October 17, 2011 (Updated April 26, 2023)

Old Rag Mountain Hike – The Encore!

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

15 comments
Hello and happy Monday! This weekend went by way too quickly — don’t they always? Matt and I had a wonderful time in Virginia yesterday spending the day hiking our very favorite spot: Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park!  IMG_0150

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 We think this was our 5th time hiking this mountain — love it! It’s been touted as one of the best hikes on the east coast — with a fun rock scramble and amazing views, what’s not to love? IMG_8738 I miss those Virginia mountains! 🙂 IMG_0130 Ever since Kath and her Matt moved to Charlottesville, I’ve been telling them they just HAD to do this hike. Yesterday was finally the day! IMG_0119 We spent the night at Kath and Matt’s on Saturday night, and on Sunday morning before heading off for the hike we were greeted with some delicious pumpkin pancakes. Pretty sweet B&B, eh? We thought so. 🙂 IMG_3993       Yum. Topped with banana, chia seeds, coconut and sunflower butter! IMG_3994 Plus some coconut chai tea. Mmmm. I love all these fun outdoor photography spots Kath has! I need to get some interesting looking tables, I think… IMG_4001 We pushed off after breakfast and the four of us started hiking a little before noon and finished around 5:30 or so. This is one serious hike — it’s 8.8 (very steep) miles from the parking area to the top of the mountain and back down the other side. Whew! IMG_0120 It was fun to do this hike in fall — all the other times we’ve come have been in summer. We had some pretty fall foliage on our hands! IMG_0123IMG_0125 Around 1 p.m. we were about half way up the mountain and found a nice scenic spot to stop for our picnic lunch. IMG_0131 We had bread, cheese, grapes, oranges, celery, carrots, hummus, apples, and a delicious pumpkin pastry for dessert. YUM! IMG_0135 Lunch with a view. 🙂 IMG_0132   Some relaxing and noshing later, we were back on our way! IMG_0136IMG_0139 IMG_0140 IMG_0122 Coolest picture ever of Matt: IMG_0141 Me and Kath at the top! IMG_0143     IMG_0145   What a fun day — we couldn’t have asked for better weather! We got back to Chapel Hill late last night, exhausted. We’re so sore today! Now it’s time to get back to the grind — exam tomorrow and a quiz and a bunch of assignments due Wednesday. Meh! Have a wonderful Monday, friends!
Breakfast + Brunch
- anne

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15 comments
  • Kath
    I think your post is a little anticlimactic ; )
    Reply
  • Lindsay @ biking before bed
    This is probably my favorite hike ever! I love the rock scramble parts. I have never hiked it in the fall... ooks so pretty with tehfall leaves. And your gourmet hiking lunch looks awesome. Who was the lucky one who had to carry all that food:)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Haha the boys were lucky enough to split the food carrying duties. ;)
      Reply
  • Amanda
    That looks like such a fun (but challenging!) hike and the views at the top are stunning. And that coconut chai tea sounds so good right now. Any idea what brand it is? I'm a sucker for anything coconut/chai.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      I'm actually not sure but I want to ask because I loved it too!
      Reply
  • K
    Have you read Tina Fey's book - Bossypants? She has a chapter about Old Rag Mountain.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      No way really? I'll have to check it out!
      Reply
  • Amy
    You know, I've lived in Charlottesville for over 7 years and have NEVER hiked Old Rag before! I've always been a Humpback Rocks kind of girl when I go hiking, which isn't often. I'll have to get up here sometime though - looks gorgeous! I enjoy that you carried the pumpkin pastry in the plastic container like that. Dessert is important!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Truth! :) And you need to get out there on Old Rag!!
      Reply
  • Jill in Chicago
    Congratulations! Has anyone ever commented about the way your boyf/fiancee holds your neck in pictures? It looks like he's pinching you! I kind of want to start doing this in group pics -- instead of everyone having their arms around each other we'll all touch the back of each other's necks. Tell Matt he's a trendsetter.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Haha no! I'll tell him ;)
      Reply