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
18
Signal Knob Loop (Rating: A)
Centreville Park & Ride, 14700 Lee Hwy,, Centreville, 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.
Meetup date/time: January 19 at 7:45 a.m. (carpool location) or 8:45 a.m. (trailhead location)
Distance and Elevation Gain: Approximately 10 miles and 2.200 feet. You should have prior, recent experience with "A" level hikes.
Description: This is a circuit on Massanutten Mountain in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests. The hike is predominantly on the Massanutten (orange blazed) and Tuscarora (blue blazed) trails, and includes great views from Buzzard Rock Overlook, Fort Valley Overlook, and Signal Knob. Signal Knob's historical significance stems from its use as a lookout point during the Civil War by both the Confederate and Union troops. We hike at a pace of ~2.5 mph while moving, slightly slower on the uphills and slightly faster on the downhills.
Carpooling: For those wishing to carpool, the suggested carpool location is at the Centreville P&R (38.836080, -77.455327). The driving time from there to the trailhead is about 1 hour. Please arrive at the Park and Ride by 7:35 AM. Neither the Club nor the hike leader is responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed 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 is $7. The hike leader will NOT be at the carpool location.
Trailhead: Please arrive at the trailhead by 8:45 a.m. for a 9:00 a.m. start at the Signal Knob Trailhead Parking Lot on Fort Valley Rd, Fort Valley, VA 22652 (GPS: 38.934984, -78.319957).
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Leader: John H
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
Rating: A
Hiking Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/signal-knob-loop-trail-fb4c835-223 attendees
Rock Creek Park DC (Rating: A)
Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium, 5200 Glover Rd 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.
This is a 9 mile hike with 1000' elevation gain in Rock Creek Park on various trails. We will begin by going south on the Western Ridge Trail at the parking lot at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium in Washington, DC. and then loop around on the Valley trail. We hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph when moving.
Rating: A
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 (C) and Jolie
*** If the group size exceeds 20 we will divide up into two groups due to permit restrictions. Each group will go in opposite directions and be limited to 20 people max.***
Arrive at 8:45am at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium parking lot so we can get checked in and start at 9:00am. 38.958994, -77.051658. This is the lot closest to the Nature Center. Park on the end of the lot closest to the building. The Nature Center is closed on Mondays. https://goo.gl/maps/uYxV8mX1kQ5hLMMU8
Park Entry Fee: None
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy.
AllTrails Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/rock-creek-park-be0b24f?u=i&sh=7cs7ov
****You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain. ****40 attendees
Blockhouse Point Conservation Park and C&O Canal Towpath (Rating: B)
C&O Canal Lock 22, Lock 22, Potomac, 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.
10 mile circuit hike with about 650 feet of elevation gain.
Join us for a scenic hike on this Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday along the C&O Canal towpath and the forest trails of Blockhouse Point Conservation Park.
Description: Starting from Lock 22 Pennyfield Lock parking lot off of River Road we will hike on the C&O Canal towpath. We will then hike to Violette's Lock and on to Riley's Lock where we'll cross the Seneca Creek Aqueduct and take a short side trip to the Seneca Mill & Quarry Ruins. We'll retrace our steps and take a lunch/snack break at Riley's Lock before heading back to Violette's Lock where we will make our way into Blockhouse Point Park. We will take several trails in the forest and stop at a couple of overlooks of the Potomac and Canal Towpath on our way back to the parking lot to complete the circuit.
This is a B hike due to the mileage, but most of the hike is level. There is one short but somewhat steep hill going up into the forest. You might want to bring hiking poles if you normally use them on hills. The overlooks are short out and backs and descend slightly from the forest area. These rocky overlooks offer great views of the Potomac!
The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
There are porta-johns at the locks.
Bring: Adequate water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots with a lot of leaf coverage on the ground. There is one small stream that is easily stepped across.
Fee: There is no park fee.
Dogs are welcome. NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:00am.
Blockhouse Point Park:
https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/blockhouse-point-conservation-park-trails/
C&O Canal Pennyfield, Violette's, and Riley's Locks:
https://birdersguidemddc.org/site/co-canal-pennyfield-violettes-rileys-locks/
C&O Canal Pennyfield Lock:
https://www.canaltrust.org/pyv/lock-22-parking/
Meeting Place Instructions: We will meet at Pennyfield Lock, Lock 22 parking area on Pennyfield Lock Road. GPS 39.053641, -77.288893. See attached directions in the link.
After turning onto River Road west from I-495, Pennyfield Lock Road is about 8.5 miles on your left. Keep your eyes open and look for the sign for the turnoff onto Pennyfield Rd intersection. Proceed to the end of Pennyfield Road. I will be in a white Nissan SUV with the rear hatch open.
Post hike rehydration TBD.
If you have questions, please message me here or call/text me at 202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.35 attendees
Manassas National Battlefield Park - Second Manassas & Brawner Farm (Rating: B)
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.
9 miles, about 540 feet elevation gain.
Description:
Join us for a hike along the rolling fields and woods of the scene of the Civil War battle of 2nd Manassas that occurred in 1862. This hike is rich in the history of this battle fought over three days. The battlefield is well maintained with noted significant event information along the way. We will take a side loop to Brawner Farm where Confederate Gen Stonewall Jackson engaged the Union forces of General Gibbon in a precursor to the 2nd Manassas main battle.
We will then make our way back to the 2nd Manassas trail and continue on to complete the loop back to our starting point.
We will meet at the Visitor Center which has restrooms available.
Please plan on arriving at the 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 38.81294, -77.52148
Dogs
Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Manassas National Battlefield Park website:
https://www.nps.gov/mana/index.htm
Park 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 are no stream crossings, however there may some muddy areas if there has been recent rain.
Any questions please message me here or text/call me at 202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.35 attendees
Past events
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