Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC)

4.9•27335 ratings

Mc Lean, VA, US

2,449 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

Wed, Dec 3 · 7:29 AM EST
Bear's Den Park to Sam Moore Shelter (Rating: B)
Centerville park and ride, 14700 Lee Highway, Centreville, Centerville, VA, US
You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](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 7.1 mile out & back hike along the Appalachian Trail with a little over 2,000 foot elevation gain. We'll hike to the Sam Moore Shelter, have lunch and return. This hike is just as challenging both ways. We will hike at a pace of 2.0-2.5 mph. There are some rocky portions and hiking sticks are recommended.

Leader: Dick Pregent 703-587-2359

Park Entry Fee: $0

Rating: B

For those wishing to carpool, 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 at 7:30 AM.

Hike leader will not be at carpool location.

Please arrive at the trailhead by 0845 so we can start hiking at 0900.

Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy They must be kept on a leash at all times.

GPS coordinates for trailhead: 39.11542, -77.84713

Map for hike:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/bear-s-den-park-to-sam-moore-shelter-a91af17

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 they participate at their own risk.
23 attendees
4 seats left
Thu, Dec 4 · 9:00 AM EST
Dickey Ridge - Fox Hollow to Snead Farm Road (Rating : A)
Dickey Ridge Trailhead, 17065 Skyline Dr, Front Royal, 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 a moderate hike of approximately 12 miles, out and back with an elevation gain of 2500 feet. These are well-maintained trails with minimal small stream crossings.

We will hike at the rate of 2.0-2.5 mi/hr while moving. We will start from the Dickey Ridge trailhead on the entrance to Skyline drive but outside of the SNP gate (see trailhead coordinates below)--if you drive to the to park entrance, you have gone too far. We will hike then past a switchback, to a 19th century cemetery, to Skyline Drive, Snead's Farm and finally the Visitor Center, where we will eat lunch and take in the view of the Valley. There are bathroom and water fountains at the Visitors Center to refresh and restock your water supply. We'll hopefully get done in time to get other meaningful things done on the rest of our day. Because we will not cross the park gates, there will be no park entrance fee.

The hike will start promptly at 9:00 AM after introductions and a brief chat about the hike. Please arrive 15 minutes in advance so you can get all your gear sorted out and we can get hiking as close as possible to 9:00 am. Please bring snacks/lunch, and respect the need for water. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear hiking shoes or other rugged footwear. The hike will be weather dependent – no rain.

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

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. Note that there are bathrooms at the Visitors Center.

Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 38.90629609294134, -78.19656675991669

AllTrails map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/trail-planner-map-1597d21-40?ref=share-sms&sh=nfauoe

You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain. This hike is suitable for experienced, fit hikers who have done similar ones in past few months, and I reserve the right to turn away hikers who may not be fit. If you have ANY question about your ability to complete this hike, please contact me.

Leader: Scott H (703-431-3010)
16 attendees
Thu, Dec 4 · 9:30 AM EST
Tundra Swanfall at The Great Marsh (Rating: C)
Pohick Bay Regional Park, 6501 Pohick Bay Drive, Lorton, 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.

About 8 miles with 150 foot elevation gain.

Let's greet the migrating Tundra Swans at the Great Marsh in Elizabeth Hartwell Wildlife Refuge as we also enjoy a bit of Pohick Bay Regional Park.

The Tundra Swans are back in town! These magnificent birds are spending the winter in the Great Marsh of Belmont Bay and will leave in mid-March for their breeding grounds in the tundra of far northern Canada near the Arctic Ocean.

“Swanfall” is the term used to describe the annual return of swans to their winter home here at Elizabeth Hartwell Wildlife Management Area.

The Tundra Swans are wintering in the Great Marsh, one of the largest freshwater marshes in Virginia.

Description:
We'll begin our hike in Pohick Bay Regional Park and make our way to Elizabeth Hartwell Wildlife Management Area and the Woodmarsh Trail to the bird viewing stand to see the Tundra Swans. We will retrace our hike back to Pohick Bay Park and the parking lot. There will be a great view of the bay area as well as a lake and marshes.

The pace will be about 2.5 mph.

There are restrooms at the Eagles Nest Veranda where we begin our hike.

Bring
Adequate water/hydration also snacks/lunch. The route is mostly level on a mix of hard and dirt surface. Some sections may get muddy after heavy rains. A good portion of the hike is on the multi-purpose paved bike trail and High Point Trail. The Woodmarsh trail is natural surface. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes. I recommend good hiking shoes as parts of some of the trails are covered by fallen leaves and tree roots.

Fee: No Fee

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

Elizabeth Hartwell Wildlife Management Area:
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/elizabeth-hartwell-mason-neck

Pohick Bay Regional Park:
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/pohick-bay-regional-park

Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to be signed in and get ready to hike at 9:30am.

Meeting Place Instructions:
From Interstate 95 North:
- Take exit 161 to Lorton, Rt. 1 N.
- Go about 1.8 miles to first stop light and turn right on to Gunston Rd.
- Go about 3.2 miles on Gunston Rd to park entrance on left.
- Drive straight into the park all the way down to the marina area.
From Interstate 95 South:
- From I95 S, exit 163 to Lorton.
- Left onto Lorton Rd at the end of exit ramp.
- Go under second overpass and turn right onto Lorton Market St. (You will see Shoppers Food Warehouse)
- Go about 1.1 mile to traffic light at RT. 1.
- Go straight through light (road name changes to Gunston Rd) and go about 3.2 miles to park entrance on left.
- Drive straight into the park all the way down to the marina area.
Make sure to go past the Pohick Bay Golf Course and Meadowood Stables on Gunston Rd. Turn left on Pohick Bay Drive, at the park entrance. After entering the park, go straight down the road to the marina area. When you get to the Eagle’s Nest, there is a parking lot just around the loop. Park there and we will meet at 9:15am so we can get everyone checked in. There are restrooms at the Eagles Nest Veranda. GPS: 38.67467, -77.16711

Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
30 attendees
Thu, Dec 4 · 10:00 AM EST
Wakefield Park To Lake Accotink (Rating: D)
Wakefield Park Softball Field #8, Annandale, 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 relatively flat five-mile hike with two short hills, elevation gain is 50 feet. Hiking pace while moving is about 2 miles an hour. Part of the trail is paved. Sneakers or hiking boots, can be some mud on the trail. Bring water and, if you like, a snack. Great hike for a beginning hiker. We stop midway for a snack. Please arrive a few minutes early to take attendance.
No park entry fee.

Hike leader: Dotty Smith. 703-439-8670
Anita DeAngelis 507-990-6055

No dogs permitted on this hike.

DETAILS/DIRECTIONS: We will start near the first ballfield as you enter Wakefield Park, which is the first left (following a service road) after you drive off of Braddock Road into Wakefield Park. We will meet just off the parking lot for the ball fields, on the left side. Restrooms at this parking lot should be open. There also are restrooms 1/4 mile further down the park road at the Audrey Moore Recreation Center. We will walk to and around Lake Accotink with a stop about halfway at the marina where there are restrooms and water sources. Good place for a snack, if you want to bring one.

GPS Coordinates: 38.814247, -77.224871
25 attendees