myself early on a Monday morning. I started at 8 and reached the summit by 10. I spent almost an hour alone on top without a soul in site. I was impressed by the amount of scrambling I had to do to get over some of the boulders going up. I took the Weakly Hollow Fire Road down. It added about 1.5 miles to the trip, but was well worth it. About 1/2 a mile from the upper parking lot I encountered a young black bear. We startled each other and he/she ran up a tree about 15-20 feet off the trail. As my heart rate decreased, I got some great digital pics and some video shots after I looked around carefully for momma bear. I'm looking forward to doing the climb again, hopefully deeper into the fall when more colors are coming out in the trees.
mary chiappetta - Sep 16, 2002 12:52 pm
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail Date Climbed: September 7, 2002The views were amazing for someone used to western PA rolling hills. This was a great trail for a beginner - challenging, but possible.
Jerry L - Jun 30, 2002 1:54 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: May, 2001Too many people.
Chipmunk5 - May 30, 2002 9:18 pm
Route Climbed: Ridge Trail Date Climbed: May 17, 2002A freak thunderstorm stopped us right below the summit and forced us to turnaround! Darn!
**Note** For the especially daring, recommend climbing the mountain in the late afternoon, watching the stars come out from the summit and then making your way back down the rock scramble with only headlamps. Scary and dangerous? You bet. Exciting and challenging? Absolutely!
rpc - Mar 21, 2002 2:25 pm
Route Climbed: standard(?) - did the summit via a loop hike Date Climbed: Thanksgiving of '99At that time (before having moved out west) this was by far the coolest hike we've done!! Hand assists, minor rock scrambles - we were very impressed!!! Fog/drizzle all the way - good for lack of crowds, bad for lack of views.