What we’re about
THE CLUB www.nvhc.com
The Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC) offers a range of hikes of various difficulty levels in Virginia, Maryland, DC, and beyond. The club also offers other outdoor events occasionally. NVHC members reflect the rich diversity of the Washington DC Metro area. Annual membership fee is $5. Guests are welcome and enjoy a month’s free participation in the club events. NVHC is a nonprofit organization and donates funds to local parks and trail maintenance organizations from time to time. The selection of the parks and organizations is based on club usage - it is our way of giving back. Monies vary each time - $7,200 were donated in 2023.
Members are required to accept the liability disclaimer by typing “Accept” in the fields presented when they join the club.
DIFFICULTY RATINGS
NVHC hikes are assigned difficulty ratings. A combination of linear distance and elevation gain is used to determine the rating, with 400 feet of elevation gain considered to be equivalent of 1 mile of linear distance. With the “miles” derived from elevation gain added to the linear distance, following are the ratings:
A+= Very Difficult (19 miles or more)
A = Difficult (13 miles or more, but less than 19 miles)
B = Moderately Difficult (10 miles or more, but less than 13 miles)
C = Moderate (7 miles or more, but less than 10 miles)
D = Easy (Less than 7 miles)
For example, a nine-mile hike with 1,000 feet of climbing would be rated B (9 + 2.5 = 11.5).
Elevation loss is not measured in this system. Also, the difficulty rating is separate from the pace of the hike, which is determined by the leader, and is usually specified in the individual hike descriptions.
RSVP ETIQUETTE
Often there are limits on the number of participants on NVHC events, set by our leaders. This creates wait lists on Meetup. If you find yourself in this situation, we request that you keep in mind the interest of the leaders and your fellow hikers, and follow the guidelines below:
- If you RSVP’d “yes” for a hike, change your RSVP to “no” as soon as you decide not to go, so that someone else can go.
- If you RSVP’d “yes” to overlapping events on the same day, decide on one as soon as possible, and change your RSVP to “no” for all others.
- If you are on a wait list and decide not to go, remove yourself from the list.
DOGS ON HIKES
Dogs are welcome on NVHC hikes at the discretion of the hike leader. Several restrictions apply including advance notification to the leader, dogs being well behaved, and their being kept on a six foot leash. See dog policy located at [https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy] for details.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Fraser Preserve - Potomac Heritage Trail (Rating: D)Fraser Preserve, Great Falls, VA
You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.
This is a 6.5 mile hike with 400 feet elevation gain starting in the Fraser Preserve and then following the Potomac Heritage Trail along the Potomac River to a lake where we will take a short break and then head back. Trails may be muddy. We hike at a 2.0-2.5 mph pace when moving.
Some parts of the trail may be overgrown and muddy and/or wet.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Parking at the trailhead is limited to about five cars, one of which must be available for the hike leader.
Please park on a neighborhood side street, Allenwood Lane, on the shoulder of the road with all wheels off the pavement and away from houses as much as possible. Allenwood Lane coordinates: 39.034742, -77.311543
https://goo.gl/maps/yn1986xbBAvxp3vZ9After parking there walk to Springvale Road turn left and keep walking about .2 miles to the trailhead where the leader will be.
Trail head GPS Coordinates: 39.03688, -77.30981 https://goo.gl/maps/abRDQreGvqf8EUja9
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 (C)
Carpool Fee: $0.00
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
AllTrails Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/fraser-preserve-16ba721?u=i&sh=7cs7ov
- South Run to Burke Lake Loop (Rating: C)South Run Field House, Springfield, VA
You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.
Details:
This is 7.5 mile walk mostly in the shade and on partially paved wide trails from South Run Park to and around Burke Lake. There are very few hills on this hike (249 ft elevation gain.) We will walk 2.5 to 3mph when moving with a brief break (restrooms / snack) about 3/4 of the way.No park entrance fee.
Bring:
Adequate water/hydration. Snacks/lunch. You may want to bring insect repellent and sunscreen. Most of the hike is in the forest canopy with a couple of short sections in the open.Dogs are welcome. Dogs are welcome on the hike (see the NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy )
MEET AT THE END OF THE PARKING LOT - NEAR GREEN ROOF BUILDING - see map below.
