Sunrise from Summit of Old Rag with Full Moon Night Hike
- December 29, 2012 · 3:30 AM
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Strenuous Night Hike!
Let's Enjoy the Sunrise from the Peak of Old Rag in Shenandoah National Park!
This Hike is Timed So That We Should be at the Peak of the Mountain to Enjoy the Sunrise! For This Particular Hike, the Moon is Very Near Full to Boot!
This night hiking adventure is strenuous and not for inexperienced hikers. This is normally a pretty strenuous hike but it will be compounded due to the dark for an ultimate challenge.
This adventure begins with an easy hike on a wide trail through dense forest. At these lower levels you are most likely to see wildlife. As the path steepens, the hike becomes a climb through the woods with numerous switchbacks and large boulders. After about 1½ miles the forest gives way to the rock scramble and plenty of wonderful views. From here to the summit you will go over, through, and under boulders on the Ridge Trail. Once at the summit the view is spectacular and panoramic.
You will climb through caves, between fissures, around balancing rocks, and up a natural staircase.
Yep, the hike is at 3:45am--you read right! Our team challenge those of you who can handle this to get your butt up and join him on this hike!
Special Night Hike Gear Requirement: Headlamps!
This is a night hike and headlamps (no flashlights) are REQUIRED for this hike. No flashlights permitted as they are a safety hazard under normal hiking situations, but due to the fact that you will need to use your hands on the rock scramble, it only makes it more important that you have a headlamp, with a change of batteries just in case please.
Hike Pace
Due to a night hike and rock scramble the hike pace will average 2 to 2.5 mph. If you have any questions, please contact Kellie or any of the leaders posted at the bottom of this posting as we are happy to help. No worries as we have experience with this and it is a ton of fun, as long as you are capable and prepared. If you have ever hiked Old Rag before than you will do just fine.
Click here for pictures of a past hike on this trail!
"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 boulders. 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.
Weather Information
This hike is rain, snow or shine. Click Here for the link we use for the forecast as it is specifically for the mountain.
Trail Information
Nearby City: Sperryville
Length: 9.2 total miles
Trail Type: Loop
Skill Level: Strenuous due to some rock scrambling to the summit (no special gear required for the rock scramble) and the fact that most of this hike will be in the dark.
Trailhead Elev: 1200 feet
Elevation Gain: 2200 feet
Elevation at Summit: 3291 feet
Duration: 5-7 hours since this is a night hike and the going is a little slower than during the daylight
Highlights: Mile long rock scramble and vistas
Wildlife: Deer, foxes, black bears, skunks, and bobcats
Carpool Information
There are 2 carpools for this hike!
Baltimore Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the Baltimore metro area, meet at Savage Station. Click here for directions to Savage Station. Use the comment section to discuss carpooling with other members.
DC Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the metro DC area, meetup at the Centerville Park and Ride. Click here for information and directions to the Centerville location. Use the comment section to discuss carpooling with other members.
If you can drive or want to carpool from additional locations, 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!
Directions to the Trailhead
Click Here for Directions to where we meet for this hike.
Special Winter Gear Note:
Traction gear is a must in order to hike in the winter with our group for safety and so we can hike all four seasons! The most dependable/reliable gear in our opinion is either Kahtoola Microspikes or STABILicers Originals(Stabilicer "Originals" and not the "lites" as too many "lites" have snapped while out on the trail) and YakTrax are highly discouraged. Traction gear/ice cleats come in handy for getting the mail or walking the dog, in addition to any other outdoor activity where there is ice involved! You can run on the ice with them on and many runners do just that!
Sunrise Time
Sunrise: 6:50 a.m.
Gear Suggestions
Click here for gear suggestions and recommendations for hiking
Meet and Greet is from 3:30 a.m. - 3:45 a.m.
Hike Step Off Time is 3:45 a.m. Sharp
Note: We Leave On Time As The Hike is Timed So That We Are at The Peak for Sunrise. We Cannot Wait for Anyone Who Might be Running Late and Do Not Have Cell Reception at the Trailhead. Thanks for Understanding.
Carpool time from Savage Station is 1:00 a.m.
Carpool time from Centerville Park and Ride is 2:00 a.m.
Please note that our holiday weekend hikes and special night hikes are not refundable due to too many people backing out of the at the last minute before the refund cut-off and keeping others from being able to go. Sorry, but this is the only way to help make sure that there is a good turnout and our leaders not offer to lead a hike on their holiday in vain...or they will be burned enough that they will no longer offer. Since we have made holiday hikes non-refundable it has boosted attendance rate significantly and often have perfect attendance, yay! Please note that our refund policy is always listed just beneath the price, and you are required to check a box that you agree to it before you can pay, so I put it in three places to avoid any issues. Thanks so much for your understanding and have a great time.
