Sunrise on Old Rag and 'Round Robertson (Rating: A+/B)

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This WAS set for the 4th, but rain, and a lot of it had something to say, so we are flexing to the 17th, with a backup date of the 18th, so those that dropped off, hop back on, and talk others into it. Tickets for the 17th are currently sold out, but the drop 400 a week in advance, so I will give you a heads up. I already have them for the 18th. (The good news, if we flex again to the 18th, then Death Ridge Brewery opens at 11am on Sunday for Rehydration). Fingers crossed.

If you have wanted to see the sun rise from the summit of Old Rag, but did not want to brave the rock scramble by flashlight, then this is the hike for you. Carpools will depart from the Gainesville Park & Ride (7267 New Stable Way, Gainesville, VA (by the New Sheets)) at 2:30 am (please be a few minutes early to sort out car pools), or you can meet us at the Berry Hollow Trailhead (38.56792, -78.34773) by 3:45am. We will depart the trailhead promptly at 4am taking fire roads up to the trail that goes backward up the traditional route down from the summit of Old Rag. From the top we will traverse some of the summit moving East to find a better vantage point to take in the sunrise (@ 6:41am), and we will also have breakfast. We will then descend back down the trail we went up, until we get back to the 4-way intersection on the fire roads.

This is where the decisions come in. We had several last year who opted to return to their cars (about 6 miles total, and probably 2400 ft, so a solid B), and they were probably home before the teenagers in the household were even awake.

For the bold, we will turn right down the fire road toward the traditional Old Rag parking area. 2/3 of the way down that fire road we will turn off at either the Robertson Mountain Trail (and go over Robertson) or the Corbin Hollow Trail (and go around Robertson Mountain), and return to the fire road back to the trailhead.

Overall the Corbin Hollow option is a 13 mile loop hike with about 3,200' of elevation gain. (We have never opted for Robertson, so I don't know the totals there). The moon will have set at 2:10am, so I would recommend two (2) headlamps. Because we are going up the back side of Old Rag we are missing most of the rock scrambles (there are a few as we traverse the summit), but you may want hiking poles if that is your practice. Plan for breakfast at the summit, and we may be on the summit for an hour around sunrise so a warm layer or two may be advised (it was pretty windy at the summit last time). Please arrive at least 15 minutes early so we can get everyone parked and formed up to hike. There are no facilities at the trail head.

I generally maintain a 2-2.5 mph pace, but do get waylaid by good photo ops. There are a few stream crossings on the Corbin Hollow Trail, but all should be "rock hops." (if the Corbin Hollow Creek is too high, there is that alternate route, but that involves going over Robertson).

We will have to obtain Day-Use Passes for Old Rag, I reserved 4, and 145 were still available, so I will work with the first few people on the list to secure enough passes for the group (each person can reserve up to 4), and we are starting early so we should be good.

I will make the call by noon on the 3rd, in the case of really bad weather on the 4th but not sure yet on when I could flex to, which will also be dependent upon pass availability.

Dogs are not permitted on Old Rag.

Leader: Dale Johnson

Meet: University Blvd P&R, Gainesville, or Berry Hollow Parking Lot (38.56792, -78.34773), a mile or so past the White Oak Canyon Trailhead. The Berry Hollow Lot is small, and even though we are arriving very early, there were only 6 open slots at 4am when I last did this hike, so car pooling is highly encouraged. Besides, we can keep each other awake at those ungodly hours.

Carpool Fee: $6 + $2 per person for the Summit Pass

Rating: A+/B – See NOTE below

Please NOTE, this is a DIFFICULTY RATING, not a “Fun” rating or a “Scenery” Rating. These are not YELP Stars. The System assigns a point per mile and a point for every 400 feet of altitude gained. 0-7 pts = “D”; 7-10 pts = “C”; 10-13 pts = “B”; 13-19 pts = “A”; over 19 pts = “A+”. This hike is 13 miles & 3,200 ft for a total 21 pts. If you are not up for that the "B" alternative is still a pretty stout go.