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
22
Potomac Heritage- Goose Creek to Bles Park (Rating: C)
Kephart Bridge Landing, 43942 Riverpoint Drive (Lansdowne area), Leesburg, 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 an 8.8 mile with 75 ft elevation out and back hike on the Potomac Heritage Trail in Loudoun County. On this hike we'll experience scenic Goose Creek as it flows into the expanse of the Potomac. There is also a lot of history as we hike along the ruins of the Goose Creek Canal ( see the background information below) and Selden Island which is privately owned and is known for it's prehistoric archaeological sites dating back to 1000BC.
We will begin at Riverpoint Drive trailhead (Porta Potty is available) and follow Goose Creek and then the Potomac to our turnaround at Bles Park where there are restrooms.
Background History: In 1849, construction began on a system of locks and dams to render the Goose Creek navigable up to three large mills in the Loudoun Valley. By 1845, the Goose Creek and Little River Navigation Company canal system had been completed on Goose Creek to Ball's (Evergreen) Mill, 12 miles (19 km) upstream from the mouth. Though the lower portion of the canal saw significant usage, only one boat was ever known to have traveled the whole stretch, and by 1857 the canal was put out of business by the completion of the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad to Leesburg. Most of the locks and dams were destroyed by the Union Army during the Civil War.
We hike at a pace of ~ 2.5 mph while moving. You must have experience with hikes of this length and elevation gain.
Meet at the Riverpoint Drive Trailhead at 8:45am for sign-in. Restroom (Porta Potty) is available at the Trailhead
Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic
Leaders: Steve Frith cell 703-629-0174
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
Map for hike:
https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=11.3/-77.4740/39.085134 attendees
Historic Clifton (Rating: D)
Clifton Town Park, Clifton, VA, 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.
What do the Titanic, Sleepless in Seattle, DAR, President Grant, and John Mosby all have in common? Find out on this NEW hike through historic Clifton and several parks including Webb Nature Sanctuary, Buckley Park and Clifton Creek Park. There are some nice water views and birds along Popes Head Creek. Learn how this quaint village has been able to escape developers and maintain it's small-town charm.
For those who are interested after the hike, we plan to meet for lunch at one of the restaurants. Please arrive by 8:45 so we can get everyone checked in and start promptly at 9:00.
HIKE: 4.5 miles mostly flat, with one steep 200 ft (optional) paved climb
PACE: 2.5-3mph while moving
TRAILS: Dirt, paved, some sidewalks
FEE: none
RESTROOMS: none (recommend stopping on the way)
DOGS: Dogs are ok in accordance with the NVHC dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
LEADER: Kris N. (618) 623-248425 attendees
CCT — Oakmont to Vale Rd (Rating: C)
OAKMONT Rec Center, 3200 Jermantown Rd, Oakton, 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.
Description:
This is a 8½ mile hike along the CCT between Oakmont and Vale RD. Much of the hike follows Difficult Run and can be a bit muddy. There is 1 stream crossings with a total elevation gain/loss of about 300 ft. Bring water and a snack as we'll stop near Vale Rd to refuel.
Trailhead:
Park in the Oakmont Parking lot. GPS 38.8747, -77.3158
Dogs:
Permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Hiking speed: ~ 2.5 mph.
Maps:
pdf map (approximate route)
https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/018g6coEqCy7Pw0g780MQvQNQ#CCT_-_Oak_Marr_to_Vail_Rd
GaiaGPS map
https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=13.0/-77.3245/38.8892&pubLink=wel1FFO56RLd24GpVzMO2h0L&trackId=ec62340648505b906345685c9c742b27
Terrain: Some paved, mostly dirt trail, can be muddy after rain.30 attendees
Sky Meadows to Whiskey Hollow Shelter (Rating: A)
Sky Meadows, 11012 Edminds Ln,, DELAPLANE, VA, USYou must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, https://nvhc.com/sign... and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.
This hike is approximately 9.5 miles’ lollypop circuit with an elevation gain of approximately 1900 feet, featuring beautiful overlooks on Sky Meadows park and Whiskey Hollow shelter. If this your first A or A+ hike with described elevation and distance & if you have never participated in A or A+ with this group please ping me as soon as you sign-in.
Safety is paramount for all of us. Please wear proper winter weather gears, bring hiking poles, proper hiking shoes to enjoy the trails safely. Please bring minimum 2 liters of water. This hike is suitable for experienced, fit hikers who did similar one in past few months. If you have ANY question about your ability to complete this hike, please contact me.
Carpools: Hikers organize themselves. Please refer visitor center meetup point details in the description below. The leader will be at the Sky Meadows visitor center location.
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.
Need to know details:
Distance: ~9.5 miles
Elevation gain: ~1900 feet
Pace: 2 mph
Terrain: Steep/Flat
Park entry fee: $10.00 or free with REI purchase receipt
Carpool Fee: $0
Sky Meadows Visitor Center Coordinates: 38.991750, -77.965850
Visitor Center meet up time: 8.30 a.m. ET.
Dogs permitted in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Bring: Adequate water, food/snacks, hat, layers, basic first aid kit, map, rain gear (depending), hiking poles, hiking shoe, water shoe, additional pair of socks/liner (to protect feet from water, if needed) and your big happy smile 😊.
Quiz: At lunch stop we can have 3 quizzes related to this hike and the correct answer wins the prize 😊 😊
Thanks: To the teams, individuals and volunteers who contributes to keep the trails safe, beautiful and updates the portals to keep the trail data up to date which helps fellow hikers.
¿Preguntas? Message or text me! Looking forward to this awesome hike,
Saran
(848) 248-055532 attendees
Past events
4654
