What weāre 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 monthās free participation in the club events. NVHC is a nonprofit organization and donatesĀ fundsĀ to local parks and trail maintenance organizations from time to time.Ā The selection of the parks and organizations is based on club usage - it is our way of giving back. Monies vary each time -Ā $7,200 was donated in 2023.
Members are required to accept the liability disclaimer by typing āAcceptā 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 āmilesā 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)Ā
B = Moderately Difficult (10 miles or more, but less than 13 miles)Ā
C = Moderate (7 miles or more, but less than 10 miles)Ā
D = Easy (Less than 7 miles)Ā
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 RSVPād āyesā for a hike, change your RSVP to ānoā as soon as you decide not to go, so that someone else can go.
- If you RSVPād āyesā to overlapping events on the same day, decide on one as soon as possible, and change your RSVP to ānoā 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
27
Arlington Cemetery to Columbia Island Loop (Rating: C)
Columbia Island Marina, 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.
7.4 miles with an elevation gain of 210+ feet.
Description: We will begin our hike from the Columbia Island Marina parking lot and proceed along the Mount Vernon Trail offering a splendid view of the Potomac River and well-known Landmarks.
Arriving at the Arlington National Cemetery, we will need to go through security. Once in the cemetery we will visit the JFK Memorial, the Arlington House and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
There is the option of witnessing the changing of the guard at the Tomb which takes place on the half hour.Pace: The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
Bring: adequate water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes and hiking poles if you use them.
Fee: None
Dogs: Dogs are not welcome. NVHC Dog Policy
Weather: weather for this location is HERE.
Where to Meet: We will meet up in the Columbia Island Marina parking lot.
GPS Coordinates: 38.87651,-77.04947
Google Map linkThank you so much for being ready to hike at 8:45 am to allow time to check-in and be ready to leave on time at 9:00 am.
Please note that there are Facilities at Columbia Island Mariana, at Arlington Visitor's Center and at the Arlington House.Arlington National Cemetery Map .
Feel Free to reach out via text with any questions, Dawn K 703 533 9231 If you do text me, thank you for including your name.
28 attendees
Compton Gap to Dickey Hill (Rating: B)
Compton Gap Parking Lot, Parking lot, Huntly, 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 out-n-back hike starting at Compton Gap on Skyline Dr. We follow the Dickey Ridge trail to the top of Dickey Hill to enjoy the views of Page Valley below. After lunch we retrace our steps back to the cars.
Need to Know Information:
*Hike Starts: 9:00 AM (Please arrive a 15 minutes early to sign in)
*Distance: 8.5 miles
*Elevation gain: 1,790 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: Compton Gap on Skyline Dr. ~MM 10.2 38.82382,-78.17052 https://maps.app.goo.gl/UbabyM7LAFRyo1Px5
*Park Entrance Fee $30 per car or Free with National Parks Annual Pass. If the government shutdown is still in effect, the park will not be collecting entrance fees.
*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 š
AllTrails Map:https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-hike-4d7a968-642?u=i&sh=hcbsqg18 attendees
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Walk (Rating: C, Fun)
Location not specified yet*** 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: 6.3 miles ELEVATION: 200 feet PACE: 2.5 miles per hour
ADVANCE RESERVATION REQUIRED - See below.
DESCRIPTION
On this hike we will participate in the annual walk across the iconic Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Stunning views, with about 4.2 miles of the hike being on the bridge. For those with mild acrophobia, the event will provide, I think, an opportunity to try out gradual exposure; they can start away from the edge and as their confidence grows, move towards the edge. The annual walk features thousands of participants.See link below with details on the trip:
LOGISTICS
Cost: It costs about $100 per person plus $20 for parking.
Refund: The event does not provide refunds; we go rain or shine.
Signing Up: Please sign up using the link provided on their site.
Wave Selection: Select Wave D, departing at 7:45 a.m.
Group: Select Northern Virginia Hiking Club. The password is
"NVHC-Bay-Bridge" (without the quotes).
Shuttle Buses: See event details for more info. In order to make the 7:45 departure time we must board the shuttle buses (from any of the lots) at 6:45 a.m. The leader will board from the Annapolis Exchange lot (Orange).
How to Keep Together: Given the multiple parking lots it may not be practical to meet at a lot. Let's try to meet at the starting point just before the 7:45 departure.
Post-Event Celebrations: We will participate in the celebrations, to be held on Kent Island, prior to boarding the shuttle back to the parking lots.
Bibs/Event Packet Pickup: They have a schedule; packets can be picked up at any of the designated places spread throughout the suburban MD area up to a week in advance per schedule. (You can also have them mailed to you for additional cost.)20 attendees
Catoctin National Park / Cunningham Falls State Park (Rating: C / D)
Cat Rock / Chimney Rock Parking Area, 6571-6611 Rocky Ridge Rd, Thurmont, MD, 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.
Hike description
Weāll start at the Peniel Parking Lot off of Route 77 (Foxville Rd) in Thurmont, MD, cross the road and hike up to Chimney Rock and Wolf Rock in Catoctin National Park. Route 77 does not have a good crossing area, so weāll need to take care while crossing, likely walking on the side of the road for 20 feet while watching for cars.The D version of the hike will end at the 3.4 miles point, after we have hiked back down and crossed Route 77 to be back at the parking lot. This version of the hike has 760 feet of elevation gain
The C version of this hike will continue up to Cat Rock in Cunningham Falls State Park, for an additional 2.1 mile and 690 feet of elevation gain (total 5.5 miles and 1450 feet).
There are no bathrooms on this hike.
Weāll hike at an approximate pace of 2.0 mph when moving.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy.
Leader: Ron Krifcher 703-856-7557 (C)
No park entry fee.
Meet
Meet at 8:30 am at the Peniel Parking Lot (Cat Rock Parking) off of Route 77. GPS Coordinates: 39.625981, -77.440861. There is another smaller parking lot on the opposite side of Route 77 which can also be used.Carpools
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 a carpool location. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk. Feel free to arrange a carpool in the comment section below.Alltrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/catoctin-cunningham-falls-chimney-rock-wolf-rock-cat-rock-c29edec?u=i&sh=r3znix
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.
12 attendees
Past events
4543
