About us
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 was 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
20
4H Center - Compton Peak - Hickerson Hollow (Rating: A)
Centreville Park & Ride, 14700 Lee Hwy, Centreville, VA, USREQUIRED: You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet
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.
The hike is about 11 miles with 2400 feet elevation gain in SNP.
Pace will be about 2.5MPH while moving. We will begin at the 4H Center near Front Royal (park at the top lot after the 4H gate), pick up the Appalachian Trail, go over to Compton Peak, back over to Dickey Ridge Trail and return via Hickerson Hollow Trail. Bring an apple or some carrots in case the horse at the Promised Land comes out to greet us.**You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, elevation gain and speed. ***
Leader: David K 571-488-4449
The hike leader will meet at the trailhead at 8AM.For those wishing to carpool, the suggested carpool location is at the Centerville P&R. The driving time from there to the trailhead is about 1 hour. Please arrive at the Park and Ride a few minutes before 7AM to form carpool so all cars can leave at 7AM.
Suggested carpool fee is $7.
PLEASE NOTE: Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride to the trailhead from the carpool location. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk.
I plan to meet everyone at the trailhead.
Suggested carpool fee is $7.
PLEASE NOTE: Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride to the trailhead from the carpool location. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk.
IMPORTANT!
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain. If I do not already know you, please contact me directly (571-488-4449). I reserve the right to drop anyone I feel may not have the necessary skills!
If I see that you are "double-booked" on another hike on the same day as this hike, I WILL DROP YOU FROM THIS HIKE. This is a courtesy to those waiting patiently on the waitlist.Trailhead: 4-H Center Parking Lot at 8AM
GPS Coordinates: 38.86418073943538, -78.16974356847578 https://goo.gl/maps/oTdG2BfeYMTP1cu16
Park Entry Fee: $0
Rating: B
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Hiking Map: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H_3z72qDAuyoD05_lzrXPnc3v4RNQmO7/view?usp=share_link
6 attendees
Volunteer Work Day - Sweet Run State Park (Rating: Fun)
Dulles Transit Center Park and Ride, XHG8+GGG, dulles, VA, USYou 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.
Sweet Run State Park Virginia features expansive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Sweet Run and Piney Run streams bisect the property. The property includes eleven miles of hiking and 9 miles of equestrian trails along streams, through mature forest, meadows and mountain-side terrains. It is located between Hillsboro, VA, and Harper's Ferry, WV.
They have a need for volunteers to assist in doing maintenance in the park. Some hiking required. The work will involve removing water bars from the Derry Loop that are no longer doing their job and creating tripping hazards for equestrians and hikers. This will involve digging, lifting, and then re-grading the area. Bring a water bottle and work gloves. Sunscreen and bug spray/bug net are also recommended. Wear good cover from the sun and long pants. They will have a water cooler and snacks. This is your chance to do some rewarding work.
We plan to work from 9:00am until noon. After the work you are welcome to bring your lunch to eat at the picnic tables afterwards.
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920
Attendees limited to 15.
No dogs permitted.
Park Entry Fee: None, as volunteers they will pass out hang tags to us at the parking lot.
Rating: Fun
Carpools: Arrive at the Dulles Transit Park and Ride at 7:45am, carpools leave at 8:00am. GPS Coordinates: 38.976317, -77.433659, https://maps.app.goo.gl/5VB71QdWsy9KjGZi8. Go to the end of Pacific Blvd and turn left into the Park and Ride lot.
Suggested carpool fee is $5. **The leader will be at the carpool location.** Driving time to the trailhead from the carpool location ~45 minutes.
If meeting at the Blue Ridge Center, arrive by 8:45am work starts at 9:00am.
GPS Coordinates: 39.2925, -77.7260 https://goo.gl/maps/EerEemX8pKPZe7sD7Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride to the trailhead from the carpool location. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk.
This event will be postponed in the event of bad weather.
12 attendees
Great Falls Park - Virginia (Rating: C)
Great Falls Park, 9200 Old Dominion Dr, McLean, VA, USYou 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 at the low end of a C hike but, at parts, there are rocky areas that require maneuvering around and over. This is ~6 mile hike with ~500' elevation gain on various trails in Great Falls Park Virginia. There is one steep ascent and one steep descent. I hike at an average pace of 2 to 2.5, faster on level.
Route: We'll hike on the following trails -- River Trail to Ridge Trail to Swamp-Ridge Connector Trail to the Swamp Trail to the Old Carriage Road to the Matildaville Trail, to the Carriage Road and back to the RiverTrail. We will pass the overlooks at the end of the hike for those who are interested in stopping.
Leader: Gail Markulin (703) 402-5902 (C)
Rating: C
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Meet: We will meet at 8:45am at the Visitor's Center Parking Lot.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zqihSpcLm3gW6DJg7Park Entry Fee: $20.00 or free with a park pass.
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.
21 attendees
Seneca Regional Park Potomac Heritage Trail (Rating: C)
Seneca Regional Park, 101 Seneca Rd, Great Falls, VA, USYou 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 an enjoyable ~ 7.3 mile hike with ~780 feet of elevation gain.
We'll start by hiking through a full growth hardwood forest of Elm, Ash Trees, and Tulip Poplars, the tallest deciduous tree in North America. We'll then connect to the Potomac Heritage Trail with its wildflowers and massive Sycamore trees. The hike is a loop. Part of the hike will be along the Patowmack Channel created by a series of islands in the river.We'll take our break on a sandy beach.
Thanks to Bob G for the photo.We hike at a pace of 2.3 to 2.5 mph while moving. You must have experience with hikes of this length and elevation gain.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic
Leader: Steve Frith cell 703-629-0174
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
Map for hike:
https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=15.0/-77.3190/39.0474&pubLink=obOQ48o079O4P48KYoJBIMa9&trackId=b81b5829-efdf-4bad-bb66-9e9de4a74efd
30 attendees
Past events
4839
