Go Together Life

📍 Circular Route | 18.3 km | 736m Elevation | 5.5 Hours
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five sweaty, strenuous, and totally satisfying stars

Old Rag wasn’t just a hike. It was the hike that kicked off our Go Together Life adventure.

At the tail end of the pandemic, Mandy had started joining Ally (and another friend, Sarah) on early morning walks around their neighborhood trails. Well, technically, Mandy joined for the company, the exercise, and to make sure they didn’t get lost. Somewhere along those humid, morning rambles, the idea of a big family road trip out West was born. There was just one hitch: the families didn’t really know each other. So, as any logical adventurers would, we planned a test run, a serious hike that would serve as an icebreaker. Cue: Old Rag.

Why Old Rag?

Because it’s an absolute gem.

The trail starts off gently, winding its way through the forest with increasingly steep switchbacks. Eventually, it breaks out of the trees into wide-open panoramic views of Shenandoah. Then the real fun begins: the famous boulder scramble.

Our group’s initial vibe? Mildly awkward. The adults were panting and chatting, taking in the views. The kids? Hiking in almost complete silence. Tween energy at its finest: skeptical, unsure, quiet. Very unsure about each other and the whole idea of a shared family trip. Luckily, the silence wasn’t too noticeable over the sounds of the adults gasping their way uphill.

The Scramble that Saved Us

Things took a turn at the boulder scramble. If you’ve never done it, the scramble is not for the faint of heart. We ducked through narrow crevices (backpacks off!), climbed up and over rocks, lowered ourselves down steep drops, and even had to take a leap of faith across a narrow gap. And something beautiful happened – the kids lit up. With each rock obstacle, they grew more animated. Conversations started. Laughter echoed. The magic of shared adventure kicked in.

At the summit, marked by the iconic Old Rag Mountain sign, we sprawled across flat rocks for lunch and soaked in the spectacular views. By then, the awkwardness was long gone, replaced by connection, smiles, and a shared sense of accomplishment.

The Descent

The way down is longer but much gentler, following the Saddle Trail past two shelters before finishing on the Weakley Hollow Fire Road. Our descent was slower than expected, Adam wasn’t feeling 100%, and our knees weren’t exactly fresh either, but we made it down in good spirits.

On our first Old Rag hike, the loop was 15 km and took 5.5 hours. Since then, the trailhead has been moved, stretching the loop to 18.3 km, though our second attempt only took us 5 hours. Go figure!

Good to Know

• Permit Required: From March 1 through November 30, a day-use permit is required. It’s a popular trail, so book well in advance, especially for weekends and holidays. Old Rag Day-Use FAQ
  
• Don’t Trust Your GPS Blindly: Enter “Old Rag Parking” into your GPS, not just “Old Rag” or you may end up on the wrong side of the mountain.
  
• Choose Your Route Wisely: We love the circular route up the Ridge Trail and down the Saddle Trail. The National Park Service recommends 7–8 hours, so plan accordingly.
  

🧳 Packing List

• 🎒 Daypack
• 💧 Water bottle or hydration pack
• ⛑ First aid kit
• 🧢 Hat & 🕶 Sunglasses
• 🌧 Rain jacket
• 🧥 Warm top/layers
• 🧦 Hiking socks
• 👟 Proper boots/shoes
• 🍫 Snacks and a packed lunch

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Final Thoughts:
Old Rag gave us a lot more than just sore calves and dirty hiking boots. It gave us a shared story, some spectacular photos, and a genuine bond that would carry us through many more adventures. If you’re looking for a hike that challenges your body and bonds your people, this one delivers. Hard.