Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park, VA

Hike Old Rag Mountain Shenandoah National Park, VA

Class 2 8.7 miles 2400 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Apr 28, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Old Rag Mountain GPX Track

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Old Rag is probably the Shenandoah National Park favorite, mostly due to its sections of scrambles and really nice views along the summit slabs. The upper trailhead is closed, causing the hike to increase 1.6 miles round trip on pavement to get to the main trailhead from the larger, now official Old Rag Trailhead. From this trailhead, I followed the road to the true trailhead, where a very well maintained trail heads up to Old Rag Mountain, a few sections of scrambling that are marked well with trail blazes serving as fun obstacles along the way. The views from Old Rag's summit are really nice, and the rock formations and massive boulders had pools of accumulated water on both of my visits to this peak. Overall, it's a pretty unique hike. To complete the loop, I continued north and passed the Old Rag Shelter before landing on a fire road that led east back to the trailhead.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Old Rag Mountain
3268 ft
1355 rise

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Start by walking along the paved road to the upper trailhead from the lower, larger one, since the upper trailhead is closed to vehicles.
Start by walking along the paved road to the upper trailhead from the lower, larger one, since the upper trailhead is closed to vehicles.
Old Rag Mountain trailhead.
Old Rag Mountain trailhead.
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Getting high enough to get some nice views.
Getting high enough to get some nice views.
Some little scrambles begin.
Some little scrambles begin.
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A great view before starting the main scrambles.
A great view before starting the main scrambles.
Looking along the ridgeline full of fun scrambles.
Looking along the ridgeline full of fun scrambles.
Rich on one section of the scramble.
Rich on one section of the scramble.
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Continuing along the ridgeline.
Continuing along the ridgeline.
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Entering a mini cave, part of the trail.
Entering a mini cave, part of the trail.
The cave along the trail.
The cave along the trail.
Approaching the featured section of the Old Rag trail...
Approaching the featured section of the Old Rag trail...
...this crevasse!
...this crevasse!
Looking back down the crevasse.
Looking back down the crevasse.
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Approaching the last scramble.
Approaching the last scramble.
Closer to the summit.
Closer to the summit.
Looking back along the ridgeline.
Looking back along the ridgeline.
Summit up ahead.
Summit up ahead.
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Old Rag Mountain summit.
Old Rag Mountain summit.
Continuing down to complete the loop.
Continuing down to complete the loop.
Byrds Nest day rest area.
Byrds Nest day rest area.
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Approaching the dirt forest road that brings you back to the trailhead.
Approaching the dirt forest road that brings you back to the trailhead.
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Summer 2015: first time I did Old Rag
Summer 2015: first time I did Old Rag
Summer 2015: first time I did Old Rag
Summer 2015: first time I did Old Rag
Summer 2015: first time I did Old Rag
Summer 2015: first time I did Old Rag
Summer 2015: first time I did Old Rag
Summer 2015: first time I did Old Rag
Summer 2015: first time I did Old Rag
Summer 2015: first time I did Old Rag

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!