Friday Night Hike and Stargazing – Old Rag

OVERVIEW

Old Rag is supposed to be seeing clear skies Friday night. This will be a pleasant, relaxed night hike to the top of Old Rag where we will stargaze for a bit.

This hike is about 9 miles long with ~2400 ft. elevation gain. Since it will be nighttime, we will take a slower pace and enjoy the serenity of the night.

We will depart from Echols with full tanks of gas at 5:00pm (be early!), arrive at the trailhead around 6:20, and begin the hike. Sunset is around 7:30, so we will be hiking through sunset and into the night. Bring your own headlamp or flashlight. (I would like to hike the safer parts by moonlight, but you will definitely want a light just in case.) We will likely reach the top sometime around 10, stay for an hour or so to stargaze, and head back. I’m aiming to be back in Charlottesville around 03:00am.

Everyone will be waitlisted until I have a driver or two. Drivers get waitlist priority (the club provides reimbursements for gas plus tip).

You bring:
– snack/trail food
– appropriate footwear
– adequate outerwear/layers (it will be around freezing at the top)
– flashlight or headlamp
– at least 2L water
– car (for waitlist priority)