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
19
CCT — Lake Audubon to Vale Rd (Rating: D)
Twin Branches at Lake Audubon, Reston, 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.
Description:
This is a 5½-6 mile hike along the CCT between Lake Audubon and Vale Road. Much of the hike follows Difficult Run and normally can be a bit muddy, but this Friday you should bring micro-spikes. There is one stream crossing across Little Difficult Run (see photo above) and some up and down, but the total elevation gain/loss is about 300 ft. Bring water and a snack as we'll stop near Vail Rd to refuel.Trailhead:
Park on the side of the road side of Twin Branches Rd and meet at the corner of Twin Branches Rd and Glade Rd. GPS 38.9315, -77.3248Map:
A GaiaGPS map of the route is available via the link below:
https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=13.5/-77.3241/38.9176&pubLink=rFQJOOamNEa6ZIrl02gyr0U0&trackId=a3d99e148c840d7cc9c3d19ee5b7912cDogs:
Permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyHiking speed: ~ 2 to 2½ mph, we will finish before noon.
Notes: We might see the infamous skunk cabbage, some goats & horses, and a possible side trip to the now abandoned Gabrielson Garden Park
20 attendees
Sky Meadows State Park - Lost Mountain (Rating: A)
University Blvd Park and Ride, 7201 New Stable Way, Gainesville, 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.
The hike will be about 11 miles with 1,200 feet of elevation gain. The hiking pace will average about 2.5 miles per hour.
Route Overview: We’ll start from the Sky Meadows Visitors’ Center parking lot at GPS coordinates (38.991732, -77.966120) and hike to and across Route 17 to the Lost Mountain area of the park.
Route Detail: Please see the posted photo for a general path overview.
Carpools: Meet at the University Blvd Park and Ride at GPS coordinates: (38.80136, -77.59032) by 8:00 AM which is off Route 29 and across from the new Sheetz store located at 7201 New Stable Way.
Please note that the carpool meetup location is across from the Sheetz store, it is not at the Sheetz location itself.
The leader will be at the carpool location but 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.
It is about a 35-minute / 28-mile drive from the University lot to the Sky Meadows Visitor Center parking lot.
Trailhead: For those meeting at the Sky Meadows Visitor Center (GPS coordinates: (38.991732, -77.966120), please be at the Sky Meadows Visitor Center parking lot no later than 9:00 AM. Please note that the park opens at 8:00 AM.
Fees:
• Suggested carpool fee is $3.
• The Sky Meadows park entry fee is $10 or free with a REI receipt or Virginia state park pass.Dogs: Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Leader: Jim Hollis (703-927-7189… please use text)
25 attendees
Mason District Park to Green Spring Gardens (Rating: D)
Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale, 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.
You don't have to wait until spring to enjoy beautiful flowers in bloom. Join me on this 5.5 mile Annandale hike from Mason District Park to Green Spring Gardens. They have a lovely collection of orchids in the Glass House, native plant gardens with witch hazel and snow drops, wooded stream valley with ponds, a historic home and gift shop. We will be walking on dirt trails, sidewalks, and some asphalt paths.
HIKE: 5.5 mile/260 ft. of elevation gain. Pace 2.5-3 mph while moving.
MEET: Meet at Mason District Park, Annandale, VA - follow signs to the amphitheater where there is ample, free parking right next to the tennis courts and restroom (may not be open). Please arrive 15 minutes early so there is time to check in and leave promptly at 9:30am.
RESTROOM: There are restrooms at Mason District (may be closed) and at the halfway point at Green Spring Gardens.
DOGS: No dogs please.
LEADER: Kris N (618) 623-2484 and Anita D
Meeting Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NfAfh5DMTXn7T5cA7
27 attendees
NEW DATE Winter Fun: Hike and Optional Skate in Reston (Rating: C)
Cava, 1815 Fountain Drive, Reston, 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 winter fun, hiking and ice skating! First time skaters welcome.
We will meet next to the Mercury Fountain, which is north of the Ice Rink. From the fountain, we will take the Green Trail to Lake Anne. From there we continue on the Blue Trail and some other paths until we reach Lake Fairfax. We will zigzag through Lake Fairfax Park and we will have a break at Lake Fairfax Park Campground A (excellent facilities). Then we will continue through the Lake Fairfax Park until we make a right turn that will bring us close to the Reston Golf Course. We will hike along the golf course until we hit the W&OD trail at Sallie Mae Drive. Then we will follow the W&OD trail back to Reston, to start part 2 of the fun. The hike is 6 miles with ~400 feet elevation gain.
We plan to arrive at the Reston Ice Rink about 11:45am for the ice skating portion of this event, followed by lunch at Makers Union about 1pm. Cost for skating is $11 adults/$9 senior or military plus $8 skate rental.
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation: 400 ft.
Pace: 2.5-3 mph while moving
Coordinates of the meeting place: 38.958924, -77.356932
Dogs: not allowed
Leaders: Willem Janssen, (202) 280-4397 and Kris N. (618) 623-2484
Rating: C
Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-december-2-2024-9c838d2?u=i&sh=g8n9nn24 attendees
Past events
4670
