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 were 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 (4+)
See all- Blockhouse Point Conservation Park and C&O Canal Towpath (Rating: B)C&O Canal Lock 22, Potomac, MD
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.
10 mile circuit hike with about 650 feet of elevation gain.
Join us for a scenic hike along the C&O Canal towpath and the forest trails of Blockhouse Point Conservation Park.
Description: Starting from Lock 22 Pennyfield Lock parking lot off of River Road we will hike on the C&O Canal towpath. We will then hike to Violette's Lock and on to Riley's Lock where we'll cross the Seneca Creek Aqueduct and take a short side trip to the Seneca Mill & Quarry Ruins. We'll retrace our steps and take a lunch/snack break at Riley's Lock before heading back to Violette's Lock where we will make our way into Blockhouse Point Park. We will take several trails in the forest and stop at a couple of overlooks of the Potomac and Canal Towpath on our way back to the parking lot to complete the circuit.
This is a B hike due to the mileage, but most of the hike is level. There is one short but somewhat steep hill going up into the forest. You might want to bring hiking poles if you normally use them on hills. The overlooks are short out and backs and descend slightly from the forest area. These rocky overlooks offer great views of the Potomac!
The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
There are porta-johns at the locks.
Bring: Adequate water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots with a lot of leaf coverage on the ground. There is one small stream that is easily stepped across. Insect repellant and sunscreen recommended.
Fee: There is no park fee.
Dogs are welcome. NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 8:30am.
Blockhouse Point Park:
https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/blockhouse-point-conservation-park-trails/C&O Canal Pennyfield, Violette's, and Riley's Locks:
https://birdersguidemddc.org/site/co-canal-pennyfield-violettes-rileys-locks/C&O Canal Pennyfield Lock:
https://www.canaltrust.org/pyv/lock-22-parking/Meeting Place Instructions: We will meet at Pennyfield Lock, Lock 22 parking area on Pennyfield Lock Road. GPS 39.053641, -77.288893. See attached directions in the link.
After turning onto River Road west from I-495, Pennyfield Lock Road is about 8.5 miles on your left. Keep your eyes open and look for the sign for the turnoff onto Pennyfield Rd intersection. Proceed to the end of Pennyfield Road. I will be in a white Nissan SUV with the rear hatch open.
Optional post hike rehydration at Rocklands Farm Winery.
If you have questions, please message me here or call/text me at 202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
- Trumbo Hollow to Mosby Campground (Rating: A)Centerville park and ride, Centerville, VA
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 out & back hike is about 10 miles with 1900 feet elevation gain on the AT. We start from Rt. 55 in Linden, and take the AT south to Mosby campground. On the way back, approximately 7 miles into the hike, we we'll stop at the Jim & Molly Denton Shelter for lunch.
Leader: Maryellen Trevisan 202-730-5314
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 45 minutes. Please arrive at the Park and Ride by 7:15AM to form carpools so all cars can leave at 7:30AM. Suggested carpool fee is $5.
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 off 55 and Tucker Ln in Linden at 8:15AM. Hike begins at 8:30am.
GPS Coordinates: 38.91129532513492, -78.05302182206734 https://maps.app.goo.gl/8T2MwBZDTYxjqjUA8
If parking is full, drive down Tuckers Lane to AT Trailhead parking and walk back to meeting spot. Parking could be tight since hike is on the weekend.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UJowgptvZb2YAkdv8Park Entry Fee: $0
Rating: A
Pace: Average pace 2.8 mph
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Hiking Map:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/trumbo-hollow-via-appalachian-trail-2a50e9c?u=i&sh=rr7xq6You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, elevation gain and speed.
- Meadowood Recreation Area to Pohick Bay Regional Park (Rating: B)10702 Harley Rd, Lorton, VA
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.
9.5 miles, about 765 feet elevation gain.
Description:
This hike will combine trails from both the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area and Pohick Bay Regional Park. Highlights of the hike are the streams and woods that both areas have, a pet cemetery, and Pohick Bay itself which is a great kayaking/birding area.The Mountain Laurels may be blooming.
We will meet at 8:45 am in the Meadowood Horse Trailer/Mustang Loop Trailhead parking lot to start our hike at 9:00am on the Mustang Loop Trail. We will hike a couple of trails in Meadowood then make our way into Pohick Bay Regional Park. We will stop for lunch at Pohick Bay Park Marina.
There is a restroom near the horse stable in Meadowood, about two miles into the hike where we will stop. Other restrooms are available in Pohick Bay.
Please arrive a few minutes early so we can get everyone signed in and start the hike on time at 9:00am.Meadowood Website: https://www.blm.gov/visit/meadowood-special-recreation-management-area
Pohick Bay Regional Park Website: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/pohick-bay-regional-park
Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Park Fees: No fees
The pace will be about 2.5 mph when moving.
Bring
At least 2 liters of water/hydration, lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes. Insect repellent. Hiking poles if you use them.Directions: to Meadowood Horse Trailer Parking Lot (Mustang Loop Trailhead parking):
From I95 going South: Exit 163 to Lorton. Turn left onto Lorton Rd, continue under the second overpass and turn right onto Lorton Market St. Continue approx 1.5 miles and continue through the Hwy 1 intersection where the road turns into Gunston Rd. Travel along Gunston Rd apx 2.6 miles to Harley Rd on the right. Make the right turn and travel about 100 yards where you will see a dirt parking lot on the right which is where we’ll meet.
From 195 going North: Take exit 161 to Lorton, U.S. Route 1 North. Proceed about 1.5 miles to first stop light (intersection of Hwy 1 and Lorton Market St/Gunston Rd. Turn right onto Gunston Rd. Travel along Gunston Rd apx 2.6 miles to Harley Rd on the right. Make the right turn and travel about 100 yards where you will see a dirt parking lot on the right which is where we’ll meet.
Meeting Place Instructions: Meadowood Horse Trailer Parking Lot, Mustang Loop Trailhead Parking: GPS coordinates 38.66810, -77.18789
Rehydration TBD
Any questions please contact me at 202-528-0456, if you text/call please include your name
