Ryan Pageau-Natural Setting

The weekend before we came back for break I was home in Fairfax and since the weather was decent, I decided to make the trip to Old Rag Mountain in the Shenandoah National Forest. I have hiked Old Rag once before about a year ago and I loved it. The hike is actually a loop about 8-9 miles long that brings you right back to the parking area where the hike begins. I left my house at about 9:3- am on Saturday and arrived to the parking area around 10:45-11:00. I threw on my boots, paid for my parking and started walking. Last time I hiked this trail I had someone with me however this time I was alone, allowing me to move at my own pace. I had my camel back, and some food I made earlier to eat at the top of the mountain. Once I got to the beginning of the trail I didn't hesitate I just got right to it. I only stopped a couple of times throughout the hike, unlike my previous trip where I was frequently stopping to climb on random rocks, and to pick up a little snake. There is a section of the hike that I particularly look forward to during the hike; a section full of caves, steep rock climbs, and amazing views. Once I reached this point, I made sure to take my time and admire the many different viewpoints the hike had to offer. On top of the mountain there are boulders about 3 times the size of houses that you have to leap across to make it to the next one. This is where I ate lunch. Other than the little ants trying to get my food, it was very peaceful up there, as I only saw about 15 other hikers that day as opposed to my last trip where I saw about 30-40 throughout the hike. I sat for about 30 minutes eating and looking out when I decided to pack it in and leave. The hike down is not nearly as fun however. The hike up the mountain is actually trail type walking whereas the hike back down the other side is more of a truck road with just gravel. On the way down you will see various cabins used for shelter, fun, rest and streams that flow on either side of you. Last time I passed these streams I actually sat by them for a while and walked through them; this day I just bypassed them. The hike back down is only about three miles of easy walking so I made it back to the parking lot in no time. Overall, id say the hike was not as good as my first trip to Old Rag Mountain, but was worth the trip and I will definitely be doing it again hopefully sooner than later.