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
Scenic Urban Loop and Cherry Blossoms (Rating: C)
Columbia Island Marina, George Washington Memorial Parkway, 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.
Let's go check out the cherry blossoms.
9-mile loop with 200 feet elevation gain.
Description:
From Columbia Island Marina, within Lady Byrd Johnson Park, we will connect to the Mount Vernon trail and hike to the Arlington Memorial Bridge. We'll cross over into DC and complete a loop around the tidal basin where the cherry blossoms should be in bloom. 🌸After that we'll make a stop at the Lincoln Memorial and then on to the Kennedy Center to admire the view from the observation deck. We will then head back to Arlington Memorial Bridge and reconnect to the Mt Vernon trail returning to our starting point.
Pace: 2.5 mph
Bring: Adequate hydration, also snack/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes.
Dogs: Dogs will not be allowed on this hike.
We'll meet in the parking lot of the Columbia Island Marina, GW Parkway, Arlington, VA. GPS 38.87544, -77.04896
NOTE:
The hike starts at 9:00am, please arrive a few minutes early so we can get folks signed in and ready to hike on time. Restrooms are available at the marina and several locations along the way.Rehydration: Yes, TBD
Any questions please contact me at 202-528-0456. If you text, please include your name.
45 attendees
Cherry Blossoms in Bethesda, MD (Rating: D)
Metro-Bethesda, 7450 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD, 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 Number"
Example: "I accept/Jane Doe/703-555-5555/301-666-6666"This is a trial process and is not available on all hikes.
Length: 5 mi. Elevation: Negligible. Pace: 2.0 miles per hour
** Not suitable for fast paced hikers **
DESCRIPTION
This "hike" features a leisurely stroll through the Kenwood neighborhood, and its beautiful Cherry Blossoms. It will be followed by optional lunch in downtown Bethesda, MD.We will meet at the entrance to Bethesda Metro on Wisconsin Avenue and make our way to the start of the Capital Crescent Trail. We will take this trail to River Road where we will switch over to sidewalks and explore the Kenwood neighborhood. We will then make our way back to Bethesda using the CC trail. Lunch will then follow; place to be determined. Everyone pays for their meal.
PARKING:
Garages nearby; streetside is an option. Parking is free on Sundays.DOGS:
DOGS permitted per Club policy.21 attendees
Harpers Ferry Hike and Bushwhack (Rating: B)
One Loudoun Park and Ride, 20360 Savin Hill Dr, One Loudoun, 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 hike in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, with 1000’ elevation gain including about 2.5 miles of bushwhacking. We will begin at the Harpers Ferry train station. We will hike a loop thru town and then across the Potomac River on the Goodlow Bryon Memorial footbridge. Taking a left we will hike a couple of miles along the C&O canal before beginning the bushwhack to explore prominent sites including a hand-dug iron pit, various structures and up a road that hauled supplies to a Civil War fort (Fort Duncan). Long pants and tick spray recommended. We hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph when moving.
Bushwhacking involves walking off trail with potential obstacles such as downed trees, brush, sticker bushes, rocks, mud, stream crossings and steep uphills and downhills. Only RSVP if you are up for this adventure.
Due to the nature of bushwhacks attendance will be limited.
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 (C)
Carpools: Arrive at the One Loudoun Park and Ride at 7:45am, carpools leave at 8:00am GPS Coordinates: 39.054674, -77.459302, https://maps.app.goo.gl/dyK5ptbQGR7hAMV59 . Suggested carpool fee is $4. Meet at the dead-end spur part of the lot. Look carefully at GPS location in the lot. The leader will be at the carpool location. Driving time to the trailhead from the carpool location ~1 hour.
If you are going to the trailhead, meet at the Harpers Ferry Train Station at 9:00am hike starts at 9:15am, GPS coordinates: 39.324540, -77.731047
https://goo.gl/maps/yLmDLB9cx44Bkr4z7Neither 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.
Parking Fee at Train Station: $20 (The only way to pay is scan the QR code on your phone) or free with National Park pass. If you have a pass please display it with signature side up on your vehicle's dashboard, where it can clearly be seen through the windshield.
No dogs are permitted on this hike.
AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/harper-s-ferry-bushwack-60bb806?u=i
****You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain. ****
30 attendees
River Bend Park - Potomac Heritage Trail (Rating: C)
River Bend Nature Center, 8700-8814 Jeffery Rd, Great Falls, 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 7.8 mile hike along the Potomac River, with 300’ elevation gain. We will begin at the River Bend Nature Center on Jeffery Road and hike down to the Potomac Heritage Trail where the hike follows the Potomac up river.
Hike Rating: C-Moderate 7.8 mi + 300/400ft/mi = 8.5 equiv mi (C-hikes are between 7-10 equiv. miles)
Leader: Harvey
Meet at 9:00am at the parking lot in front of the Nature Center. This is not the usual parking lot in Riverbend. Instead continue on Jeffery Road past the normal park entrance until the road bends right and then left and ends in a parking lot. GPS Coordinates: 39.0220, -77.2507
Fee: $3
Because this event originates at Riverbend Park please bring $3 to contribute to a $30 group fee for events held at the park. I will have a bucket for contributions and cannot guarantee change so please bring small bills. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend/hours (any extra will be donated to the park)Maps for the hike:
https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/0HUAtKhXPvx2_p9Svd8OCAZ9Q#River_Bend_Park_-_Potomac_Heritage_Trail
GaiaGPS map:
https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=13.8/-77.2578/39.0290&pubLink=fqDM6B3xCVxc3kTBimld0a4G&trackId=0893e039-f597-4317-9e22-c728a3b00801
gpx file for import into your favorite mapping program:36 attendees
Past events
4739