If there are any impacts to parking at the Fieldhouse due to events, we'll park by the Rec Center and walk down.Please arrive at 9:15 to sign in. We start promptly at 9:30 am
South Run Rec Center has restrooms. There will also be a restroom about 3/4 of the way.Post-hike rehydration TBD
Trail Map:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/burke-lake-via-south-run-district-park?If you have any questions, please message me on Meetup or text me at 202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
- Fireworks at Baltimore Inner Harbor (Rating: D, Fun)Forest Glen metro station, Kiss and Ride lot, Forest Glen, DC
*** New Trial Process - No More Signing In ***
Step 1: Read the Liability Disclaimer: https://www.nvhc.com/signin.pdf
Step 2: When prompted, type
"I Accept", Full name, Contact number, and Emergency contact number
Example: "I accept. Jane Doe, (703)555-5555, (301)666-6666."
This is a trial process and is not available on all hikes.Length: 4 mi. Elevation gain: Minimal. Pace: 2.5 to 3.0 mi/hr.
DESCRIPTION
The plan is to stroll through downtown Baltimore and find a convenient location near Little Italy to watch the fireworks.Optional Dinner/Drink/Snack
From our meeting location in Baltimore, we will walk about a mile to Cross Street Market in the Federal Hill area, where they have several nice options. (Optionally, you can bring your meal with you and enjoy it in the Federal Hill Park.)Fireworks
After the meal we will re-group and walk slowly around the Inner Harbor to the Seven Foot Knoll lighthouse and find a place to sit down - you may want to bring a ground sheet. We will watch the fireworks from this location (they usually start a little after 9 p.m.). After the fireworks we will make our way back to the DC area.Carpools
If you would like to carpool, you are welcome to meet at the Forest Glen Metro Kiss and Ride lot at 5:00. We will find public parking in Baltimore. Suggested carpool fee: $8. You are also welcome to make your own arrangements for travel and just meet us in Baltimore instead - up to you. Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride from the carpool location. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk.Meeting in Baltimore
We will gather at the junction of E. Pratt and Light streets in the corner closest to the Inner Harbor (McKeldin Plaza) at 6:00 p.m. - Stand Up Paddleboarding (Rating: Fun)Boating in DC at Key Bridge Boathouse, Washington, DC
*** New Post COVID Trial Process - No More Signing In ***
Step 1: Read the Liability Disclaimer: https://www.nvhc.com/signin.pdf
Step 2: When prompted, type:
"I Accept", Full name, Contact number, Emergency contact number
Example: "I accept. Jane Doe, (703)555-5555, (301)666-6666."
This is a trial process and is not available on all hikes.LENGTH: N/A. ELEVATION: N/A. PACE: N/A.
** External reservations required - see below **
DESCRIPTION
Join us for a fun "hour on the river" in Georgetown. We will rent paddleboards at the Key Bridge Boathouse on Water Street under the Key Bridge. The outfitter (Key Bridge Boathouse) will provide all gear including the paddleboard, paddles, and life jackets. They have changing rooms. It is expected that you will be able to manage paddling on your own. That said, beginners welcome; we will try to help you. I plan to paddle upriver first (paddling downriver is easy).PARKING
Paid parking is available in nearby garages. Free parking could be available streetside (no parking fees most streetside spaces on Sundays) but requires patience.PLAN
We will meet at the outfitter's at 11:30, rent paddleboards, change, and start paddling at noon. There are lockers to store your items. The boards rent by the hour and we will plan on paddling for an hour. After the event, we will stop at a nearby restaurant for an optional late lunch and a mimosa - bring money ($30?).RESERVING A PADDLEBOARD ("SUP")
Reserve now to make sure. Go to Key Bridge Boathouse - Boating in DC Kayaking, Paddling, Passes, Tours, Classes and select "Reserve".Select "Paddle Rental" and select "SUP at Key Bridge".
Select date (July 6) and time (12 noon) for one hour and complete the reservation. The cost should be around $27.
You will also need to fill out a liability release form; this can be done ahead of time virtually (advised) or at their site.
More details about a week before the event.
DOGS: Not applicable.
CARPOOLS: Not applicable.
