How hard is the Old Rag hike?

[Anonymous]

I think it's fine as long as you are prepared for a strenuous hike. The first time I did it I had no idea what I was getting myself into and wasn't in the best shape, so it kind of kicked my butt. But it's a nice hike and subsequent times I was just more mentally prepared, which made a big difference.

[Anonymous]

OP here!! Took me a couple of years but I finally did it!!
Thanks for telling me I could do it . That said, the rock scramble was no joke!!! At one part my husband did have to give me a boost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here!! Took me a couple of years but I finally did it!!
Thanks for telling me I could do it . That said, the rock scramble was no joke!!! At one part my husband did have to give me a boost.

Good for you OP!

[Anonymous]

I think I first hiked it at 5, it was challenging ginf but mostly because I was small! Thinking of taking my kids next spring, my youngest is 5.

[Anonymous]

I did it years ago when I first moved to DC. I’m 5’2” and I’m pretty sure I had to more or less stand on my husband’s shoulders at times to get up the rock scramble. I wrenched my shoulder a bit and was nervous the whole time about how I’d get down if I twisted an ankle or something. I wish I’d know there was a fire road to get out - would have enjoyed the climb more.

I remember thinking dinner was amazing. I hiked it on my 23rd bday and I asked my then boyfriend (now husband) to unwrap my presents for me and just show me what I got because I was so tired!

[Anonymous]

Does anybody know if they sell the national parks annual pass at the old rag ranger station? I assume they sell the Shenandoah pass but I'm wondering about the national pass

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anybody know if they sell the national parks annual pass at the old rag ranger station? I assume they sell the Shenandoah pass but I'm wondering about the national pass

I’m OP and I bought it there in Nov. enjoy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anybody know if they sell the national parks annual pass at the old rag ranger station? I assume they sell the Shenandoah pass but I'm wondering about the national pass

I’m OP and I bought it there in Nov. enjoy.

I've been a few times and never seen a ranger there, so you never know.

I'm 5ft tall and have some trouble in a few spots, but if you're in good shape you'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its a strenuous and very steep. I do it once a year because I live close. However, I wouldn't do it now because of the hot humid weather. I would wait until fall during weekdays. There's always a long line going up top during weekends.

+1

You must arrive BEFORE sunrise, OP, which means around 5am these days.

[Anonymous]

I think that trail is closed for social distancing reasons, so check before you go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that trail is closed for social distancing reasons, so check before you go.

It reopened two weeks ago after being closed since mid-March. A few helpful comments:

- The circuit hike might be 8.8 miles but the parking lot is almost a mile from the trailhead. They were building a new lot a bit closer when we were there in March; it may be open.
- There was a ranger at Whiteoak Canyon a few weekends ago when it reopened.
- If you want to buy an annual pass and there is not a ranger to assist, bring a check or cash so you don't have to leave your credit card number. Fairly sure that is where mine was stolen. Potentially by a NPS employee, as I did receive my annual pass.
- The trail is NOT conducive to social distancing. It is popular, and I suspect many people hike beyond their fitness level and thus take a lot of breaks. This is a problem when you get to the rock scramble as there aren't as many places to duck out of the way safely to let others pass. It is not something likely to bother me (not nearly as much as the people who insist on playing their music on speakers as they "hike"), but if you are sensitive to it, be warned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I first hiked it when I was 3 or 4. If you can't do it easily you're in bad shape. My dad hiked it at 87 a couple of years ago.

If you are serious, you already know this is EXCEPTIONAL. 99.9999999999999999% of 87 year olds could not do this hike and most 3 or 4 year olds would be useless on it (and would need strong parents to carry them).

[Anonymous]

It sucks. I bailed halfway up, went back to the car, rifled in friends' purses for snacks, and found a copy of Twilight. Pretty awesome day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that trail is closed for social distancing reasons, so check before you go.

It reopened two weeks ago after being closed since mid-March. A few helpful comments:

- The circuit hike might be 8.8 miles but the parking lot is almost a mile from the trailhead. They were building a new lot a bit closer when we were there in March; it may be open.
- There was a ranger at Whiteoak Canyon a few weekends ago when it reopened.
- If you want to buy an annual pass and there is not a ranger to assist, bring a check or cash so you don't have to leave your credit card number. Fairly sure that is where mine was stolen. Potentially by a NPS employee, as I did receive my annual pass.
- The trail is NOT conducive to social distancing. It is popular, and I suspect many people hike beyond their fitness level and thus take a lot of breaks. This is a problem when you get to the rock scramble as there aren't as many places to duck out of the way safely to let others pass. It is not something likely to bother me (not nearly as much as the people who insist on playing their music on speakers as they "hike"), but if you are sensitive to it, be warned.

The above info is spot on. It's not a hard hike, but as stated, there are bottlenecks at the boulders. While the boulder section is fun, I recommend hiking up and down the fire road to avoid the crowds and keep your distance safe from others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that trail is closed for social distancing reasons, so check before you go.

It reopened two weeks ago after being closed since mid-March. A few helpful comments:

- The circuit hike might be 8.8 miles but the parking lot is almost a mile from the trailhead. They were building a new lot a bit closer when we were there in March; it may be open.
- There was a ranger at Whiteoak Canyon a few weekends ago when it reopened.
- If you want to buy an annual pass and there is not a ranger to assist, bring a check or cash so you don't have to leave your credit card number. Fairly sure that is where mine was stolen. Potentially by a NPS employee, as I did receive my annual pass.
- The trail is NOT conducive to social distancing. It is popular, and I suspect many people hike beyond their fitness level and thus take a lot of breaks. This is a problem when you get to the rock scramble as there aren't as many places to duck out of the way safely to let others pass. It is not something likely to bother me (not nearly as much as the people who insist on playing their music on speakers as they "hike"), but if you are sensitive to it, be warned.

The above info is spot on. It's not a hard hike, but as stated, there are bottlenecks at the boulders. While the boulder section is fun, I recommend hiking up and down the fire road to avoid the crowds and keep your distance safe from others.

It's not a hard hike, compared to say, Half Dome. But it is a hard hike if you're a novice hiker or aren't in good shape.

Personally, i wouldn't bother just doing the fire road up and back. I find it boring unless i do the rock scramble. (I used to scramble up and scramble back, avoiding the fire road entirely.) I'll wait and go early on a weekday and hope for the best in terms of beating the crowds and limit myself to going up the normal way and down the fire road, like most people do.