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
23
Tuscarora Trail to Massanutten Trail to Botts Trail Loop (Rating: B)
Centreville Park & Ride Lot, 14700 Lee Highway, 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.
This is an 8.7 mile loop with 1,700 ft elevation gain in George Washington National Forest. The first 2 miles are uphill and then we hike the ridge. We'll stop about halfway for lunch. There is a fairly steep and rocky descent so hiking sticks are recommended. We'll hike at a 2.0 to 2.5 mph.
Hiking map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/virginia/tuscarora-trail-to-massanutten-mountain-trail-to-botts-trail-loop1ef03ed
Rating: B
Leader: Dick Pregent 703-587-2359
Park Entry Fee: $0
We will meet at the Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area Parking lot in George Washington National Park. GPS coordinates: 38.92953, -78.3292
The suggested carpool location is at the Centerville P&R. The driving time from there to the trailhead is about 1 hour. Please arrive at the Park and Ride a few minutes before 7:30 AM to form carpool so all cars can leave by 7:30AM. Suggested carpool fee is $5. Hike leader will not be at carpool location.
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.
We will start hiking at 09:00 AM so please be at the trailhead by 08:45 AM.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy20 attendees
Dickey Ridge - Fox Hollow to Snead Farm Road (Rating : A)
Centreville Park & Ride, 14700 Lee Hwy, Centreville, VA, USREQUIRED: You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet
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 moderate hike of approximately 12 miles, out and back with an elevation gain of ~2200 feet. Much of the uphill is at the beginning of the hike. These are well-maintained trails with minimal small stream crossings. The pace will be 2.5 to 3.0 mph when moving. You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, elevation gain and speed.
BATHROOMS: At Dickey Ridge Visitor's Center where we will stop for lunch. There is drinking water from the faucets to replenish our water supplies, but there are no vending machines or water/food for sale at the visitor center.
We hike at a fast pace of 2.5-3.0 mph when moving.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Leader: David K. 571-488-4449
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 7:00 am. The suggested carpool fee is $7. The leader WILL NOT be at the carpool location.
Park Entry FEE: None, because we’ll be parking just outside the park.
IF YOU WILL BE MEETING US AT TRAILHEAD: Please arrive at the trailhead by 8:00 a.m. There is limited parking at the trailhead on the side of the road before the Shenandoah National Park Front Royal Entrance Station. If you have gone to the park entrance, you have gone too far. The map coordinates for the parking are 38.905697,-78.198824.
Driving time to the trailhead from Centreville: 50 minutes.
Map of the hike: Note that the hike starts where the trail first crosses the road on the map (the GPS points are provided), not where it says start.
https://liveandlethike.com/2016/09/01/dickey-ridge-trail-section-1-shenandoah-national-park-va/15 attendees
Halfmoon Lookout (Rating: A)
Centreville Park and Ride, 14700 Lee Highway, 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.
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. There are a few stream crossings. 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.20 attendees
Big Devil's Stairs (Rating: A)
Centreville Park & Ride Lot, 14700 Lee Highway, 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.
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.28 attendees
Past events
4565
