![Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC) cover photo](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/b/5/6/clean_522371094.webp)
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- Two Schloss (Rating: A+)University Blvd Park and Ride, Gainesville, VA
Please read fully before sign-in.
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 hike is 14.5 miles’ loop with an elevation gain of approximately 2600 ft., featuring scenic Little and Big Schloss overlook on Great North Mountain trails. Hike starts from the parking lot across FDR92 near purple blazed Little Sluice Mtn trail. Hike ends near Little Stoney Creek parking area at FDR92 intersection. We will do a short shuttle in the morning to avoid walking additional 2.5 miles on the FDR at the end of the hike.
Please refer the GPS coordinates for exact trailhead parking location(s). If you plan to meet at Gainesville Park and Ride, be there NLT 06.20 AM EST to sort out carpool and we leave sharp 6.30 AM EST. Carpool meets across the street opp to new Sheetz gas station at Gainesville P&R.
Safety is paramount for all of us. This hike consists of tackling approx.70 feet rock scramble to reach Little Schloss overlook and also has few small creek crossings. Please plan accordingly.
This hike is suitable for experienced, fit hikers who did similar distance/elevation in past few months. If you have ANY question about your ability to complete this hike, please contact me
Need to know details:
Distance: 14.5 miles (approximately)
Elevation gain: 2600 feet (approximately)
Pace: 2-2.5 Mph (Average)
Terrain: Up/Down; Rock Scramble; Few water crossings
Park entry fee: $0
Carpool Fee: $8Trailhead Parking Lot Coordinates: (Please read fully and carefully)
Little Stoney Creek Parking: 38.93795, -78.64623 (We leave all cars here after dropping everyone near Little Sluice Mtn trail. Distance between two parking lots is 2.5 miles approx.)
Little Sluice Mtn trail parking: 38.90833, -78.64085 (We bring all drivers in two cars from Little Stoney Creek parking area to Little Sluice Mtn trail and leave the cars here for later retrieval after the hike)CARPOOLING: If you are carpooling from Gainesville P&R please make sure you get down at “Little Sluice Mtn trail parking” and send only the driver and the car to “Little Stoney creek parking” area which is about 2.5 miles down the FDR92. After parking all the cars at “Little stoney creek parking” only 2-3 cars can transport all the drivers back to “Little Sluice Mtn Trail parking” from where we start the hike.
Neither the Club nor the hike leader is 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. Suggested carpool fee: $8.00 per rider. Driving time from the Gainesville P&R to the trailhead is about 82 minutes.
Trailhead meetup time: 8.30 a.m. (Little Sluice Mtn trail)
Directions from Gainesville Park and Ride: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UzMpgeSvR9jXbsZY9 (To Little stoney creek parking area). Approximate drive time is 82 minutes one way.Dogs permitted in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Alltrails link: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/trail-planner-map-647bba3--73?u=i&sh=nfauoe
Bring: Adequate water, food/snacks, hat, layers, basic first aid kit, rain gear (depending on weather), hiking poles, hiking shoe, sunscreen, bug spray, water shoe (for water crossing, if any), additional pair of socks and your big happy smile 😊.
Request you to send your full name, contact number and emergency number for sign in.
Quiz: At lunch stop we can have 3 quizzes related to this hike. First correct answer gets the prize 😊
Thanks: To the teams, individuals and volunteers who contributes to keep the trails safe, beautiful and updates the portals to keep the trail data up to date which helps fellow hikers.
Any questions? Message or text me! Looking forward to this awesome hike,
Saran
(848) 248-0555 - C&O Canal Towpath, Olmsted Island, Billy Goat C - (Rating: B)Billy Goat Trail C - North Parking Lot, Potomac, MD
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.
11 miles with 500 feet elevation gain.
There will be an option for a shorter version for those interested.This is a beautiful area along the scenic C&O Canal National Historical Park towpath. This trek will include a hike on Billy Goat C trail with great views of the Potomac River, a few trails in the forest, as well as the roaring waters of Olmsted Island and the Great Falls overlook. Most of the hike is level, with minimal elevation gain.
Description:
We'll start our hike on the C&O Canal towpath traveling north. At Angler's parking area, we'll connect to Berma Road and hook onto a few trails in the Gold Mine loop forest area. We'll hike to the Tavern visitor center for lunch break before we reconnect with the towpath. We will turn south on the towpath and detour to Olmsted Island. We'll then resume on the towpath and connect onto Billy Goat C trail. After finishing Billy Goat C, we're back on the towpath where we will return to the starting point.The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
Bring:
Adequate water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots on Billy Goat C. Also recommend insect repellent and sunscreen. Much of the hike is in shaded areas.
