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
25
Herndon & Stream Valley Parks (Rating: C)
Runnymede Park, 195 Herndon Pkwy, Herndon, 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 9 mile hike with 250’ elevation gain starting at Runnymeade Park in Herndon. We will begin on the Sugarland Run and Folly Lick Stream Valley Park trails. After that, we will walk on Herndon Parkway then the ~2 miles on the W&OD Bike Trail through the town of Herndon and return on the Sugarland Run Stream Valley trail. A fair amount of the hike is on paved walkways. We will be in the sun for a good portion of the hike.
We hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph when moving.
There are some small stream crossings on pylons.
High water levels could require postponement of the hike.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Meet at Runnymeade Park in Herndon at 8:30am. GPS Coordinates: 38.972193, -77.369569
https://goo.gl/maps/norbMTUSAbDFMPju7Depending on the direction you come from you may have to make a U-turn to get to the park entrance. Parking is limited, if it is full you will need to proceed a couple of blocks away and park on Leona Lane in a nearby subdivision.
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920(C)
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
AllTrails Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/morning-hike-at-herndon-stream-valley-parks-ebe4bab?u=i&sh=7cs7ov
31 attendees
AT: Manassas Gap Trail-Thompson Wildlife Area (Rating: A)
Tucker's Lane AT Trailhead Parking, 3128 Tuckers Lane, Markham, VA, USMUST DO: 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.
UPDATE: Join us for a hike along the Appalachian Trail (AT). This is a 10.4-mile hike, mostly on the AT), with 2,000 feet of elevation gain. The pace will be moderate (2-2.5 mph average speed) We will take short breaks at intersections and a lunch break. Part of the hike will be in the Thompson State Wildlife Management Area, just outside Linden VA. Right out of the car we ascend a bit over 1,000 vertical feet (moderate, not steep climb) in the first 2 miles. After that, we will enter the Thompson State Wildlife Management Area, which is where the trillium blooms in April. On the return we will stop for a brief lunch.
I recommend that you have micro spikes with you, as the trail could still be icy or packed snow, especially at higher elevations.
Hike Route on AllTrails: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/custom-route-2d03ea0
The pace will be a bit slower than most A-level hikes. We will hike at a pace of 2.0-2.5 mph. You should be experienced in this level of hike.
No dogs are allowed.
19 attendees
Compton Gap to North Mt. Marshall (Rating A)
Centreville Park & Ride, 14700 Lee Hwy, Centreville, VA, USDetails:
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:
Scenic 11.6 mile out & back hike on the AT from Compton Gap to North Marshall Mountain.
Elevation gain around 2,400 feet
We will start at Compton Gap and ascend to Compton Peak, taking a side trail to see the view; then continue on the AT with some ups and downs to a scenic spot on the rocks of North Marshall Mountain for lunch. After lunch, we will return by the same route.Pace: 2.5-3.0 miles per hour; slightly faster on flat terrain
Dogs: Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy If you plan to bring a dog on this hike, please contact me about the dog’s prior hiking experience with NVHC.
Park Entrance Fee: $30 for the day, $0 with NPS Annual or Lifetime Senior Pass
Carpool: 7:20am meet at the Centreville Park and Ride (14700 Lee Hwy, Centreville) so all cars can depart by 7:30; GPS coordinates: 38.83615, -77.45536
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bok372NsfyPh62j19Trailhead: 8:45am Compton Gap Parking Lot, Milepost 10.4 on Skyline Drive, GPS Coordinates: 38.82504,-78.17025
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yb9C8aN6b3bhERaw8Hike begins at 9am.
Suggested carpool fee is $7 per person. The hike leader will NOT be at the carpool location. Carpooling is encouraged as parking is limited.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.
Hike Map:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/compton-gap-to-n-mt-marshall-out-and-back-e35fe5aHike Rating: A
You must be experienced in hikes of comparable distance, pace and elevation gain to participate.Leader: Maryellen Trevisan 202-730-5314
23 attendees
Manassas National Battlefield Park - First Manassas and Portici Loop (Rating: C)
Manassas National Battlefield Park Visitor Center, 6511 Sudley Rd, Manassas, 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.
7.5 miles, about 480 feet elevation gain.
Description:
Join us for a hike along the rolling fields and woods of the scene of the Civil War battle of 1st Manassas that occurred in 1861. The First Battle of Bull’s Run (also known as First Manassas) was the first major land battle of the Civil War. On July 21, 1861, the Union army, commanded by General Irvin McDowell engaged the forces of Confederate general, P.G.T. Beauregard, 25 miles southwest of the Capital. Although the Federal army achieved some early victories in the battle, Confederate reinforcements arrived, breaking the right flank of the Union lines. The Northern troops were routed as they tried to retreat.The battlefield is well maintained with noted significant event information along the way. We will take a side loop to Portici Loop where the Lewis Plantation known as "Portici" saw service as a Confederate headquarters and hospital at the First Battle of Manassas in July 1861 and as the setting of a small cavalry action at the end of the Second Battle of Manassas in August 1862.
Restrooms are available at the Visitors Center where we meet.Please plan on arriving at the Henry Hill Visitor Center by 9:15am so we can get everyone signed in an get ready to hike at 9:30.
Meetup Location:
Manassas National Battlefield Park
6511 Sudley Rd., Manassas, VA
Visitor Center parking lot GPS 38.81338, -77.52171Dogs
Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyManassas National Battlefield Park website:
https://www.nps.gov/mana/index.htmPark Fees: None
The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
Bring:
At least 2 liters of water/hydration, also snack/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots. Some of the hike is in open field areas. There may be one stream crossing which is easily crossed and there may be some muddy areas or watery areas if there has been recent rain.Post hike rehydration is planned.
Any questions please message me here or text/call me at 202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
38 attendees
Past events
4706
