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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Potomac Heritage Trail to Trump National Golf Club (Rating: C)
seneca road, 100 Seneca Rd, Great Falls, 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 6.3 mile hike with 450 feet elevation gain along the Potomac Heritage Trail starting on the Fairfax/Loudoun county line, Seneca Rd and going west, upstream, to the Trump National Golf Club. We hike at a 2.0-2.5 mph pace when moving. Parts of the trail may be overgrown.
Rating: C
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Trail head GPS Coordinates: 39.051421, -77.334234 https://goo.gl/maps/VGZ4DY4TV1c5nRbLA
The address shown in the location field may or may not get you to the correct place when loaded in GPS, please check against the map.
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 (C)
Carpool Fee: $0.00
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
AllTrails Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-december-27-2024-43b9787?u=i&sh=7cs7ov35 attendees
Tundra Swanfall at The Great Marsh (Rating: C)
Pohick Bay Regional Park, 6501 Pohick Bay Drive, Lorton, 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 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.33 attendees
Christmas Lights Evening Stroll (Rating: D, Fun)
MARC train station, 3701 Howard Avenue, Kensington, MD, US*** New Trial Process - No More Signing In ***
Step 1: Read the Liability Disclaimer: https://www.nvhc.com/signin.pdf
Step 2: When prompted, type:
"I Accept/Full Name/Contact Number/Emergency Contact Number"
Example: "I accept/Jane Doe/703-555-5555/301-666-6666"
This is a trial process and is not available on all hikes.
Length: 4 mi. Elevation gain: 200 feet. Pace: 2.0 miles per hour
** Not suitable for fast paced hikers **
DESCRIPTION
We will take a leisurely walk through the neighborhoods of Kensington, MD and Rock Creek Trail to visit the spectacular Christmas lights decorations at the Mormon Temple. Optional dinner in Kensington after the hike.
DETAILS
We will meet in the parking lot of the MARC station in Kensington MD. We will walk first along Kensington Parkway and then on Rock Creek Trail to the Mormon Temple. We will take a 45-minute break to visit the temple and the lights. We will then continue our walk through the neighborhood streets of Kensington to return to the starting point. Mostly pavement; there is a small section where we can hike optionally on the trail by the side of Silver Creek. Wear an article of clothing that reflects light so that vehicles can see you. Flashlights are ok but are not really required; once your eyes adjust, the night vision is usually sufficient.
Dinner will be at downtown Kensington; based on the group size we may need to split into different groups so that we do not overwhelm the restaurants. Options for dinner include Frankly Pizza and a couple of other restaurants.
WHERE TO MEET
Kensington MARC Station: at 3711 Howard Av. Coordinates: 39.026756, -77.071935
DOGS not permitted due to the nature of the event.23 attendees
Xmas Escape (Rating: C)
Red Caboose, W&OD Trail, 131 Church Street, NE, Vienna, 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.
(7ish-mile, mainly flat, out-and-back moderate [roughly 3 mph while moving] hike. Rating: C)
Looking for a getaway after Christmas presents have been unwrapped and before a festive dinner -- or just looking for a hike if you don't celebrate Christmas? Please join us as we trek along the paved W&OD Trail, its dirt horse trail, and a couple of side trails. We will attempt a couple of stream crossings (hopefully not too wet from the drought) but you can detour around them. We'll start at the RED CABOOSE in Vienna and turn around at Hunter Mill Road at Reston's border.
MEET: Noon at the RED CABOOSE on the W&OD Trail ACROSS THE STREET FROM the Freeman Store & Museum, 131 Church Street, Vienna, VA. Copy these coordinates into Google Maps: 38.903539, -77.265726
IMPORTANT NOTES: PLEASE READ. YOU WILL BE GRADED ON THIS. Adults only and no pets, including pet reindeer. Bring: sense of humor and water. Optional binoculars, cameras, and iNaturalist apps are welcome since this stretch of the trail is usually birdy and the hike leader can't resist a good nature op. Please stay RIGHT on all public trails to allow bikes, runners, walkers, and sleighs to safely pass us. Finish time of 3:30 pm is approximate.
RESTROOMS: Commercial/town restrooms will likely be closed for Christmas so stop by a restroom beforehand. There are portapotties at our turnaround point (and biobreaks available about half-way there).
PARKING: Free street parking by meeting place and additional parking in the lot at the nearby Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. SE, Vienna, VA. (PLEASE READ THE SIGNS. DON'T PARK WHERE IT SAYS NO W&OD PARKING OR YOU COULD BE TOWED.)
W&OD TRAIL:
(Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park)
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/washington-and-old-dominion-railroad-regional-park
W&OD TRAIL MAP:
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/Viewer/index.html?appid=58c4130464c747abb0f70fce13b30729
CLOSEST METRO: Vienna-Fairfax/GMU station on the Orange Line.
https://www.wmata.com/rider-guide/stations/vienna.cfm32 attendees
Past events
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