Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, October 9, 1995                   TAG: 9510090099
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ETLAN                                LENGTH: Medium

PERMITS, DULL LEAVES, CHILL LIMIT HIKERS ON OLD RAG

Fearing that Old Rag Mountain was being loved to death, the National Park Service has begun limiting access to the 3,268-foot summit through a first-come, first-served permit system.

It may be helping, but Saturday's dull, damp morning and the muted colors of this year's fall foliage probably kept away visitors on the traditional first weekend for viewing the changing of the leaves.

``Not too many people,'' said National Park Service ranger Tim Manner as he stood at the foot of the Shenandoah National Park's majestic mountain, directing traffic. ``Maybe it's working.''

Some 100,000 hikers climb the peak each year; in October, usually the busiest month, climbers would trip over each other and were often forced to queue on their way to the summit.

``It's a powerful natural wonder,'' said Cathy Dancing Reed, who lives along the road leading to the trail head. ``People want to come, and that's good. But so many people were coming, it was like Disneyland.''

The crowding was tearing up trails and scaring away wildlife, park workers said. On the narrow road to the mountain, hikers parked their cars helter-skelter, often blocking driveways and irritating residents.

To remedy the situation, park officials set up a temporary parking lot, which can hold about 200 cars, at the base of the mountain and announced that a permit would be required for anyone heading up Old Rag.

At least during October, they intend to turn people around as soon as the parking lot fills - with suggestions on other places they might visit.

That wasn't necessary Saturday - the lot was never more than half full. Several hikers, however, said they arrived early to ensure they would get one of the free permits.

``We're the happy people. We got here early,'' said David Nelson of Metuchen, N.J., as he set off to climb the mountain with some friends about 9:30 a.m.

The National Park Service will study whether limits should become permanent after this month. Local residents want a paved parking lot built away from their houses, as well as limits on the number of visitors.

``It was a joy to see the hikers, but then they became so many,'' said Tom Drumm, who has lived at the foot of the mountain for 25 years. ``We're pleased they've made an effort this month, but this problem needs a permanent solution.''