Camping and Water at old rag

A friend and i are planning to hike in and spend the weekend at the crags around old rag. Wanted to see if anyone had some info on what the water situation was out there. Are there any streams or springs people know about in the vicinity of the crags? Not planning to hike in with 3 days worth of water! Anyone also have an idea on the easiest place to pick up a backcountry camping permit if I'm hiking in from the Berry Hollow parking, driving in from the north.

For sure if you're down by the fire road near the Old Rag Shelter, you can access the large stream there. But that's at least 30 mins below where you're likely to be camping.
Otherwise, once you start up the trail towards Byrd's Nest or above, you're looking at seeps or runoffs that occasionally cross the trail, not really streams or real springs.

For the permit situation, see https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/campbc.htm . Not a bad idea to call the rangers for advice on the water situation, too. They're all friendly folks.

where exactly are you planning to camp?

There's a little kiosk at the Berry Hollow parking lot that should have permits in it.  Just fill one out and keep it with you and by god make sure you do it or the rangers will fine the shit out of you.  Also for what it's worth, I used to lug three days worth of water up there and camp but now if i'm going for an overnight trip I just sleep in my car in the Berry Hollow parking lot and only take the gear I need to climb up with me each day.  Makes it a much more enjoyable experience.  I don't ever go between May and November though, not sure how feasible sleeping in the parking lot would be if it's a busy weekend.

Thanks for the info guys. First time visiting the area for me so maybe my plans are whack but worst case it'll be an adventure! Definitely not trying to get hit with any fines though so the beta there is appreciated. You are all correct that camping above 2800' is not permitted. I've outlined that region in red on the attached image. It looks to me that many of the crags are outside of that zone, so i was planning to just find whatever i could in that area just east of reflector oven, or possibly a ways off the trail near the primary crag (blue dot alone on the left). Going to bring hammocks, so flat ground to camp on isn't an absolute necessity. And maybe i'll just carry gallons of water. I'm young, why not...

Thanks Jake. Just got off the phone with the park and they recommended camping in the saddle near the old rag shelter. Probably more effort than it's really worth with how little it cuts off the hike, but I'm gonna do it anyways and see how it goes. Anyone got any hand-drawn maps for some of these bushwhack "access trails?" Otherwise, in GPS we trust. 

I've slept under Bushwhack Crack at the Wall that Dreams are Made of and at Sunset before, both are definitely (probably?) under 2800' and there's pretty much no way a ranger is finding you at Bushwhack either way, but be warned that there is not a lot of flat ground in the area from which to make a bed. It's a shame the authorities are wise to the cave at the RO now, that was an awesome bivy spot. If you want to you can PM me and I can try to give you directions to some of the crags. It's definitely going to be an adventure.  I'm kinda psyched for you...

Ben, post up a TR after your adventure! Would love to hear how it goes. 

Jake Jones wrote
38.551435, -78.309317 is where you drop down off the main trail into what is referred to as Bushwhack Trail.  Watch your step.  Lots of ankle twisters and parts of it are slick and steep.
38.550135, -78.307355 is about where you want to be to do OMG Dihedral
38.549994, -78.309007 will put you right at the base of Strawberry Fields at Reflector Oven
38.549206, -78.306518 will get you to Bushwhack Crack- which is by far the furthest and most difficult to get to (at least that I've done).  So worth it though.

Not cool man, everyone is supposed to have a miserable, bushwhacking, where-the-hell-am-i experience their first time up there. Those 3 climbs are so good, they must be paid for with sweat, blood, and poison ivy.

Andrew G wrote:

Not cool man, everyone is supposed to have a miserable, bushwhacking, where-the-hell-am-i experience their first time up there. Those 3 climbs are so good, they must be paid for with sweat, blood, and poison ivy.

Don’t forget the stinging nettles!

Thanks again Jake! Y'all are motivating me to buck up and get on these 10c's. If the grades are like the new, mkay. If the grades are like the gunks, at least the gear looks bomber!
I'll be back with a TR next week!

Ben K wrote: If the grades are like the new, mkay. If the grades are like the gunks, at least the gear looks bomber!
I'll be back with a TR next week!

The grades are most certainly more in line with Seneca (haven't been to the Gunks, so can't compare) than the New. Can confirm the gear is bomber though, I tested mine many more times than expected!