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
17
Canoe Trip - Shenandoah River (Rating: C)
Centreville Park & Ride Lot, 14700 Lee Highway, 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 trip.
This is a 12 mile canoe trip on the beautiful South Fork of Shenandoah River which is 10 miles south of Front Royal. During the trip we will eat lunch and swim. We will have 2 people per canoe. We will ride a bus to the start point and end up at the outfitter. Downriver Canoe Company
May be reduced to 7.5 miles or canceled because of low or high water levels.
Cost is $47/person and will be paid to the leader by check or cash the day of the trip. No experience necessary. We pair up people for those that do not have a partner. If there are an odd number of people we will have to put three in one of the canoes.
As we are trying to maximize participation by our members no guests on this trip.
No dogs permitted.
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
Please wear appropriate clothing for the trip, sun screen protection and bring food, snacks and drinks. Assume that anything you bring in the canoe will get wet or lost. We will be on the river approximately 4-5 hours (depending on the water level). Bring a change of clothes for after the trip and also wear closed toes (this is mandatory) for the water as the river bottom is rocky and slippery.
RSVP's are required by August 29. If you cancel after that you may be liable for the cost of the trip.
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 (C)
Carpools: Plan to arrive at the Centreville Park and Ride at 7:45an carpools leave at 8:00am. Suggested carpool fee is $8. **The leader will be at the carpool location.** GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
Driving time time from carpool location to canoe outfitter - 1 hour
If you are meeting at the outfitter go to Downriver Canoe Company by 9;00am, GPS coordinates: 38.838673, -78.329607 https://maps.app.goo.gl/L6BcLqNFQdKb2DCS6. The gate may not open until 9am.
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.
You will be required to fill out the release form online prior to attending. https://www.downriver.com/reserve-now/release-form/
19 attendees
Occoquan Regional Park to Lorton Workhouse (Rating: C)
Occoquan Regional Park, 9751 Ox Road, Occoquan, 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.
7.5 miles 500 feet elevation gain
Description:
Occoquan Regional Park offers paved and unpaved hiking trails that wind through forests and offer scenic views of the Occoquan River. Highlights of the park include the Turning Point Suffrage Memorial as well as the Beehive Brick Kiln.From Occoquan Park, we will hike to the Lorton Workhouse which was the site of the original Lorton Prison, officially known as the Lorton Reformatory and later the Lorton Correctional Complex, closed in 2001. It was the last of seven prisons in the Lorton complex to close as part of a plan to revitalize the District of Columbia. The facility had been in operation since 1910. We'll hike a few trails there before returning to Occoquan Park.
Info:
There are restrooms at the start of the hike as well as halfway through where we will stop for lunch/snack break.Bring:
Plenty of water/hydration. Recommend comfortable walking/hiking shoes. Lunch/snacks.Fee:
There are no fees to enter and park.Dogs:
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyPlease arrive by 8:45am so that we can get everyone checked in and start on time.
Optional post-hike rehydration at Brickmakers Cafe.
How to get there:
Physical Address: 9751 Ox Road, Lorton, VA 22079
From I-95 take exit 160 and go north on SR 123 for 1.6 miles to the park entrance on the right, just after the bridge. Park in the parking lot adjacent to the Turning Point Suffrage Memorial. I'll be in a white SUV with the rear hatch open. Please arrive by 8:45 am so we can get everyone checked in and ready to hike.
GPS 38.68188, -77.25269Occoquan Regional Park
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/occoquan-regional-parkLorton Workhouse
https://www.workhousearts.org/Any questions, please message me on Meetup or text /call @ 202-528-0456. If you text, please include your name.
28 attendees
Fort Marcy to Georgetown Waterfront (Rating: C)
Fort Marcy Park, GW Parkway, 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.
9 mile Out-Back with 150 ft. of elevation
Join us for Lunch on the Georgetown Waterfront! It is a scenic and very enjoyable out-back hike from Fort Marcy to Georgetown Waterfront.
DESCRIPTION:
From Fort Marcy we will walk down along Pimmit Run to Chain Bridge towards the C&O Towpath.We will follow the towpath to Fletcher’s Boathouse on our way to the Georgetown Waterfront where we will enjoy lunch overlooking the beautiful Potomac River.
Feel free to Pack your own Lunch or Order Take-Out in Advance from for example Guapo’s, Riverside Grill or Boccelli’s.
After lunch we will head back to Fort Marcy along the Towpath.
Facilities: Fletcher’s Boathouse, Waterfront
Bring: adequate hydration, sturdy shoes, poles if you use them, snack/lunch, insect repellant.
Pace: We hike at a pace of 2.0 to 2.5 mph while moving.
Dogs: No dogs on this hike per [NVHC Dog Policy]
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
Where to Meet:
We will meet at Fort Marcy, northbound off of the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
There is plenty of parking. I have a White Honda HRV, the hatchback will be up.Please arrive by 9 am to allow time for signing in. We'll start hiking at 9:30am.
GPS Coord: 38.934372, -77.125561
FORT MARCY LINKLeader: Dawn please message me here or text to 703 533 9231
20 attendees
Cape Henlopen State Park (Rating: C)
Forest Glen metro station, Kiss and Ride lot, 2200 Forest Glen Rd, Forest Glen, DC, 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 numberExample: "I accept. Jane Doe, (703)555-5555, (301)666-6666."
This is a trial process and is not available on all hikes.
LENGTH: 7 mi. ELEVATION: Negligible. PACE: 2-2.5 mi/hr.
DESCRIPTION
This may be your last chance to get your beach fix for this season. We will drive to Cape Henlopen, DE and hike their Beach Trail (5 miles). Attractions include views of Lewes harbor, the ships, shore birds, Delaware Bay, and of course, the Atlantic Ocean. We will then have lunch at a restaurant (optional; you can bring your own also) in Lewes, DE. We will then make the obligatory stop at Rehoboth Beach and walk their boardwalk (2-3 miles), stopping for ice cream/French fries, before driving back 2.5 hours to Forest Glen. Optionally you can get in the ocean for a swim either at the state park or at Rehoboth Beach. The leader is not familiar with the trails in the park so be prepared to get lost.CARPOOLS
Participants can form their own carpools at the meeting place. Neither the Club nor the leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride from the carpool location. Carpooling is organized by the participants, and they participate at their own risk. Leader plans to be at the meeting place.PARK ENTRY FEE
$20 per car ($10 if you have Delaware plates).DOGS
Permitted per NVHC pet policy.4 attendees
Past events
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