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 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
Dicky Ridge to Visitor Center (Rating: B)
Dickey Ridge Trailhead, 17065 Skyline Dr, Front Royal, 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.
Join us for a post Christmas hike to work off that Figgy Pudding and cookies. This is an out-n-back hike starting outside the SNP on the Dickey Ridge Tr. We follow Dickey Ridge to the intersection of the Sneed Farm Loop and then return to the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center for lunch. After lunch we retrace out steps back to the cars.
Need to Know Information:
*Hike Starts: 9:30 AM (Please arrive a 9:15 to sign in)
*Distance: 8.8 miles
*Elevation gain: 1,500 feet elevation gain
*Pace: Moderate Pace of 2.0-2.5 mph when moving.
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.
*TRAILHEAD Location: Dickey Ridge Trailhead 38.90631,-78.19672 https://maps.app.goo.gl/AWdNBJkrW9xBiJqo9
*Park Entrance Fee N/A We meet outside the park
*CARPOOLING: For those who are looking to carpool, feel free to use the comment section to organize.
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.
*Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic
Leaders: Becky M. 703-229-9699 and David C. 571-643-3897 and Sadie Mae 🐕
AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/dickey-ridge-to-vc-05c792f25 attendees
Georgetown Walk (Rating: D)
Jelleff Recreation Center, 3265 S St NW, Washington, DC, USWAIVER 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.
HIKE: Join me for a day-after Xmas urban hike through Georgetown. We will walk through the neighborhood streets in Georgetown, along the waterfront, and through the nooks and crannies of smaller streets and alleys. We'll be on sidewalks almost all of the time.
PARKING: We will begin and end at the parking lot of the Jelleff Recreation Center, 3265 S Street, NW, Washington DC. If the parking lot is full, there is parking at the Safeway next door at 1855 Wisconsin Ave, NW. Please note the Recreation Center is under construction and does not have restrooms (Safeway does).
Dress in layers and bring water and snacks. We'll have a restroom/snack break partway through the hike.
DISTANCE: 6.0 miles
ELEVATION GAIN: 400 feet
PACE: Our average moving pace will be between 2.5 and 3.0 miles per hour.
DOGS: Dogs on a leash are welcome in accordance with NVHC pet policy (https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy).26 attendees
Rock Creek Park Northern Loop (Rating: C)
Rock Creek Park Nature Center, 5200 Glover Road NW, Washington, DC, 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.
7 mile loop with a 679 ft. elevation gain that makes the hike the equivalent to a bit over 8.5 miles. (400ft gain = 1 mile)
Description: Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation's capital. This 1,754 acre city park was officially authorized in 1890, making it the third national park. It offers visitors the opportunity to escape the bustle of the city and find a peaceful refuge, recreation, fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals.
This hike starts from the Rock Creek Park Nature Center (Plenty of Free Parking; closed Mon/Tues), crosses Military Road heading north along the Western Ridge Trail, over the Boundary bridge and then south following the creek to the Valley Trail, and then back to the Nature Center.
Pace: pace is about 2 - 2.5 mph while moving.
Bring: adequate water/hydration, also snack/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are rocky areas, tree roots and a stream crossing,
Dogs: Dogs are not welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
Weather: weather in this location is HERE.
Meetup Location: we will meet in the parking lot of the Rock Creek Park Nature Center & Planetarium (Closed Monday and Tuesdays) at 5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington, DC 20015. GPS Coordinates : 38°57'34.1"N 77°03'05.6"W
Maps
Hiking in Rock Creek Park
Rock Creek Park19 attendees
Year-End Get-Together (Rating: D, Fun)
Woodmont Ave & Elm St, Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda, MD, US*** 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/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: 2 mi. Elevation: Negligible. Pace: 2.0 miles per hour
** Not suitable for fast paced hikers **
DESCRIPTION
On this "hike" a leisurely stroll will be followed by dinner and drinks in downtown Bethesda, MD.
We will meet in Bethesda at the junction of Woodmont and Elm streets in front of the restaurant, "The Matchbox" at 6 p.m. We will explore downtown Bethesda on foot for an hour and visit the Capital Crescent and the Bethesda Trolley Trail endpoints. All pavement. Dinner will be at Silver at 7 p.m. Menu includes appetizers, soups, salads, steak, chicken, fish, and plant based selections. Choice of beer, wine, and cocktails. Menu can be found on the restaurant website link below. Approximate cost is between $25 - $35 per head. Everyone pays for their meal,
Silver New American Brasserie - Unforgettable Dining Awaits: Award-Winning Cuisine at Silver Brasserie (Bethesda & DC)
WHERE TO MEET
Two options:
Option #1: WALKING: Meet at the junction of Woodmont and Elm streets (in front of the restaurant "The Matchbox") at 6:00 pm. Coordinates: 38.982300, -77.095969
Option #2: Dinner Only: Meet at the restaurant "Silver" (7150 Woodmont Ave) at 7:00 pm. Coordinates: 38.980832, -77.095067
Garages nearby; streetside is an option. Parking is free on Sundays.
The closest Metro station is Bethesda (Red line).
We will limit attendance to 20. You can bring up to two guests.
DOGS not permitted due to the nature of the event.41 attendees
Past events
4616
