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
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Marshall Pond Lights & Bunnyman Brewery (Rating: D FUN)
Burke Centre, Virginia, 10399 Premier Ct, Burke, 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.
We will be walking about 3 miles roundtrip from the Burke Centre VRE parking lot on trails and neighborhood streets to Marshall Pond cul-de-sac to see the renowned display of Christmas lights. Pace will be ~2.5 MPH.
As it will be dark, suggest you bring a HEAD LIGHT OR FLASHLIGHT should it be needed. You may also want to DRESS IN FESTIVE, LIGHTED HOLIDAY GEAR!
We should finish the walk no later than 6:30 PM. After the walk, those who are interested can drive to Bunnyman Brewery. There is both indoor and outdoor tented seating with heat lamps, and they will have a food truck. Be sure to bring a credit card. (They run that and then give you a key card that you use to pour your own beer, wine, cider -- as much or as little as you like!) The Brewery is at 5583 Guinea Road, Fairfax, 1.6 miles from the VRE. Drive around the back of the shops to find the Brewery.
Pets are not allowed on this hike.32 attendees
Sherman Gap and Page Valley Overlook (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 9 mile circuit hike with an elevation gain of 2200' that will begin at the Elizabeth Furnace Day Use Picnic area in the Massanutten Mountains of George Washington & Jefferson National Forests. We will start on the Sherman Gap and Botts Trails and return on the Old Shawl Gap Trail. There is a ~1 mile out and back each on the ridge to a scenic overlook of Page Valley where we will have lunch. We hike at an average pace of 2.5 mph while moving.
Park Entry Fee: $0
Rating: A
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Leader: Caroline Steinberg (703)489-1315
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 7:15am and depart at 7:30am. The leader will be at the carpool location. Suggested carpool fee is $6. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
Driving Time to trailhead: 1 hour
If you are meeting at the trailhead go to the Elizabeth Furnace Day Use Picnic area in the back parking lot at 8:30am, hike will start at 8:45am, GPS coordinates 38.927787, -78.329496. https://goo.gl/maps/tC9toZsHwMeG9umh8
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/recording/afternoon-hike-at-sherman-gap-and-page-valley-overlook-a24cf3e?u=i&sh=z7o4im
**You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, PACE, and elevation gain.**20 attendees
Bull Run Occoquan Trail - Hemlock Overlook Regional Park (Rating: B )
Bull Run Occoquan Trail, 12619 Old Yates Ford Road, Clifton, 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.
8.5 mile out and back lariat hike with 800 feet of elevation gain.
Description:
Join us for a scenic hike along Bull Run and in the adjoining forest. We will hike on the Bull Run Occoquan Trail from Bull Run Marina to Hemlock Overlook Park and back. There are rolling hills, but they are short and spread out. This will be a nice winter workout!
The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
There is no restroom at the trailhead so you may want to schedule a pit stop on the way before you arrive.
Bring:
At least 2 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots. Hiking poles if you use them.
Note: Make sure you are physically up to the distance and elevation. Any questions, please contact me.
Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:30am.
Fee: There is no parking fee.
Dogs are welcome. NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Bull Run Occoquan Trail: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/bull-run-occoquan-trail
Meeting Place Instructions:
We are meeting at the large parking lot on the left side of Yates Ford Rd, (coming from Clifton), across from the road going down to the Marina. If you come to the Bull Run Marina road or the bridge, you've gone too far.
NOTE:
We park in the large parking lot across the road from the marina parking entrance
GPS coordinates 38.74399, -77.38327
Optional post-hike rehydration Main Street Pub, Clifton, VA
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.39 attendees
Great Falls, MD Gold Mine Trails (Rating: B)
Great Falls Parking, 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.
Hike Overview: This will be a 10-mile hike in and around Great Falls, Maryland, with about 800 feet of elevation gain. We will be hiking in the woods, not along the towpath. The trail can be rocky and uneven at times. Plan for some small hills and stream crossings. I hike at a moderate to fast pace of 2.5-3.0 miles per hour.
Park Entrance Fee: None.
Trailhead: The trailhead / hike starting location is at the far end of the upper parking lot across from the Old Angler's Inn. The restrooms at the other end (by the entrance) should be open.
Duration: Approximately 5 hours
Route: We’ll hike up to the Gold Mine Loop, circle around the east side, make our way down to the towpath, and then visit Olmsted Island for a lovely view of the falls. Once back at the towpath, we'll head past the visitor center and parking lot north to the Ford Mine Loop. After finishing this loop, we'll retrace our steps to the visitor center, hike along the Overlook Trail and around the Gold Mine Loop and back to the parking lot. Highlights include: the falls overlook, Civil War trenches, gold mine sites, and a pretty stream.
Type: Our path will be roughly in the shape of a barbell.
Hiking Speed: We'll hike at a speed of 2.5-3.0 mph (moderate to fast).
Pets: Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with NVHC's dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy. The dog must be on a leash, and you must let the hike leader know in advance. Dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk to Olmsted Island, so any hikers with a dog would have to wait at the entrance while the group goes to view the falls.
Map of Hiking Trails at Great Falls, Maryland:
https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/upload/Great-Falls-Hiking-Map.pdf25 attendees
Past events
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