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
18
Dickey Ridge to Visitors Center/Return (Rating: B)
Centreville Park and Ride, 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 hike.
This is an 8 mile out and back hike to the Dickey Ridge Visitors center with approximately 1,400 feet of elevation gain.
We are hiking from outside the Shenandoah National Park into the park to the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center and then back out. We are NOT meeting at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center.Speed: Our pace will vary from 2.0 to 2.5. The trail is well maintained with some short rocky areas.
Leader: Gail Markulin (703) 402-5902 (C)
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Trailhead Parking: Parking is on the side of the road by the trailhead and before the Front Royal Entrance Station. If you have gone to the park entrance, you have gone too far. The Dickey Ridge trailhead is right by the parking area. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Dickey+Ridge+Trailhead/@38.9062115,-78.19661,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x89b5c5e0b5d9c4f1:0xee10b295aebb171d!8m2!3d38.9062115!4d-78.19661!16s%2Fg%2F1tfj411p?entry=ttuMeet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to be signed in and get ready to hike at 9am.
Carpool Location: For those wishing to carpool, the suggested carpool location is at the Centreville Park & Ride, 14700 Lee Hwy in Centreville.
GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
The driving time from there to the trailhead is about 1 hour. Please arrive at the Park and Ride by 7:50 AM to form carpool so all cars can leave at 8:00AM. The leader will be at the Park & Ride.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.
Suggested carpool fee is $6.00.
Entry Fee: None
Map for hike: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ofxLeFFmHZ90xZKEleK_S6YaTbLx4OzO/view
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.Terrain: Well maintained trail with some rocky areas.
Recommended Equipment: Insect repellent, Hiking boots or shoes, snack/lunch, 2 liters water, hiking poles if you use them
20 attendees
Windy Run-Donaldson Run Out/Back (Rate: C)
Windy Run Park, 2420 N Kenmore St, Arlington, 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.
7.0 mile (approx.) out-back hike with +/- 350 feet of elevation gain.
There is a lot of maneuvering along this trail: several stream crossings, rock scrambles, need to navigate over trunks.
You must be experienced in hikes of this level of challenge, distance, pace and elevation gain.Description:
This fun hike starts from Windy Run Park which descends to the Potomac Heritage Trail overlooking the Potomac River.This is a “rugged” hiking trail with beautiful waterfalls and amazing views but it features steep, rock scrambles and is muddy after rain.
Donaldson Run is 1.3 miles down the trail; both offer the ability to exit the trail to local neighborhoods situated near the Scenic Potomac Overlook Regional Park.
We will exit the PHT and follow Donaldson Run in direction of the Nature Center in the Potomac Overlook Park and then return to Donaldson Run to follow the PHT back to Windy Run.
PACE: Pace will be about 2 to 2.5 mph.
BRING: Adequate water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are stream crossings, rocky areas/tree roots. Hiking poles if you normally use them.
FEE: None
DOGS: dogs are NOT welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
MEET: Windy Run Park, 2420 N Kenmore Street, Arlington, VA. 22207. Continue to the dead end and park.
Coordinates: 38.9031672°N, -77.0985895°W
Windy Run Park LINKCONTACT: Any questions, please message me here or text me at 703 533 9231 Dawn K.
20 attendees
Jeremys Run/Knob Mountain (Rating: A)
Gainesville Park and Ride Lot - University Boulevard, 7250 New Stable Wy, Gainesville, VA 20155, Gainesville, 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 12 mile challenging circuit hike with an elevation gain of 2500 feet in the northern section of Shenandoah National Park. Jeremys Run is one of the most beautiful streams in this section. The trail crosses the stream 16 times in a 5 mile section; so be prepared. We will begin at the Elkwallow Picnic area parking. From there we will take the Appalachian trail, Jeremy's Run trail, Knob Mountain Cutoff trail, Knob Mountain trail and then return on Jeremys Run trail with all the stream crossings. We hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0 when moving.
You may want to bring water shoes if you have them. If Jeremy's Run is running high, crossing it without getting your feet wet may be difficult or impossible. Also bring lunch, at least 2 quarts/liters of water, hat, and sun screen.
Leader: Edward Schaefer 703-850-3251 (C)
Rating: A
Carpools: Meet at the Gainesville Park and (across from Sheetz) at 7:00am. Suggested carpool fee is $8. The leader will be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.801179, -77.590160. https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
Driving time to trailhead from carpool location: 1 hour 30 minutes.
Meet at the trailhead @ 8:30am. GPS Coordinates: 38.74096, -78.31204 Turn in at the Elk Wallow Picnic Area and proceed all the way to the back. Park near the outhouse. https://maps.app.goo.gl/bc78Qnn2xndFfQbX7Neither 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.
Summary:
Hiking distance: 12 miles
Elevation Gain: 2500'
Rating: A (but is almost A+)
Park Entry Fee: $30 (free with National Park pass).
Suggested Carpool fee: $10
Dogs not permitted on this hike.Alltrails map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/virginia/jeremys-run-trail?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map
You must have recent experience doing hikes of comparable distance and elevation gain.
13 attendees
Past events
4920
