Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC)

4.9•27166 ratings

Mc Lean, VA, US

2,444 members · Public group

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

See all

9 seats left
Fri, Nov 21 · 7:00 AM EST
Halfmoon Lookout (Rating: A)
Centreville Park and Ride, 14700 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA, US
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 is a 9.5 mile hike with 1900 feet of elevation gain in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests near Wardensville, WV. We will do an out and back hike using the Bucktail Cutoff, Halfmoon, and Hallfmoon Lookout trails. We will have lunch at Halfmoon Lookout where we will have beautiful views of Trout Run Valley, Tibet Knob and Big Schloss. We hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph when moving.

Leaders: Jennifer Hine 571-236-2668 and Caroline Steinberg 703-489-1315

Rating: A

Park Entry Fee: $0

Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy

Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 7:00am. Suggested carpool fee is $8. The leaders will be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18

Driving time to trailhead: One hour 30 minutes.

Meet at the trailhead at 8:45 am. When getting near the final turn look for the “Bucktail Trail” sign and turn left onto dirt road. Follow the dirt road, bearing to the right, about .1 miles and park on the side of the road near the gate.

GPS Coordinates: 39.013528, -78.664516
https://goo.gl/maps/MA7zM654zzYeRown9

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.

AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/custom-route-ed95c61?u=i&sh=z7o4im

****You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain. We hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph when moving. ****

PLEASE WEAR SOMETHING ORANGE - it is hunting season in George Washington National Forest. We may meet hunters on the trails, so best to be prepared!

Bring: The usual: hiking boots/shoes, layers of warm, wicking clothing, raingear, at least 2 liters of fluids, snacks and or lunch and your personal first aid kit. Poles recommended. Microspikes might be needed - we will watch the forecast for icy conditions.
11 attendees
Fri, Nov 21 · 7:15 AM EST
Big Devil's Stairs (Rating: A)
Centreville Park & Ride Lot, 14700 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA, US
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 is a 10 mile hike from the boundary of SNP to a spectacular gorge. It has an elevation gain of about 2200 feet. This hike is rated an A. We start at a small parking area along Rt 625 at the Mount Marshall Trailhead. We go up the Mount Marshall Road (trail). We then make a left on the Bluff Trail. Then we descend to the overlook on the Big Devil's Stairs Trail where we will eat lunch. After lunch, we will retrace our steps back to the cars.

Leader: Maryellen Trevisan 202-730-5314 (C)

Rating: A

Pace: 2.5 to 3.3mph

Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 7:15am to depart by 7:30am. Suggested carpool fee is $6. The leader will be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371
https://goo.gl/maps/UhxfSAbcao4mCWC96

Meet at the Mount Marshall Trailhead at 8:45am. GPS Coordinates: 38.7478506,-78.1940236
https://goo.gl/maps/VvgSpAddeyUPJXCy9

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.

Park Entry Fee: $0.

Map for hike: Big Devil's Stairs on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/big-devil-s-stairs-25af936?u=i&sh=rr7xq6

Driving time to trail head: 1 hour 15 minutes

You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain.
22 attendees
Fri, Nov 21 · 9:00 AM EST
Bike Lane Brewery Reston to Colvin Run Mill (Rating: B)
The Bike Lane (new shop location), 11150 Sunset Hills Rd, Reston, va, US
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 is an enjoyable hike with wooded trails and a brewery/cafe at the end. The hike is about 9.2-miles with 450 feet of elevation. We'll start at the Bike Lane Bicycle Shop and Brewery and hike through Lake Fairfax Park and the Colvin Run trail. The route will be a "lollipop" with a loop in Lake Fairfax and an "out and back" along Colvin Run to the Mill where we'll take our break.
Colvin Run Mill is in Great Falls, Virginia. Built c. 1811, Colvin Run Mill is the sole surviving operational 19th-century water-powered mill in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and its restored mechanism is a nationally significant example of automated technologies pioneered in milling and later adopted across American industry. (Wikipedia)

You must be experienced with hikes of this length and elevation gain. We hike at a pace of approximately 2.5 mph while moving.

Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic

Leaders: Steve Frith cell 703-629-0174

Park Entry Fee: $0.00

Map for hike:
https://www.gaiagps.com/public/kalxDAAu7vp12fnDBX2UPup9
14 attendees
Sat, Nov 22 · 6:30 AM EST
Crusher Ridge, Stoney Man (Rating A+)
Centreville Park and Ride, 14700 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA, US
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 is an A+ hike due to distance and elevation and is ONLY suitable for those who have recent experience hiking this distance and elevation gain. Participation will be screened. If you have NEVER been on one of my A+ hikes and/or I don't know you, you MUST message me within 24 hours of signing up with a recent A+ hike you have done or a hike leader who can vouch for you. Otherwise, you will be moved to “Not Going”. ****

Join me on this strenuous hike of about about 11.5 miles and about 3,000 feet of elevation gain that will likely be a new hike for most of you. Be warned that pretty much all of the elevation gain is at the end.

We will start from the Stoney Man parking lot and get on the AT to the Stoney Man Trail, which will take us to the Stoney Man Overlook. We'll hang out there for a few minutes and then get back on the AT and head to the Crusher Ridge Trail. From there, we'll take the long (and lovely) descent to the bottom, where we'll reach a gate. That is the point where we'll decide if we want to add another 1/2 mile (see note below with map). We'll have lunch (before our big climb so eat wisely) and head back up, retracing our steps until we get to the Passamaquoddy Trail to the Furnace Spring Trail back to the cars.

Need to know details:

For those wishing to carpool, the suggested carpool location is at the Centreville Park and Ride, 14700 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA. The driving time from there to the trailhead is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes with no stop. Please arrive at the Park and Ride a few minutes before 6:30 AM to form carpools so all cars can leave by 6:35 AM sharp. I WILL BE MEETING EVERYONE AT THE TRAILHEAD. Carpool Fee: $8.00

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 participation is at your own risk.

************* THE GOOD STUFF **************************
- Trailhead meetup time: parking lot 8:15 A.M.
- Parking Coordinates: 38.59323,-78.37596
- Hike starts: 8:30 A.M. SHARP
- Park entry fee: $30.00, free with National Park Pass
- Pace: 2.25-2.75 mph when moving
- Terrain: Rocky in part, Steep in parts, Smooth and gentle in other parts.
- Bring: Adequate water, food/snacks, hat, layers, basic first aid kit, map, hiking poles, hiking shoes, rain gear
- Pets: Not allowed
PLEASE PRINT OUT ANY MAPS THAT YOU MAY NEED AS I DO NOT PROVIDE COPIES OF MAPS. ALL THE LINKS AND COORDINATES YOU WILL NEED ARE PROVIDED BELOW.

All Trails MAP: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-hike-a191476
Please note, I started my tracking for this hike a bit late, so the start point is a bit off. Also, I may add another 1/2 mile at the turnaround point, which I didn't do when I scouted this hike. We'll see how everyone feels about it.

AND FINALLY!
1. Don't come if you’re not feeling well.
2. Avoid the most severe, unspeakable bad karma by CHANGING YOUR RSVP if you're not able to attend within a reasonable time - not hours before - so someone on the wait list can have your spot.
3. No Complainers allowed :-)
Any questions? Message the Hike Leader:
Susan M (703) 963-8939
7 attendees