How hard is the Old Rag hike?

[Anonymous]

I'm 35, can I do it with my early 40s husband? We are ok in shape, not great. I've run 2 marathons and did the 4 day Inca Trail hike pre-kids but I've fallen off in terms of how much I exercise post kids.

I've seen things online saying it's hard but I don't know if that's because they don't want people really out of shape to do it or if you have to be seriously in shape to do it.

I suppose I don't understand what the rock scramble is so I don't know if I could do it.

Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

You'll be fine.

The first time I did the hike, I was super impressed with myself and was a sweaty mess. I triumphantly ate my protein bar at the summit. Then I looked over and saw two Mennonite women in dresses eating Skittles and a woman wearing a wedding dress. Maybe it wasn't as impressive as I thought

[Anonymous]

It's not that hard. You don't need to be in marathon shape. For the rock scramble, you mostly just have to be moderately agile and a little flexible, and wear good shoes.

[Anonymous]

You can definitely do it, but allow plenty of time before sunset so you can pace yourself. Also take a lot of water, wear good shoes (sneakers work, hiking boots better) and don't do it on a super hot day. And the water. I'm serious about taking lots of water.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You'll be fine.

The first time I did the hike, I was super impressed with myself and was a sweaty mess. I triumphantly ate my protein bar at the summit. Then I looked over and saw two Mennonite women in dresses eating Skittles and a woman wearing a wedding dress. Maybe it wasn't as impressive as I thought

There is a way to get to the top by driving to a midway point. They likely did that

[Anonymous]

It's tough, when compared to other D.C. area "hiking". There are some stretches of long uphill switchbacks that will get your blood pumping, and near the top you'll do some maneuvering (ducking through gaps, hopping from one rock to the next, hoisting yourself up at certain spots, etc). But it's by no means extreme or even super challenging - I've done it with 6 year olds and 60 year olds. It's tiring but not exhausting. Just make sure you start out early enough that you're giving yourself plenty of time, and bring sufficient food / water. Have fun!

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

It is a great hike. Take it slow with lots of water.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

I used to hold the H3 Running Club record for Old Rag. Got dethroned about 10 years ago.

Summited in 46 minutes 18 seconds.

It's fallen twice in the last 3-4 years, down around the 44 minute mark now

[Anonymous]

We did it in mid spring one year - sooooo buggy. Gnats & mosquitos everywhere. Bring a hat & bug spray. DS was prob 7 or 8 at the time, but don't think he'd have been able to do it any younger than that.

[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.

I think a 3 or 4 yr old would have a hard time maneuvering the rock scramble

[Anonymous]

Thanks all! OP here - i will give it a shot this fall!

[Anonymous]

Most hikers go up the Ridge Trail (which includes the rock scramble) and come back down the "backside" which is a combination of the Saddle Trail and Weakly Hollow Fire Road to form a circuit hike. The circuit hike is around 8.8 miles with about 2400 feet of climbing. Its not the toughest or steepest hike in the Park by any means but is a really nice view on a clear day and will give you a workout. (Type in "Old Rag" at www.trailrunproject.com and you'll get the map with elevation and pictures)

Hikers who don't want to do the rock scramble often use the "backside" route to go up and back which is easier but longer. (This is how a 3 or 4 year old would go up if not in a backpack since you need some height to get up the rock scrambles.)

And there is no way to "drive half way up" unless you're park service or EMT.

If you do it - go early on a weekday so you won't have to wait in line at the rock scrambles. In the fall on a gorgeous weekend hundreds of people hike it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 35, can I do it with my early 40s husband? We are ok in shape, not great. I've run 2 marathons and did the 4 day Inca Trail hike pre-kids but I've fallen off in terms of how much I exercise post kids.

I've seen things online saying it's hard but I don't know if that's because they don't want people really out of shape to do it or if you have to be seriously in shape to do it.

I suppose I don't understand what the rock scramble is so I don't know if I could do it.

Thanks!!

Hard I can barely get her off the couch.