Here is one of the Premiere Vista hikes in our region, Old Rag! If the 2500' vertical climb in 4 miles doesn't get you, the hard rock scramble over billion year old granite will! The views are amazing due to the stand alone nature of Old Rag Mountain....you can see all of Shenandoah National Park, north or south by turning your head and the view to the east is as far as you can see. Normally to the west I see the Blue Ridge and a storm heading my way as I am starting down the back side of the mountain and by the time I get to the bottom, the sun is shining again! That is the essence of Old Rag...great rock scramble, one of the best series of views around, amazing cliffs at the top to enjoy a great lunch and make new friends with, and being fully exposed to the elements....man do you feel alive! So come join us on another one of those must do hikes....you know it.....before you die! Please note this is a strenuous hike, so please be in shape. It is listed as an 8 mile hike, but you will feel like you hiked at least 12 after climbing over all those rocks with all that elevation change (2500', which is a lot as the average hike I do is 1500' to 2000'). The National Park Service will be permanantly closing the upper parking lot in April, so we are doing this hike in March for that reason and to avoid the heat and massive crowds that mob the mountain in the warmer months. Bring a lunch, snacks, plenty of water, dress in layers and have good boots and socks and rain gear too. I always enjoy a leisurely lunch at the top to soak in the well earned view (the picture is where you will be eating lunch at the top and from my March 2009 hike so what you see is what you get), plus most people need to rest a bit after the strenuous hike up.
Trail description is here:
http://www.hikingupwa...

Rain date for this hike is the next day at the same time and location (Sunday March 14) as it is dangerous to do the rock scramble if the rocks are wet. Optional post hike meal/wine tasting/ice cream as always! So let's saddle up for another fabulous hike with adventurous and fun people you will love making memories with!!!
PS Shenandoah National Park does not allow pets on Old Rag