Strenuous - Old Rag with Optional Post Hike Meal

Strenuous-Let's Hike and Scramble Old Rag in Shenandoah National Park with an Optional Post Hike Meal We break down into smaller groups of 10-13 for this hike, based on pace and ability, per request of the parks rangers. We practice good outdoor ethics in order to help save our trails! PLEASE never hike this mountain in a large group!!! Due to erosion of this mountain, we DO NOT HIKE Old Rag during the summer and other peak seasons since it is overhiked at that time by other groups/tourists, and there can be over a one hour line at the summit for getting over the boulder. So, we hike her only October - December, and February - April. This means no snakes, no poison ivy, and no tourists! Also, hiking her only during these months, we will have a lack of crowds, crisp clear view, and help preserve our precious mountain. Even in late winter, the south facing granite slabs below the summit area of the mountain have been known to bask in brilliant warm sun. Hiking Old Rag requires some rock scrambling. What is rock scrambling you might ask? Anytime you have to use your hands to get over large boulders or rocks we call it rock scrambling. No special gear is necessary. Description of the Hike "The rocks of Old Rag are among Shenandoah National Park's oldest. Billions of years ago, the granite that forms the crest of Old Rag was thousands of feet underground. With time, the rocks uplifted to the point where they now perch atop this 3,268--foot mountain. At the same time, the igneous rock that once surrounded today's boulders eroded and exposed them. Seeing these rocks, shrouded in all the various weather conditions is one of the reward of hiking to the summit of Old Rag. Another reward includes completing a quick self-taught course in "rock scrambling 101" as you scramble over and under builders. Because of Old Rag's popularity, the Park Service has implemented a management plan which our group will strictly follow. They have a serious erosion problem on this mountain, partly due to overhiking by large groups, so we are hiking it at the recommended times of year (October - December, and February - April) and with the size limit per the park headquarters request. Click here for pictures of a past hike on this trail! Trail Information Strenuous-Not for Inexperienced Hikers Nearby City:Sperryville Length: 7.2 total miles Trail Description: The first 2/3 of the hike is on a trail through the trees, while the upper part is open and rocky with rock scrambling up to the summit Duration: 5 hours Trail Type: Loop Skill Level: Strenuous due to some rock scrambling to the summit (no special gear required for the rock scramble) Trailhead Elev: 1200 feet Top Elev: 3100 feet Weather Information We hike this shine only, since it has a rock scramble at the summit -wet conditions will call for postponement including a full refund. Click here to see an up trail forecast A E-MAIL WILL BE SENT OUT BY 3pm THE NIGHT PRIOR TO THIS HIKE SO PLEASE CHECK YOUR E-MAIL IN CASE OF CANCELLATION DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER. Gear Information Here are some suggestions for what to wear and what not to wear for our hikes. Carpool Information The hike leader will be carpooling from Dorsey Station, so feel free to come carpool or caravan.Click here for directions to Dorsey Station If you can drive or want to carpool from an additional location, please post your location in the comment section below. For those who need a ride, reach out to the drivers. Make friends, and support the environment - by just offering a ride! Hike is at 10:30AM Carpool meetup time is 8:00AM Directions to the Trailhead Click here for directions to the trailhead. Take note that other groups and individuals start Old Rag hikes from different spots, so even if you are familiar with her, please take note of where we are meeting! Optional Post Hike Meal To Be Determined by Group Consensus Please remember we are a social hiking group that values fellowship and camaraderie and practice good hike etiquette. We take breaks as necessary and have at least one guide in the front in addition to a "sweeper" in the back and guides/sweepers are equipped two way waterproof radios with GPS navigator and NOAA weather in addition to polling for optimum safety on the trail, which means that no hiker is left behind. We are very supportive, encouraging, and focus on safety while getting or staying fit on the trail and practicing leaving no trace Fido is NOT Welcome on this Hike per park regulations Mike Harris - (Hike Leader) 405.714.3162