Old Rag— tips/what to expect?

[Anonymous]

My teen son has been asking for a while to hike Old Rag. We got tickets for a weekday with no school later this month. We are going with friends.

I am a middle-aged woman who regularly hikes/walks, but not 8-9 miles at a time. We’ve done Billy Goat A a bunch, and hiked in the Rocky Mountains (though more like 6 miles).

I feel like this hike might take me 8 hours (with pausing for lunch)? Does that sound realistic?

Any tips or non-obvious things to bring with us?

[Anonymous]

Full disclosure - I did it before Covid things could be different but there were SO MANY HIKERS. Granted it was a pretty spring day but it was on a weekday so I was a little surprised.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Full disclosure - I did it before Covid things could be different but there were SO MANY HIKERS. Granted it was a pretty spring day but it was on a weekday so I was a little surprised.

Thanks! So far, there are still hundreds of tickets left for the day we’re going, so fingers crossed it won’t be too bad. But maybe most people wait until just before to reserve tickets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Full disclosure - I did it before Covid things could be different but there were SO MANY HIKERS. Granted it was a pretty spring day but it was on a weekday so I was a little surprised.

As long as you have done it before, you will be fine. I couldn't handle it and had to turn around and come back down. I hike in SNP pretty regularly, but I got scared at some point with Old Rag and had to go down.

With the ticket system you might see less hikers than you did before, even though it was a weekday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Full disclosure - I did it before Covid things could be different but there were SO MANY HIKERS. Granted it was a pretty spring day but it was on a weekday so I was a little surprised.

As long as you have done it before, you will be fine. I couldn't handle it and had to turn around and come back down. I hike in SNP pretty regularly, but I got scared at some point with Old Rag and had to go down.

With the ticket system you might see less hikers than you did before, even though it was a weekday.

Oh, gosh ... I'm out of it today. For some reason I thought you were OP clarifying things. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, OP. I keep replying to the wrong posts.

At any rate, like I said above, I hike pretty regularly and had to turn around and go back down on Old Rag. There were some drop offs that were steep enough that they caused me anxiety. I have no doubt the rock scramble would have gotten me eventually anyway. It's a far more difficult hike than I realized.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I’ve known people in similar shape who have done it but they generally say they wouldn’t do it again.

So I guess be prepared that it is difficult (esp the rock scramble) and be willing to turn back

[Anonymous]

OP I hiked Old Rag with friends last fall. I am not a hiker at ALL but I'm a regular exerciser and don't have any fear of heights. It was totally fine and I was not at all overwhelmed as a non-hiker.

A couple of my friends wore gloves - they looked like weight lifting gloves, maybe? I'm not up on the hiking gear lingo
They thought they came in handy for the rock scrambling, but I was totally fine without them. One thing I was glad I had was hiking shoes! I bought them just for Old Rag and I'm really glad I wasn't wearing my regular running shoes.

[Anonymous]

Wear good hiking shoes.

It will take 8 hours with lunch - start early.

The initial 1/4 of the hike is a steep climb, the next 1/4 is more technical with scrambles and some tight squeezes, and the last 1/2 is a slow descent through the woods. The scramble is fine, but there is one particular spot between the climb and the scramble where you have to transverse a granite slab and there is a very sharp, couple thousand foot drop. I’ve never heard of anyone falling, but it is scary. I grit my teeth through it many times when I was younger, but every time I think about taking my kids to OR (great hikers who have hiked all over the place), I don’t. I just know I would be way too anxious and it wouldn’t be worth it.

Be aware of bears. I have seen bears every time I have hiked OR, mostly on the stretch between the parking lot and the actual trail head. No issues. Just take precautions.

Because it is a LONG day, be sure to bring layers and lots of food and water.

[Anonymous]

I hiked it a few times between 11-15 (so many many years ago) and was super out of shape and did fine. It’s a steepish, long hike, and there are some fun rock scrambles at the top, but if you go slow it’s fine.
If it’s wet/muddy you may want to rethink. I went when it was icy once, and it was probably not a great call (but we were like 20, and stupid).
Early spring will be a great time to go for views and hopefully weather. Have fun!

[Anonymous]

I can’t imagine it’s that tough. My fourth grader hiked it in the fall with his whole class for a special class trip.

[Anonymous]

I’m 5’5 and in decent shape abs my husband had to boost me in a couple of spots.

[Anonymous]

Other than the rock scramble at the top, most of the hike is either swtichbacks through the woods, or the long horse trail at the end. Lunch at the top is a great reward!

[Anonymous]

I’ve done Old Rag several times in the last year. I always go on a weekday and try to arrive at the trailhead by around 8:00. Each time I’ve seen just a few people. It is 2.7 miles / 1700 ft of gain to the rock scramble section. The rock scramble section is about one mile. The rest is downhill and easy with several miles on a fire road. It is definitely more challenging than the Billy Goat but I’m sure your son can give you a boost through the scramble if needed. (I’m only 5’1” with average upper body strength and I can do it without help.). Eight hours should be way more than enough time - especially going on a weekday when there won’t be lines of people waiting to get through the various sections of the scramble). I agree with the PP above to wear hiking shoes (or trails runners). Enjoy! It is a fantastic hike!

[Anonymous]

OP, you sound fairly active. You should have no problems hiking Old Rag. It’s a great hike! I don’t think it will take you 8 hours, but once you get to the top, take your time and enjoy the views. Your son will love the top ridge- lots of fun rock scrambles.