Oct 30-Nov 1 Shenandoah NP Foliage & Old Rag Mountain $269 (2 Nights)
Details
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK
Shenandoah National Park extends along the Blue Ridge Mountains in the U.S. state of Virginia. The Skyline Drive runs its length, and a vast network of trails includes a section of the long-distance Appalachian Trail. Mostly forested, the park features wetlands, waterfalls and rocky peaks like Hawksbill and Old Rag mountains. Shenandoah is home to many bird species, plus deer, squirrels and the elusive black bear. More on https://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm
OLD RAG MOUNTAIN
Old Rag Mountain is a 3,284-foot peak near Sperryville, Virginia. Located within Shenandoah National Park, it is famous for its challenging rock scramble and 360-degree panoramic views, making it the most popular hiking destination in the park. Unlike most heavily forested peaks in the Blue Ridge range, Old Rag stands out for its massive, exposed granite boulders and bare summit. [1, 2, 3]
The most common way to experience the mountain is via the highly demanding Old Rag Mountain Loop on AllTrails. [1]
- Distance: ~9.3 to 9.4 miles total
- Elevation Gain: Around 2,600 feet
- Time Required: 6 to 8 hours depending on pace and crowd bottlenecks.
- The Scramble: Around mile 2.5, you will encounter a mile-long third-class rock scramble. You will need both hands free to climb over boulders, slide down tight granite crevices, and negotiate steep rock faces. [1, 2, 3, 4]
LODGING
We will be staying in a vacation house near Shenandoah National Park, with 5 bedrooms, 8 beds (1 king beds, 5 queen/full beds & 2 sofabeds), 4 baths, 1 dedicated workspace, 1 full kitchen & 2 living rooms. We will max out at 15 people. The house is 11 minutes drive to Shenandoah National Park and 42 minutes to Old Rag Mountain.
Features: Lake access, big backyard, private patio, outdoor furnitures, outdoor dining area, fire pit area, BBQ grill, indoor gas fireplace, lift size games, free WiFi, 4 large TVs, microwave, Keurig and drip coffee machines, hair dryer, washer & dryer.
Essential Provided: Bed sheets, shampoo, conditioner, soap, towels, and toilet paper
DEPARTURE/RETURN SCHEDULE
Depart Date: Oct 30th, 2026 Friday. Please arrive 15 minutes earlier. Van will depart sharply on time with or without you.
Depart 4:00 PM from Queens (NEW): (Northeast Corner of 39th Ave & College Point Blvd) 133-03 39th Ave, Flushing, NY 11354 (Map). Subway lines (Main St-Flushing): 7. (1/2 block from Asian Jewels)
Depart 5:00 PM from NYC: (Starbucks: Southwest Corner of 43rd St and 9th Ave) 593 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036 (Map) Subway lines (Times Sq-42 St): A, C, E, 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S.
Depart 5:15 PM from NJ (NEW): Lincoln Harbor Station, QX6G+H9 Weehawken Township, NJ 07086 (Map) near Lincoln Tunnel. Take Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) (System Map).
Return Date/Time: Depart on Sunday from Shenandoah after lunch around 3:00 PM and expect to arrive at NJ 8:50 PM, NYC at 9:15 PM & Queens at 10:00 PM
TENTATIVE PLAN (Plan may vary depending on weather among other factors)
OCT 30 FRIDAY: TRAVEL & ARRIVAL
**5:00 PM -**Leave Midtown Manhattan (Rest Area Welome to PA I-78 West).
7:30 PM - (Estimate) Dinner on the way to the house (Taco Bell or McDonald's Lemoyne, PA).
11:30 PM - Ideally grocery shopping 1 hour (Food Lion, Falling Waters, WV) before arriving at the house. Need to prepare/bring picnic sandwich/lunch for Sat's hike.
OCT 31 SATURDAY: BIG HIKING DAY
7:00 AM - Breakfast and enter park.
