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Hike up Old Rag Mountain

Sunday, September 11, 2005
7:20 AM at carpool location
9:00 AM at trailhead

Trailhead: Shenandoah National Park
Luray, VA 22835
Carpool Location: West Falls Church - VT/UVA Metro Station
Cost: $5.00 per person for park entrance

Hike with us up Old Rag Mountain, reported to be the most spectacular mountain in the northern Virginia Blue Ridge. Unlike most of the mountains in the Blue Ridge, it stands alone as an outlying mountain rather than as part of a continuous chain. The hike's attractions include a challenging rugged scramble over and through boulders on the Ridge Trail, culminating in spectacular views in all directions.

The hike at a glance:

• Length: 7.2 miles
• Time Estimate: 6 hours
• Difficulty: Very Difficult
• Elevation Change: 2380 ft
• Terrain: rough, large boulders, steep

For more information about Old Rag, please visit the following sites:

Washington Post Entertainment Guide
Geology of Old Rag Mountain

Note that this hike is strenuous! Please consider bringing the following items:

• Important: At least one bottle of water (preferably two!) and sturdy hiking shoes
• Snack or lunch food
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and/or hat

Hike and carpool details:

• We are organizing a carpool, which will meet at the West Falls Church - VT/UVA metro station parking lot. We will be in the main parking lot for the metro - not in the overflow lot or in the parking garage. Go to the side of the parking lot that is closest to Haycock Rd. The event organizer has a blue mini-SUV (Toyota RAV4).
• Because this hike is so popular it can get pretty busy on the weekends, and delays are not uncommon as hikers attempt the more challenging rock scrambles. To avoid the crowds, we'll be leaving bright and early from the metro at 7:20 AM.
  
  
• Hikers can either join in the carpool or meet us at 9:00 AM at the trailhead. We will meet at the upper parking lot of Old Rag, at the end of the road, right by the trailhead.
• Directions to trailhead:
  1. Take 66 W, and merge onto Lee Hwy/US-29 S via Exit #43A. (11.5 mi)
  2. Merge onto US-211 W/US-29 BR S toward US-15 BUS/WARRENTON/LURAY. (2.0 mi)
  3. Turn slight right onto US-211/FROST AVE. Continue to follow US-211 W. (26.9 mi)
  4. Turn left onto BERRYVILLE PIKE/US-522. Continue to follow US-522.
  5. Take US 522 to SR 231, which is 0.8 mi south of Sperryville, VA and 12.7 mi north of Madison, VA.
  6. Go south 8.3 mi on SR 231, cross Hughes River, and immediately turn right (west) onto SR 602.
  7. Stay on left side of Hughes River. Route number changes to 601, 707, and then 600. Do not cross Hughes River.
  8. After 3.5 mi from SR 231, just beyond Nethers, VA, a Shanendoah National Park parking area accommodates 200 cars. Park here and walk 0.8 mi to small parking area at end of SR 600.
     
     
• Pets are not permitted on the hike.
• There is a $5.00 entrance fee into the park for each person over 16.

For more information and to RSVP, contact Helen at hike.at.dchoos.dot.org. In your RSVP, please indicate whether you will be participating in the carpool.