About us
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
26
McLean to Arlington: Pimmit Run and Gulf Branch Trail - (Rating: C)
Mary Leven Butler Preserve, 38.9297, -77.1466, McLean, 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 7½ mile hike with 600' elevation gain. We will start at the parking lot of the Mary Leven Butler preserve, find our way to the Pimmit Run Trail and follow that to Chain Bridge. There we will take the Potomac Heritage Trail and then the Gulf Branch Trail to the Gulf Branch Nature Center where we will rest. Then through Glebe Road Park and a short piece along Glebe Road, back to the Pimmit Run Trail and then to the starting point.
The hike will have nice overlooks of the Little Pimmit Run, the Pimmit Run and the Potomac River and will pass nearby a few Civil War Forts (Marcy and Ethan Allen). The hike is relatively flat, on a rather narrow trail with many roots, a few stream crossings, and one short, steep climb which we will not descend on the way back. Poles may be useful.
The current weather forecast is good, temperatures up to the low 80F, mostly sunny, low chance of rain.
The parking lot at the starting point accommodates 12 cars. If it is full when you arrive, don’t park on Kirby Road, but in the Potomac Hills neighborhood, along Loch Raven Drive or Colleen Drive. No restrooms at the starting point; there is a porta potty at the rest stop.
Pace: 2½ mph when moving.
Leader: Willem Janssen, 202-280-4397
Rating: C
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Trailhead: We will start at the Mary Leven Butler Preserve parking lot on Kirby Road, McLean, GPS coordinates are: 38.929789, -77.146651. You may also find it in your navigator by inputting 1501 Kirby Road McLean.
Map for hike: mary-leven-butler-preserve-to-gulf-branch-nature-center-c75e10e-5337ddfc.pdf (alltrails.com)
23 attendees
Pinnacles Picnic area to Skyland (Rating: A)
Pinnacles Picnic Ground, Luray, VA 22835, USA, Luray, 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 9 mile hike with 2,057 feet elevation gain in the central section of Shenandoah National Park. We start at Pinnacles Picnic Area and take the AT south to Skyland. After lunch at Skyland we return via the Passamaquoddy Tr and AT north back to the cars.
Need to Know Information:
*Hike Starts: 9:00 AM (Please arrive a 15 minutes early to sign in)
*Distance: 9 miles
*Elevation: 2,057 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 Location: Pinnacles Picnic area 38.623573,-78.343581 https://maps.app.goo.gl/41D1BYTxDnFKLmgY6
*$30 park entrance fee. $0 with annual park 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 participants and they participate at their own risk.
*Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic
AllTrails map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/p-pinnacles-picnid-area-skyland-9b1ee1a
Leaders: Becky M. 703-229-9699 and David C. 571-643-389710 attendees
Big Schloss loop (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 hike in the GWNF is approximately 12.2 miles long and has an elevation gain of 2,400 feet give or take. The top of Big Schloss peak is an interesting rock formation with great views. Hikers must be physically fit and able to maintain an overall pace of 2.25 to 2.5 miles/hour when moving.
This hike is at the upper end of the "A" range. If you have not recently done an "A" hike or at least two "B" hikes, this hike is not for you. Please message the leader if you have any concerns about your ability to complete this hike.
Basics:
Distance: 12.3 miles
Elevation Gain: ~2400'
Rating: A (due to distance and elevation gain).
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
Carpool details:
Meeting place: Centreville Park and Ride (38.835996, -77.455574)
Meeting time: please be a few minutes early for departure at 7:00
Driving time to trailhead: 1 hour 30 minutes without stop
Carpooling is highly encouraged because parking is limited at the trailhead.
Suggested carpool fee (Riders pay drivers): $8
Directions from Centreville to the trailhead: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JpLNvGrRPdoQtpiX6
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 participation is at your own risk.
Trailhead details:
Location: Little Stony Creek Trailhead parking, GWNF 38.93340,-78.65435
Meeting time at trailhead: 8:45 am for a 9:00 am departure
Please let the group know (in the chat) if you plan to meet us at the trailhead..
Map of the hike (and more details): https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/west-virginia/big-schloss-loop
Hike starting time: 9:00 am
Please bring lunch, snack, 2 quarts of water, hat, bug spray, first aid kit, and proper footwear. Hiking poles advised. The trails may be wet and muddy in sections.
Alex Kennedy 703-310-865920 attendees
Antietam National Battlefield - Bloody Lane and Beyond (Rating: B)
Carderock Recreation Area, Potomac, MD, 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.
10 mile circuit hike with 700 feet of elevation gain.
Description:
Join us for the opportunity to better experience the rural landscape of one of America's best preserved battlefields by hiking a combination of some of Antietam's beautifully maintained trails. There are several rolling hills but they are short and spread out. This will be a nice workout without a lot of elevation gain.Antietam, was the scene of the deadliest one-day battle in American military history which included an horrific battle on what is now called Bloody Lane Trail.
Our trek will coincide with the 164th anniversary of the Antietam Battle and there should be some events to observe.
Carpools:
Meet at the Carderock Recreation Area (main picnic area parking lot) , GPS Coordinates: 38.97112, -77.19842 . The leader will be at the carpool location. Driving time to the trailhead from the carpool location is about 1 hour, 15 minutes. Plan on leaving the carpool location at 8:00am. Suggested carpool fee is $8.00Trailhead:
If you are going directly to the trailhead, meet at the Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center at 9:30am. GPS Coordinates: 39.474278, -77.744583
https://goo.gl/maps/z2N6nCSqT7G7nHXu8Neither 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.
Park Entry Fee: $20 per car. Free with National Park Pass. Military and veterans are also eligible to enter free by showing military/veteran ID.
https://themilitarywallet.com/military-free-admission-national-parks/
Show your pass at the Visitor Center desk.The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
There are restrooms at the Visitor Center, but nothing else beyond that. We will stop for lunch about halfway through the hike.
Bring:
At least 2 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are a few rocky areas and tree roots. Hiking poles if you use them. Insect repellent and sunscreen.Dogs are welcome. NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
NOTE:
If you going directly to the trailhead, the hike starts at 9:30am at Antietam Visitor Center. Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:30am.Post-hike rehydration: Potomac Ridge Brewing
Any questions, please message me on Meetup or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
43 attendees
Past events
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