8:00 AM-3:00 PM
Option A (Best Overall)
Old Rag Mountain Loop (one of the best hikes in the East; Bucketlist hike)
VERY IMPORTANT: Everyone needs to book Old Rag Day-Use Ticket for $2 on Oct 1st 2026 (The first day tickets are available to book, which is 30 days in advance) at the link https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm This is in addtion to Park Admission Ticket/Pass which we already have.
- Shenandoah's signature hike
- Scramble section
- Spectacular summit views
- Bring water & pack a lunch
- Distance ~9.5 miles; strenous; 2,604 ft gain; 6-8 hours
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/old-rag-mountain-loop-trail
Option B (If we failed to book Old Rag Day-Use Ticket)
Whiteoak Canyon + Cedar Run Loop
- Waterfalls & Forest scenery
- One of the park's best loops
- Distance ~8.1 miles; hard; 2,303 ft gain
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/white-oak-canyon-and-cedar-run-trail-loop
Skyline Scenic Drive (North Section)
Scenic driving northward along Skyline Drive. Complimentary driving audio guide provided by GuideAlong. Suggested Skyline Drive Stops (if time allows)
- Shenandoah Valley Overlook
- Signal Knob Overlook
- Hogback Overlook.
Afterward:
- Dinner near the house
- Local brewery or early night
SUNDAY: SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS
8:00 AM - Depart for Skyline Drive.
First Stop - Dark Hollow Falls
- 1.8-mile out & back; moderate; 587 ft gain; 1-1.5 hours
- Quick waterfall hike
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/dark-hollow-falls-trail
Second Stop - Upper Hawksbill Trail
- 2.2-mile out & back; moderate; 498 ft gain; 1.5 hours
- Highest point in Shenandoah
- Short hike & fantastic overlook
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/upper-hawksbill-trail
12:30-1:45 PM - Lunch at Pollock Dining Room at Skyland (inside the park) or outside depending on timing, and if we will do the optional Stony Man.
Third Stop - Stony Man (Optional)
- 1.6-mile round trip; moderate; 318 ft gain; ~1 hour
- Easy & excellent views
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/stony-man-via-appalachian-trail?sh=a0tzox
Skyline Scenic Drive (Mid-Section)
Scenic driving northward along Skyline Drive. Complimentary driving audio guide provided by GuideAlong. Suggested Skyline Drive Stops (3 to 5 stops)
- Pinnacles Overlook
- Crescent Rock Overlook (Best Mountain Vista)
- Spitler Knoll Overlook (Best for Photographers)
- Big Meadows area (Best Overall)
- Hazeltop Ridge Overlook
These can be done quickly and provide many of Shenandoah's classic views.
3:00 PM - Leave Shenandoah.
6:00 PM - Optional dinner on the road (Pennsylvania).
9:00-9:30 PM - Arrive back in Midtown.
COST (LODGING & TRANSPORTATION)
Early Birds: $269 per person for first 7 spots or 30 days in advance whichever comes first. Regular: $309 per person afterward. Upgrading from shared queen bed to own single bed is $30 extra.
Cost Included in the Trip: 2 nights shared accommodation (sharing a queen bed) at a big vacation house. Guided hikes. Round trip transportation from NYC area & tolls, daily transportation between the house & activity destinations, park admisstion fee & parking fee if any. $10 tips for the van driver is required & will be collected on the returning trip.
Cost Not Included in the Trip: * Any paid attractions in the Park * Meals, snacks & drinks; * Gratitude for the trip leader/driver
BUY TICKET HERE
https://oct302026shenandoah.eventbrite.com/ Your spot is not confirmed until your payment is received.
REFUND POLICY
* Full refund minus $40 processing fee if cancelled 30 days in advance
* 50% refund if cancelled 15 days in advance
* No refund for cancellation or no show within 15 days; however, spots can be transferred to your friends with $40 processing fee.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
To protect your trip, consider buying travel insurance, around 5% to 7% of total cost, and you can get reimbursed 75% to 100% of the cost for any reason for cancellation or trip interruption. https://www.travelinsured.com/
PICTURES from Previous Trip
https://www.meetup.com/ny-ski-snowboard-club/photos/34940787/
CHECK OUT ALL 2026 TRIPS (More to Come):
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