There is one small stream crossing on Billy Goat C which is fairly easy to cross on rocks. Restrooms are available at the Billy Goat C north parking lot where we start.Where to Meet:
We will meet in the Billy Goat C north parking lot in Carderock (rock climbers lot)
Please plan on being there at 8:15am so we can get everyone signed in and start the hike on time at 8:30am.Dogs are welcome.
Dog Policy https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Please note: Dogs are not allowed on the Olmsted Island boardwalk, so you will have to wait while the group completes the Olmsted Island walk.There are no fees.
Map of Hiking Trails at Great Falls, Maryland:
https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/upload/Great-Falls-Hiking-Map.pdfDirections to Billy Goat C North Parking at Carderock:
From I-495, take the exit for Clara Barton Pkwy, continue on the Pkwy until you see the exit for Carderock near the Naval Surface Warfare Center. After exiting at Carderock, you will pass under the towpath. Turn right after going under the towpath and continue all the way down the road until reaching the last parking lot which is Billy Goat C North Parking lot also known as the rock climbing parking lot.
GPS 38.97632, -77.20561Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
- Dickey Ridge - Fox Hollow to Snead Farm Road (Rating : A)Dickey Ridge Trailhead, Front Royal, VA
REQUIRED: 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 hike was rescheduled from June 20, 2024 due to rain. If you were on the attendance list at that hike and end up on the waiting list this weekend, message me directly on the Meetup app and I will keep a spot for you.
This is a moderate hike of approximately 12 miles, out and back with an elevation gain of 2500 feet. Much of the uphill is at the beginning of the hike. These are well-maintained trails with minimal small stream crossings.
We will hike at the rate of about 2.5 mi/hr while moving. We will start from the Dickey Ridge trailhead on the entrance to Skyline drive but outside of the SNP gate (see trailhead coordinates below)--if you drive to the to park entrance, you have gone too far. We will hike then past a switchback, to a 19th century cemetery, to Skyline Drive, Snead's Farm and finally the visitor center, where we will eat lunch and take in the view of the Valley. There are bathroom and water fountains at the Visitors Center to refresh and restock your water supply. We'll hopefully get done in time to get other meaningful things done on the rest of our Saturday afternoon. Because we will not cross the park gates, there will be no park entrance fee.
The hike will start promptly at 8:30 AM after introductions and a brief chat about the hike. Please arrive 15 minutes in advance so you can get all your gear sorted out and we can get hiking as close as possible to 8:30 am. Please bring 2 liters of water, snacks/lunch, and respect the need for water. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear hiking shoes or other rugged footwear. The hike will be weather dependent – no rain.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk. Note that there are bathrooms at the Visitors Center.
Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 38.90629609294134, -78.19656675991669 https://goo.gl/maps/qbtDXnK592QxvEf99
AllTrails map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/trail-planner-map-1597d21-40?ref=share-sms&sh=nfauoe
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain. This hike is suitable for experienced, fit hikers who have done similar ones in past few months, and I reserve the right to turn away hikers who may not be fit. If you have ANY question about your ability to complete this hike, please contact me.
Leader: Scott H (703-431-3010)
- Signal Knob (Rating: A)Centreville Park & Ride Lot, Centreville, 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.
We will be hiking from the trailhead up the Massanutten Trail to Signal Knob. We will then continue along the Massanutten Trail to the Tuscorora Trail, which returns us to the trailhead. We’ll be stopping for lunch somewhere along the Tuscarora Trail. Total distance is 10 miles, with 2700 feet of elevation gain. Please message me if you are uncertain about your ability to handle this.
You can find a map of the trails around Signal Knob at https://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/SignalKnob and https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/signal-knob-loop-trail. If you have trouble with the link, contact me and I’ll send you a copy by text or e-mail.
The current forecast is for weather to be somewhat more mild than in past weeks, but it’ll still be hot. Please bring *at least* two liters of water and snacks sufficient to maintain your energy throughout the day.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy: htpps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy.
If you wish to carpool, we’ll meet at the Centreville Park & Ride at 7:15 for sign-in and a departure no later than 7:30. (Carpool fee $3.) If you wish to meet at the trailhead, please arrive by 8:45. The coordinates for the trailhead are: 38.93469564641225, -78.32000800189698.
If you have any questions, you can message me through Meetup, or call or text at 703-994-9098.