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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Tri-State Harpers Ferry - Loudoun/Maryland Heights (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 HIKE: Is about 14 miles and about 3200ft elevation gain—a Strenuous hike, and only suited to experienced hikers.
DESCRIPTION:
Harper's Ferry/Loudoun Heights and Maryland Heights are breathtaking vista hikes that start in the town of Harper's Ferry, where Tri-states (VA/WV/MD) meet. They offer breathtaking views as well as challenging climbs.
This hiking route not only is a challenge, but offers a spectacular view of Harper's Ferry, the Shenandoah River, and significant Civil War fortifications.
IMPORTANT!
We hike at a pace of 2.6 to 3mph when moving. You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, elevation gain and pace. If I do not already know you, please contact me directly (571-488-4449). I reserve the right to drop anyone I feel may not have the necessary skills!
If I see that you are "double-booked" on another hike on the same day as this hike, I WILL DROP YOU FROM THIS HIKE. This is a courtesy to those waiting patiently on the waitlist.
Hike Leaders: David Kondner Sr and Chris; Cellphone 571-488-4449
The hike leaders will meet at the trailhead at 8:00AM.
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 7:00AM to form carpool so all cars can leave at 7:00AM. Suggested carpool fee is $7.
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.
Trailhead: Parking area Harper's Ferry Train Station at 8:00AM
112 Potomac Street, Harpers, Ferry, WV.
Coordinates: 39.324228, -77.730978
The train station has a heated waiting room and a clean bathroom.
Park Entry Fee: $20/car if you do not have a National Park Pass or Harper Ferry parking permit.
Rating: A+
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Hiking Map:
https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/e/e/4/600_457312964.jpeg16 attendees
Prince William Forest Park (Rating: C)
Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center, 18170 Park Entrance Rd, Triangle, 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 me for a scenic 8 miles along Quantico Creek and the adjoining forest. There are several rolling hills, but they are short and spread out. You may want your poles, especially with the leaves. Please make sure you are comfortable with the pace, distance, hills and natural surface trails.
HIKE: ~8 miles, 600 ft. of elevation gain
PACE: 2.5-3 mph while moving
FEES: $20 fee unless you have a National Park Pass.
RESTROOMS: There are restrooms at the Visitor Center area where we start as well as Turkey Run Education Center where we will stop for lunch.
DOGS: Dogs are welcome per the NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
MEET: Meet 15 minutes early at 8:45am to allow everyone time to check in and use the restroom. We are meeting at the Visitor Center Parking Lot. There are two parking areas in an L shape, one nearest the Visitor Center and the other adjacent to the Pine Grove Picnic Area; you can park in either area.
LEADERS: Kris N. (618) 623-2484 and Dane. If you text, please include your name.
If you haven't hiked with me before, please provide your full name, cell phone number and emergency contact number. You can text me the info or message me privately on Meetup Message; don't post it in the comments.
HIKE MAP: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-january-11-2024-d6baf6536 attendees
Fountainhead Regional Park - Wolf Run Shoals (Rating: C)
Fountainhead Regional Park, 10875 Hampton Road, Fairfax Station, 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 scenic 8 mile hike with 900 feet of elevation gain along Bull Run and in the adjoining forest. This hike is a high C rating. (Each 400 ft. of elevation equals a mile)
We will hike on the Bull Run Occoquan Trail from Fountainhead Regional Park to Wolf Run Shoals and back. There are rolling hills but they are short and spread out. This will be a fun workout!
There are porta-johns at the trailhead at Fountainhead Park parking lot.
Hiking PACE: 2.5-2.7/mph while moving
BRING:
Water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots. For the hills, hiking poles if you use them. Most of the hike is under the forest canopy.
WHERE TO MEET:
After pulling into Fountainhead Park (10875 Hampton Road, Fairfax, VA), continue driving in on Fountainhead Access Rd, past the maintenance building on the right. The large parking lot is the next turn on the right.
Meet 15 minutes early to ensure that all get signed in so that we start on time at 9 am. I will have the trunk of my metallic gray Honda fit up and be standing near the car
GPS 38.72483, -77.33010
Leader: Dawn 703-533-9231
Fee: There is no park entry fee.
Dogs are welcome.
NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Bull Run Occoquan Trail:
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/bull-run-occoquan-trail45 attendees
Raven Rocks via Blackburn Trail Center (Rating: A)
Centreville Park & Ride, 14700 Lee Hwy, 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 about a 10 mile out and back route on the Appalachian Trail with about a 2,000 foot elevation gain. We'll start at the Blackburn Trail Center, hike up to the AT, go south to Raven Rocks, have lunch there and then return. We'll hike at a pace of 2.0-2.5 mph.
The group is limited to 10 hikers at the request of the trail mangers.
Leader: Dick Pregent 703-587-2359
Park Entry Fee: $0
NOTE: PARKING SPACE IS VERY LIMITED. THE ROAD UP TO BLACKBURN TRAIL CENTER IS STEEP AND RUTTED. CARPOOLING IS ENCOURAGED.
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 7:00 am. The suggested carpool fee is $5. The leader WILL NOT be at the carpool location.
Rating: A
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
The map coordinates for the parking area: 39.18762,-77.79774
We’ll start hiking at 8:30.
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.
Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/raven-rocks-via-blackburn-trail-center-3df07fd10 attendees
Past events
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