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
22
The Peak & Jordan River Falls – BUSHWHACK (Rating: A)
Mount Marshall Trailhead, Washington, 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 6½-mile HIKE & BUSHWHACK with an elevation gain of 2300-feet, and a trip up to one of the eastern most and least summited peaks in Shenandoah National Park. The hike starts at the Mt Marshal Rd Parking lot and heads up the Mount Marshall Road trail for 1.6 miles to Thoroughfare Gap where we'll bushwhack the abandoned "The Peak Trail" up to the summit of The Peak. On the summit we'll pause for the view then descend to Thoroughfare Gap and take the Jordon River Trail down to a point where we can bushwhack to Jordan River Falls where we'll have lunch.
Jordan River Falls, like most waterfalls in SNP, was formed by the Catoctin Formation, a series of 570 -590 million year old lava flows resistant to erosion, which can form steep cliffs causing waterfalls when streams pass over.
We'll return to the Jordon River Trail taking it back up to Thoroughfare Gap to join the Mount Marshall Road Trail where we'll descent back down to the parking lot.
The hike starts with a ~2000 ft climb from the parking lot to the Peak, with half the elevation gain in bushwhack. This elevation gain is obtained in a distance of 2¾ miles.
Note: the view on "The Peak" is quite nice in winter, and a way to get out and enjoy a section of SNP that is rarely visited. In addition we'll see the Jordon River Falls which is also not on trail.
Hike Grade: A
At only 6.5 miles, this hike seams easy at first glance. But add in the elevation gain 6.5 + 2300ft ÷ 400ft/mi = 12.25 equiv. miles which makes this a B-hike (between 10-13 miles). Although with the 2 mile bushwhack, I've added a grade to call this an A hike.Hike Maps:
Pdf map showing: Parking, Mt Marshal Rd, Thoroughfare Gap, The Peak, Jordan River Falls, Mt Marshal Trail, Jordan River Trail, and the planned route:
https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/0ceU3Wr0EnbBk0P6EcfXFnOng#The_Peak/Jordon_River_Falls_2024Pdf map from the 1980s showing: Thoroughfare Gap, The Peak, the abandoned The Peak Trail, and part of the planned route:
https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/0a6fr5_DLtUclHtUFFsgMVFcw#The_Peak/Jordon_River_Falls_1980sGaiaGPS interactive map of the route:
https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=14.4/-78.1787/38.7669&pubLink=AFwnVUFkY0dWOrv54gRcw4np&trackId=6fd71eca1267352502e49dfea8664cc9Driving Directions:
Take US 211 west to "Little" Washington, VA. Head west out of "Little Washington" on Harris Hollow Road to Mount Marshall Road. Take the road to the end where there is a parking lot. The Parking lot GPS is: 38.7477, -78.1940.Park Entrance Fee: There is no park entrance fee as the parking lot is outside SNP.
Carpools: Please feel free to arrange carpools in the comment section below the hike leader will meet you at the trailhead.
Dogs: Dogs are not allowed on this hike as it's a bushwhack.
You should be experienced in bushwhacks to go on this hike. Don't sign up if you think this will be an easy 7-mi hike.
8 attendees
Shawl Gap to Massanutten overlook (Rating: B)
Signal Knob, George Washington National Forest, Ft Valley, 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 hike in Fort Valley starting from the Signal Knob parking lot. We will make our way up Shawl Gap and head south on the Massanutten Tr to an overlook for lunch. We return using parts of the old Shawl Gap Tr and Tuscarora/Massanutten Tr back to the cars.
Need to Know Information:
*Hike Starts: 9:00 AM (Please arrive a 8:45AM to sign in)
*Distance: 8.4 miles
*Elevation gain: 1,683 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: Signal Knob parking area on Fort Valley Rd RT678 38.93422,-78.32020 https://maps.app.goo.gl/wm5GFMRhkEB2xjgA9
*Park Entrance Fee N/A
*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 🐕12 attendees
NEW DATE : Discover the U.S. Botanic Garden (Rate C Fun!)
