Old Rag Mountain
Climbing Sections:
- Appalachian Spring Slab (5)
- Byrd's Nest (2)
- Eagles Gift Slab (4)
- God Crag (16)
- Jabba the Hut (6)
- Land of the Free (1)
- Lower Ridge Trail Slab (aka, Java or Coffee Wall) (2)
- PATC Wall (aka Skyline Wall) (23)
- Summit Boulders (1)
- Summit Wall (9)
- Sunset Walls (30)
- Sunshine Boulders (2)
- The Reflector Oven (34)
- Trailside Boulders (5)
- Upper Hidden Crag (2)
- Wall That Dreams Are Made Of (6)
- Whale's Lip (8)
About Old Rag Mountain:
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Old Rag contains the finest climbing in Virginia.
The only CA/NC/NH/NY-style granite routes in the area - the only granite between the Adirondacks (NY) and Stone Mtn (NC) - and conveniently located within 2 hours of DC. Old Rag has a reputation for long approaches and Cascades-caliber bushwhacking. Given the quality of the rock, it is well worth any effort needed. And truly, the more difficult bushwhacking is only when getting into areas that appeal more to hardmen/women (God Crag, Eagle's Gift, The Wall That Dreams Are Made Of). PATC Wall and Summit Cliff remain easily accessible (not to mention a lot cooler) in the summer. The names of all the crags are as given on Hensley's overview topo from 1991.(virginiapine) |
| Nearest town or city: | Sperryville |
| Directions: | Print out the directions for each crag from this site or get the Horst book (Rock Climbing MD/VA/WV) and "put in your time" in order to navigate to the various crags scattered across the mountain. The skills you acquire finding, climbing, and getting down off the crags will stand you in good stead in the future. Note 1: the road directions are a bit confusing in Horst: there is an error in describing the roads leading to the (preferred) Berry Hollow parking lot. You want to take 231 south, just east of Sperryville, then go right on 643 in the village of Etlan, and then another right onto VA Route 600 (NOT 601). Head up the road for several miles, the last of which, past the Whiteoak Canyon trailhead, is relatively steep uphill, and park at the lot with the gate. Before heading out, be sure to pay the $5 parking fee which is checked regularly. Take the Saddle Trail up for best access to all the crags except the Lower Ridge Trail Slab & Mixed Messages Crag. Note 2: there is NO camping allowed above 2800' - below that is allowed with a backcountry permit issued by the Park Service. No water is available anywhere near the last 1.5 miles of either the Saddle or the Ridge Trails. |
| Latitude, Longitude: | 38.55180, -78.31440 |
| Access Issues: | Please try to stay on established trails as much as possible to avoid the destruction of delicate plant species. Also be sure to adopt a leave no trace ethic while visiting this beautiful place. |
| Camping: | Update |
| When to Climb: | Autumn |
| Quantity of Climbs: | Year |
Topo Images
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