Old Rag Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Rag Mountain |
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Old Rag Mountain
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,284 ft (1,001 m) |
| Prominence | 1,355 ft (413 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Madison County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Parent range | Blue Ridge Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Old Rag Mountain |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Precambrian |
| Mountain type | Granite |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Old Rag Mountain is a tall mountain in Virginia, standing at 3,284 feet (1,001 m). It's located in Madison County, close to Sperryville. This mountain is part of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
You can find Old Rag inside Shenandoah National Park. It's super popular for hiking, making it a favorite spot for many visitors. Unlike most mountains in the Blue Ridge, Old Rag has a summit that's mostly bare rock, not covered in trees.
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What is Old Rag Mountain Made Of?
Old Rag Mountain is mostly made of a type of rock called Old Rag Granite. This granite formed about a billion years ago! Imagine, that's even before dinosaurs existed.
Later, about 400 million years after the granite formed, a layer of greenstone covered it. This happened when hot, melted rock (magma) flowed out and cooled. Over time, layers of sand and other rocks also settled on top, forming quartzite and sandstone.
Millions of years later, the land moved and pushed the Old Rag Granite upwards. This movement helped create Old Rag Mountain and the rest of the Blue Ridge Mountains we see today.
Fun Things to Do at Old Rag
Old Rag Mountain is a fantastic place for outdoor adventures. Many people visit to hike, climb rocks, or try bouldering.
Hiking Trails
There are several ways to hike to the top of Old Rag. The most common way starts from a parking area in Nethers, Virginia. From there, you can choose a few different paths.
One popular hike is a 9-mile (14.5 km) loop. It uses the Ridge Trail to go up the mountain. This part of the trail includes a "rock scramble," where you have to climb over and around large rocks. It can be a bit tricky, but it's a lot of fun!
After the rock scramble, you reach the summit. From there, the Saddle Trail leads you back down. This trail passes by shelters where hikers can rest. Finally, the Weakley Hollow Fire Road takes you back to the parking area.
Since 2022, you need a special day-use ticket to hike Old Rag between March 1 and November 30. This helps protect the mountain and makes sure the trails don't get too crowded. You'll need this ticket in addition to the regular Shenandoah National Park entrance fee.
Rock Climbing Adventures
Old Rag is a special place for rock climbing on the East Coast. Because it has large, exposed granite rocks, it feels a bit like climbing in famous places like Yosemite. Climbers can find different types of routes here, from easy ones for beginners to challenging ones for experts.
The climbs are usually between 50 and 100 feet (15 and 30 m) long. You'll see cool features like cracks and slabs of rock that are perfect for climbing.
Bouldering Fun
Bouldering is like rock climbing, but you don't use ropes. Instead, you climb on smaller rocks or parts of larger rocks that are closer to the ground. Old Rag Mountain has many exposed rock surfaces, so you can find fun bouldering challenges all along the trails. It's a great way to test your climbing skills!