Fido is NOT Welcome on This Hike
Dan: [masked]
Sandy: [masked]
Bill: [masked]
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giuliana
What an awesome hike with the moonlight, snow and ice. No way we could have done it without the spikes..lost my balance on one of the climbs, big bruised on my "cushy tushy" but will do this hike again and again with the proper winter gear and a little push and pull from the guys.
Thanks Dan and Sandy!January 2
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Sandy Balliet
You take a great night hike and add snow and ice and what you get is an interesting hike. We has great hikers this trip everyone helped everyone on the rocks.
3 · December 30
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Dwayne Jackson
This was such a great day. Old Rag is such a classic, and to be able to hike, climb and scramble her snow and ice covered boulders was amazing. Can't say enough how much my Kantoola Microspikes added to the safety, and thus the enjoyment of the day. Thank you to Kellie for terrific organization, Dan for being a great hike leader and my fellow hikers for all the effort and fun companionship. I'm very glad to be associated with the MAHG.
2 · December 29
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irina rickard
Scrambling, climbing over and under the boulders, covered with thick ice in dark made this hike very memorable ! If I did not have the " Kantoola Microspikes" , I probably could not have completed it.The icy slopes with nothing to hold on to made this very intense and dangerous . I am glad that I was part of it, it's one of a kind experience.Thank you guys!
3 · December 29
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Bill Peters
Totally intense!! What everybody is saying is true. People came through and helped each other out. Thanks to Sandra, Dan, and Priyana and others for helping me with some of the rocks. It really meant a ton! This hike was incredible. It was at the edge of what I could do -- not for strength and stamina reasons, but agility, balance and confidence with the ice and rocks. All the partisans on this hike ROCK!
3 · December 29
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Kelvin Chan
Apparently there's a major accident on I495S near Dulles toll road exit, complete traffic standstill (saw it on waze). Just FYI to any folks using 495S.
December 28
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Dan Kokron
I'll be at Savage station at 1:00a and Centerville P&R at 2:00a. I have room for three if anyone wants to carpool.
December 18
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Dwayne Jackson
Sure. Send me an email with your cell. Meet at 1:45. Leave at 2. See you then!
December 28
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Devon Alexander Stoney
Ok I will be driving and leaving at 1245 am.
We will make a stop at Sheetz for coffee and donuts then of to the Trail head. I have hiked Old Rag twice and I am familiar with getting there and the trail. I have room for 3 people total and your gear.I will meet everyone at 1230 and I will promptly leave at 1245. You can catch the Dupont metro Q street exit and then walk down to the Cosi 1647 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC which is on the corner of Connecticut and R street NW.
I would expect a contribution for gas (pay what you can).
Feel free to message me directly for any additional questions. However, I will not be picking people up.
December 16
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A former member
hi, everybody who lives in Mclean? near the giant?, to go together.
December 26
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Henrik Linck Hansen
Mariana, Sid you find anyone to go with yet? I live close to there and would love to ride with you
December 28
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Henrik Linck Hansen
Thank you so much :) btw do you know if we have to wear spikes? Our is head lamp enough. My shoes has a good grip already as they are :-)
December 28
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Kellie Carlisle
Henrik, shoes with good grips are one thing... But what if you encounter ice? Ice cleats slip under the bottom of your shoe or boot and actually allow you to even run on ice. They are very easy to use. Here is a link for the Microcpikes (http://www.kahtoola.c...
), which is the most popular option because they work VERY well, and are easy to carry and can simply roll up and be put in a pocket or in a bag that they sell. There are other options, please see our gear suggestion link http://www.midatlanti... for more info. Considering you will be in the mountains, in the cold, and at dark, you must have a headlamp. Feel free to call me if you have further questions at [masked] as that is what I am here for. Enjoy the hike!December 28
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Dan Kokron
Zen, We will be sitting around at the top waiting for sunrise, so bring something warm.
December 28
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Kellie Carlisle
Sorry Persanna but as posted in the listing, you must have certain winter gear as saftey has to come first.
December 28
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Henrik Linck Hansen
Hi Ross, did you find any to travel with? I'm looking for someone to ride with. I live in Vienna
December 28
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Ross Garner
Henrik unfortunately I didn't. I don't think I'm going to make this hike because I don't have the gear for it.