Columbia Island Marina, George Washington Memorial Parkway, Arlington, 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.
About a 7 mile Loop with minimal elevation gain. Most of the hike will be on pavement.
Treat yourself to a lovely visit to the United States Botanic Garden. It is the oldest continuously operating public garden in the United States. During the late 18th century, George Washington had a dream of a national botanic garden and was instrumental in establishing one on the National Mall in 1820.
To Prepare our Visit to this 'secret garden', you might want to first take a Virtual Tour ; an Audio Tour; or a Video Tour of the gardens.
From there we will head over to the Sculpture Garden Pavilion Cafe for lunch. You can eat at the cafe or bring your own lunch.
Description:
We will leave from from Columbia Island Marina, head along the Potomac River on the Mount Vernon Trail, cross Memorial Bridge to the Mall. We will admire the view of Mall from the Monument. From there we continue along the Mall to the U.S. Botanic Garden. After Lunch at the Sculpture Garden Pavilion Cafe we will return to the Marina over the 14th street bridge.Pace:
Pace is about 2.5 mph while moving.Bring:
- Hydration and snacks as you desire or purchase lunch at the Sculpture Garden Pavilion Cafe.
-The route is basically level. Most of the hike will be on paved surfaces so wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Dress in layers for the weather paying special attention to your head/hands.Dogs: Dogs are NOT welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
Weather: weather in this location is HERE.
Meetup Location: We will meet up at Columbia Island Marina at 9:15 am to get checked in and ready to leave by 9:30 am.
GPS Coordinates: 38.87651,-77.04947Maps
Map National Mall13 attendees
Billy Goat B & C Trails, Olmsted Island, C&O Towpath - (Rating: B)
Billy Goat Trail Section C, Naval Surface Warfare Center 38.972500, -77.200000, Carderock, 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.
10.5 miles with 250 feet elevation gain.
Let's hike the recently reopened Billy Goat B trail which has been closed for several years. One of my favorite sections, I'm glad it's back!
This is a beautiful area along the scenic C&O Canal National Historical Park towpath. This trek will include a hike on Billy Goat B & C trails with great views of the Potomac River, as well as the roaring waters of Olmsted Island and the Great Falls overlook. This route includes a very scenic section of the towpath.
Description:
We'll start our hike on Billy Goat C trail and hike until we connect with the C&O Canal towpath. We'll hike to the Tavern visitor center for lunch break before we reconnect with the towpath. and make our way to Olmsted Island and the Great Falls Overlook. We'll then resume on the towpath until we cross over the canal onto Berma Road for a short distance where we reconnect to the towpath at Angler's Inn parking area. We're back on the towpath where we will connect to Billy Goat B trail. Note: There is one stream crossing on Billy Goat B which is fairly easily crossed by stone stepping.
After completing Billy Goat B, we'll then connect back to the towpath and return to the trailhead parking.The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
Bring:
Adequate water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots on both Billy Goat B & C.
Restrooms are available at the Carderock Picnic Area parking lot where we start as well as at the Tavern Visitor Center. Hiking poles may be useful if you normally use them.Trailhead:
We will meet in the Carderock Picnic Grounds parking lot in Carderock Recreation Area.
Please plan on being there at 8:45am so we can get everyone signed in and start the hike on time.Dogs are welcome.
Dog Policy https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyPlease note: Dogs are not allowed on the Olmsted Island boardwalk, so you will have to wait while the group completes the Olmsted Island walk.
There are no fees.
Map of Hiking Trails at Great Falls, Maryland:
https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/upload/Great-Falls-Hiking-Map.pdfDirections to Carderock Picnic Grounds Parking at Carderock Recreation Area:
From I-495, take the exit for Clara Barton Pkwy, continue on the Pkwy until you see the exit for Carderock near the Naval Surface Warfare Center. After exiting at Carderock, you will pass under the towpath tunnel. Turn left after going under the towpath tunnel and continue into the picnic grounds parking lot.
GPS 38.97122, -77.19874Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
39 attendees
Past events
4701
