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
30
Pinnacles Picnic Area to Stony Man Mountain and Back (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 is an approximate 9-mile hike in the Shenandoah National Park with around 2,000 feet elevation gain.
The hike begins at the Pinnacles Picnic Area, which is located at milepost 36.7 on Skyline Drive. From the picnic area, we'll follow the AT southbound for about 2.7 miles to the Passamaquoddy Trail. We'll then take the Passamaquoddy Trail and the Furnace Spring Trail to the Stony Man Parking Area. From the Stony Man Parking Area we'll head northbound along the AT until it intersects with the Stony Man Trail, which we'll follow to Stony Man Lookout for our lunch break about 5 miles into our hike.
After our lunch break enjoying the views from Stony Man Lookout, we will descend to the AT and then hike northbound along the AT back to the Pinnacles Picnic Area. The total round-trip distance is almost 9 miles, and the elevation gain is about 2,000 feet. It is important to be aware of the elevation gain and to be prepared for some strenuous sections of the trail.Details:
• Park Entrance Fee: The Park entrance fee is $30 per car or free with park pass.
• Carpool Fee: Suggested carpool fee is $10.00.Carpoolers should meet at the Centerville Park and Ride at GPS coordinates: 38.836080, -77.455327 in time to leave by 7:30 AM. 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.
NOTE: It is about a one hour and 20-minute drive from the Centerville Park and Ride to the Trailhead depending on traffic. The trail head is in the Pinnacles Picnic Area just past mile marker 36, 5.3 miles south of the Thornton Gap entrance (GPS coordinates: 38.623481, -78.343600). We will be at the south end of the parking lot. Please plan to be at the trailhead no later than 8:50 AM. We will depart soon after. There are restrooms in the picnic area.
AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/copy-stony-man-mountain-from-pinnacles-picnic-area-d2cd329
• Linear distance: 9 miles
• Elevation gain: about 2,000 Feet
• Pace: between 2.5 and 3.0 mph.
• Pets: Although dogs are allowed on the Appalachian Trail, dogs are not allowed on the Stony Man Trail so dogs will not be permitted on this hike.
Leader: Maryellen Trevisan 202-730-5314
7 attendees
Neabsco Creek Boardwalk to Leesylvania State Park (Rating: B)
Neabsco Regional Park, 15125 Blackburn Rd, Woodbridge, 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.
9.5 mile hike with 600 feet of elevation gain.
Join us as we hike from Neabsco Creek Boardwalk to Leesylvania State Park and back. Should be a scenic and enjoyable hike!
Description: We will start off at Neabsco Regional Park and make our way to the boardwalk and across the marsh at Neabsco Creek. This allows for unique access to wetlands where the tall grasses and marsh filter pollution from the river and provide a rich habitat for birds and other wildlife. Once across the boardwalk, we will hike a short distance through the Julie Metz Wetlands area and then enter Leesylvavnia State Park on the Potomac Heritage trail. We will hike several trails within the park which includes views of the Potomac River.
There are several rolling hills but they are short and spread out.You must be capable of hiking this distance and elevation.
The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
There are porta-johns at the parking area at Neabsco Regional Park as well as restrooms at Leesylvania State Park where we will break for lunch.
Bring: Sufficient water/hydration, insect repellent, snacks/lunch, and good hiking shoes. There are no stream crossings. Hiking poles if you normally use them.
Fee: There is no parking fee at Neabsco Regional Park parking lot.
Dogs are welcome. NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Please ensure your dog is capable of this distance.Meet: At the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:00am.
Leesylvania State Park: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/leesylvania
Neabsco Creek Boardwalk: https://www.visitpwc.com/listing/neabsco-creek-boardwalk/1648/
Meeting Place Instructions: We are meeting at Neabsco Regional Park parking lot at 15125 Blackburn Rd., Woodbridge, VA. Coordinates 38.61595,-77.27503
Optional rehydration at Stonebridge Town Center
Any questions, please message me on Meetup or text me @ 202-528-0456 If you text, please include your name.
37 attendees
Emerald Pond - Bird Knob (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.
11 miles with 2,400 feet elevation gain.
Description:
This hike will be in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests, where we will hike the Emerald Pond-Bird Knob circuit. We begin at the now closed old Massanutten Visitor Center at New Market Gap and then use the Massanutten South, Browns Hollow, Roaring Run, and Bird Knob trails to form the circuit. Emerald Pond, a small pond about midway through, provides a great spot for lunch and cooling off your feet. Bird Knob provides a great overlook vista to the west. There may be a couple of stream crossings depending on recent rains, some stone stepping involved.Hiking Pace:
The pace will be 2.5 mph, slower uphill.Bring:
At least 2-3 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots. Hiking poles if you use them. Recommend insect repellent and sunscreen.Note Difficulty:
Rating: A (difficult). You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain. There are some significant climbs.Fee:
There is no parking fee for this hike.Dogs:
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy. Please ensure your dog is capable of this distance and elevation gain.CARPOOLING:
For those who are looking to carpool, meet at and plan to leave at 7:15am to arrive at the trailhead in time to get signed in and start hiking at 9am. Centreville Park & Ride GPS 38.836038, -77.455371**.**
Neither the Club nor the hike leader is 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: $10.00 per rider. Driving time from Centreville Park & Ride to trailhead is about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Note: If you are driving directly to the trailhead, meet at the trailhead at 9:00 am at the old Massanutten Visitor Center (now closed) GPS Coordinates: 38.642621, -78.611218 https://goo.gl/maps/GFpkeLKNkshFMxv4A
Maps:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/emerald-pond-9cea886?u=i&sh=oxfau4
Any questions?
Message me on Meetup messenger or text me, 703-310-8659. If you text me, please include your name.33 attendees
Prince William Forest Park (Rating: B)
Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center, 18170 Park Entrance Rd, Triangle, 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.
8.5 mile circuit hike with 675 feet of elevation change.
Description: A scenic hike along the Quantico Creek and the adjoining forest. We will hike several trails including Laurel Loop, South Valley, North Valley, Taylor Farm Rd.
There are several rolling hills, but they are short and spread out. It will be a nice workout!The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
Info: There are restrooms at the Visitor Center area where we start as well as Turkey Run Education Center where we will stop for lunch.
Bring: At least 2 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are a few rocky areas and tree roots along the way. Hiking poles if you use them. Insect repellent. Most of our hike will be in the forest canopy.
Fee: The park entrance fee is $20 unless you have a National Park Pass. Military, veterans, and gold star family members are also eligible for free admission.
https://themilitarywallet.com/military-free-admission-national-parks/
Dogs are welcome. NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:00am.
Prince William Forest Park link: https://www.nps.gov/prwi/index.htm
If you haven't hiked with me before, please provide your full name, cell phone number and emergency contact number. You can text me the info or message me on Meetup Message, don't post it in the comments. You must be able to hike this distance, any questions regarding that please contact me.
Meeting Place Instructions:
We are meeting at the Pine Grove Picnic Area near the Visitor Center. There are two parking areas in an L shape - you can park in either area, but we will meet down near the playground.
Take the SECOND left after entering the park and continue straight ahead into the large lot. GPS Coordinates 38.55931, -77.34853Optional post-hike rehydration at Stonebridge Potomac Town Center.
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
42 attendees
Past events
5053