December 28
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Kellie Carlisle
If you are on the wait list, you will get an e-mail as slots become available. It is a “first come first serve” system for available slots. Slots are open to everyone, whether on the wait list or not. However, being on the wait list will make certain that you are notified when open slots become available as well as letting me know to look for another leader if the trails (and parking) can accommodate it and still comply with our Leave No Trace pledge. Click the following link for how to get off the wait list and RSVP “yes”, http://www.midatlantichiking.co...
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need further assistance as that is what I am here for.December 28
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Henrik Linck Hansen
Anyone leaving or passing thru in Vienna/Arlington/Mclean area?
Could use a lift :)
Will ofc help pay for gas and ect.December 28
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irina rickard
Does anyone have camera to make nice pictures of moon and sunrise ? Phone's camera could not get this in dark :(
December 27
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Steve G.
Not enough space here to get into the finer details of taking photos in low light, but you need to keep the camera still for a long exposure. You'd need a tripod or something similar.
December 28
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Selma Halman
They are " lending" microspikes permanently from $ 20 -$ 60, but not getting them back unless the customer decides to return them with a purchase receipt:) I 'll buy one tomorrow.
December 27
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Kellie Carlisle
For this hike, I highly recommend Kathoola Microspikes (http://www.kahtoola.c...
) OR STABELicers Originals (http://www.32north.co...). Both will work very well. If you do get the Kathoola Microspikes, it is well worth a few dollars to get the bag to keep them in so you can simply roll them up, pop them in the bag and always have them in the car or pack and not get anything snagged on the points. STABELicers do not have any points but take up more space. So it is just a matter of personal preference. For mountainous terrain my personal recommendation is the Microspikes whereas for less rugged hiking, I recommend STABELicers. NOTE: PLEASE avoid any of the brands that use spring on the bottom for traction. as the springs break too easily in Mid-Atlantic terrain with its rocks and roots which simply where through them. Both are available on Amazon.com. Contact me with any questions as that is what I am here for!December 27
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Kellie Carlisle
If you are on the wait list, you will get an e-mail as slots become available. It is a “first come first serve” system for available slots. Slots are open to everyone, whether on the wait list or not. However, being on the wait list will make certain that you are notified when open slots become available as well as letting me know to look for another leader if the trails (and parking) can accommodate it and still comply with our Leave No Trace pledge. Click the following link for how to get off the wait list and RSVP “yes”, http://www.midatlantichiking.co...
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need further assistance as that is what I am here for.December 27
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Fred
I think I will bring a little castle knappogue with me. You know, once we reach the top ;)
December 26
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Dwayne Jackson
Sema, Chrissy, Kelvin et al. We'll plan on leaving the Centreville Park & Ride lot at 2am. I'll be in a gold-colored Toyota Sequoia. If anybody else wants/needs a ride, let me know.
December 23
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Dwayne Jackson
My pleasure, Kimmie. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather! Should be fun!
December 23
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David March
Dang it. Had hoped to do this one with you. But I have my monthly Balto. Bike Party Friday night (and I'm def. not young enough to do both ensuite!) Will have to catch the next one. Merry Christmas all! Dwayne and Selma: I'm signed up for at least two hikes in Jan.: Catlett on Jan. 6 and White Oak, Jan. 19. Hope to see you there. Cheers,
2 · December 17
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Chrissy
Hi all! I would love to carpool for the Centreville metro. Please let me know if you have room for one more.
December 16
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Nana
Hi, guys! I live in Arlington. Is there anyone live or drive around this area can give me a ride? :) many many thanks!! :D
December 16
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Priyanga
Anyone driving from the Rockville/Bethesda/Silver Spring area that I can carpool with?
December 16
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Kelvin Chan
I'm interested in attending, and I'll be driving from the Rockville area so I can pick people up. Let me confirm in a couple of days for the event before I sign up.
November 22
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Dwayne Jackson
I hiked Old Rag yesterday for my 50th birthday, and was thinking that it would be amazing to be on the summit at dawn. I'm very much looking forward to this.
1 · November 22
20 attended
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Devon Alexander Stoney
Certified Hike Leader
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Fred +1
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giuliana
.Pre-Approved for Very Strenuous Hikes!
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Jim S
Pre-Approved for Very Strenuous Hikes!
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irina rickard
Certified Hike Leader
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kimmie
Pre-Approved for Very Strenuous Hikes!
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A former member
Your organizer's refund policy for Sunrise from Summit of Old Rag with Full Moon Night Hike
Refunds are not offered for this Meetup.
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