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- Pinnacles Picnic Area to Stony Man Mountain and Back (Rating: A)University Blvd Park and Ride, Gainesville, 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.
This is an approximate 9-mile hike in the Shenandoah National Park with around 2,000 feet elevation gain. I plan to hike at a speed: 2.0 – 2.5 mph (moderate).
Most of the hike will be on the Appalachian Trail, except for the portion of the hike up to Stony Man and the return to the AT via the Furnace Spring and Passamaquoddy trails.
With a maximum elevation of 4,011 feet, the summit of Stony Man Mountain is one of the highest in the park and offers great vistas of the Shenandoah National Park and surrounding areas. Although dogs are allowed on the Appalachian Trail, dogs are not allowed on the Stony Man Trail so dogs will not be permitted on this hike.
Park Entrance Fee: The Park entrance fee is $30 per car or free with NPS park pass.
Carpool Fee: Suggested carpool fee is $6.00.
Carpools. Meet at the Park and Ride off Route 29 at GPS coordinates: 38.801222, -77.591361 no later than 7:45 AM. Meetup is across the service road from the Sheetz store located at 7201 New Stable Way. The entrance to the park and ride is off Route 29.
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.
NOTE: It is about a 55 mile / one hour and 10-minute drive from the University BLVD Park and Ride to the Trailhead depending on traffic.
Trailhead: The trail head is in the Pinnacles Picnic Area just past mile marker 36, 5.3 miles south of the Thornton Gap entrance (GPS coordinates: 38.623481, -78.343600). Please plan to be at the Pinnacles Picnic Area trailhead by 9:15 AM.
• Route: Most of the hike will be on the Appalachian Trail, except for the portion of the hike up to Stony Man and the return to the AT via the Furnace Spring and Passamaquoddy trails. See map at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OTFu1Z6GtlUH1Pgy0bDTm-WTY_Pd3NMH/view?usp=sharing
• Type: Mostly out and back with Loop around Stony Man
• Pets: Although dogs are allowed on the Appalachian Trail, dogs are not allowed on the Stony Man Trail so dogs will not be permitted on this hike.
Leader: Jim Hollis (703-927-7189... please use text)
- Riverbend Park, Great Falls Park, (Rating: C)Riverbend Park Visitor's Center, Great Falls, 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.
8 mile circuit hike with 500 feet of elevation gain.
A nice hike along the scenic Potomac River and adjoining forests of Riverbend Park and Great Falls Park.
Description:
We'll start our hike in Riverbend and then join the Potomac Heritage trail where we will travel south to Great Falls. We'll stop at the Great Falls overlook(s) for some amazing views of the falls and then continue on the River Trail as it winds along Mather Gorge and some more great scenery. We will then connect to the Ridge Trail, Swamp Trail, Old Carriage Road, back to Great Falls visitor center and begin our return to Riverbend. Lunch break about halfway through.Hike Pace:
Pace will be about 2.5 mph.Bring:
At least 2 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas/tree roots on the River Trail. Hiking poles if you normally use them. There are no stream crossings. Recommend insect repellent and sunscreen.Fee:
There is no entrance fee at Riverbend Park, but I will need to collect $2.00 from each hiker to cover the cost of group fees at Riverbend. Group fees are required for groups of 12 or more. I will get the group permit in advance. Small bills only please!Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Riverbend Park trail map:
https://www.hikingupward.com/OVH/RiverBend/images/Map.pdf
Great Falls Park trail map:
https://www.nps.gov/grfa/upload/GRFA-complete-map-508.pdfMeet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to get signed in and ready to hike at 9:30am.
Meeting Place Instructions: Riverbend Park, Great Falls, VA. We will meet at the lower parking lot, on the right, across from the Riverbend Visitor Center. Coordinates 39.01817, -77.24599
Post hike re-hydration at Old Brogue Irish Pub, Great Falls
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
- Reston Lakes and Woodlands (Rating: C)Walker Nature Center, Reston, 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.
This is an enjoyable hike with beautiful lakes, shaded trails and even a snack/rest room break at a Starbucks. It is about an 8 mile hike with 423 feet of elevation gain around lakes and among the woodlands of Reston. We'll meet at the Walker Nature Center at 9:00 am and hike through the Glade Stream Valley and then along Lake Audubon and Lake Thoreau. The hike route is about 60% on paved paths with the remainder on dirt trails. Restrooms are available at the Walker Nature Center.
We hike at a pace of approximately 2.5 -3.0 mph while moving. You must be experienced with hikes of this length and elevation gain.
Park on Glade Road so the Nature Center parking lot can be kept open for the Center's pre-school activities and drop-offs.
Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic
Leader: Steve Frith cell 703-629-0174
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
Map for hike:
- Elkwallow Wayside-Sugarloaf Loop (Rating: B)Elkwallow Wayside, Rileyville, 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.
Join us for a MODERATE PACE hike in the Shenandoah National Park. We start from Elkwallow Wayside and take to AT north to the upper Piney Branch Tr. From there we loop around via the Sugarloaf Tr and return to the cars on the Elkwallow Tr. Post hike, enjoy Elkwallow Wayside's famous Blackberry ice cream.
Need to Know Information:
*Hike Starts: 9:00 AM (Please arrive 15 minutes early to sign in)
*Distance: 8.5 miles
*Elevation gain: 1,614 feet elevation gain
*Pace: Moderate Pace of 2.0-2.5 mph when moving.
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.
*TRAILHEAD Elkwallow Wayside Skyline Dr. ~MM24
GPS 38.738534,-78.309739 https://maps.app.goo.gl/RHnddpYeMw4ug4x6A
*Park Entrance Fee $30 per car or free if you have the annual pass.
*CARPOOLING: For those who are looking to carpool, feel free to use the comment section to organize.Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Carpooling is organized by the hikers and they participate at their own risk.
*Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic
Alltrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/elkwallow-hogback-sugarloaf-short-hike-c6036a6Leaders: Becky M. 703-229-9699 and David C. 571-643-3897
