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
35
Seneca Regional Park Potomac Heritage Trail (Rating: C)
Seneca Regional Park, 101 Seneca 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 an enjoyable ~ 7.3 mile hike with ~780 feet of elevation gain.
We'll start by hiking through a full growth hardwood forest of Elm, Ash Trees, and Tulip Poplars, the tallest deciduous tree in North America. We'll then connect to the Potomac Heritage Trail with its wildflowers and massive Sycamore trees. The hike is a loop. Part of the hike will be along the Patowmack Channel created by a series of islands in the river.We'll take our break on a sandy beach.
Thanks to Bob G for the photo.We hike at a pace of 2.3 to 2.5 mph while moving. You must have experience with hikes of this length and elevation gain.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic
Leader: Steve Frith cell 703-629-0174
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
Map for hike:
https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=15.0/-77.3190/39.0474&pubLink=obOQ48o079O4P48KYoJBIMa9&trackId=b81b5829-efdf-4bad-bb66-9e9de4a74efd
29 attendees
Meadowood Recreation Management Area (Rating: C)
Meadowood Mountain Bike Trail Parking, 10110 Gunston Rd, Lorton, VA 22079, USA, Lorton, 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.
Distance: about 7.25 miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Hike pace: about 2.5 - 3.0 mph
Restrooms: Port-a-potty in parking lot
Entrance fee: NoneWe'll hike through rolling hills on forested land and unpaved trails managed by the Department of the Interior. Meet at the Mason Neck Gateway parking lot (also known as the Mountain Bike Parking lot) on Gunston Road next to Gunston Elementary School. This is a relatively little-used gem for hiking in the well-preserved Mason Neck area. We will hike the South Branch trail, a short part of this trail is shared with mountain bikers. We then cross over Belmont Blvd and pick up the Meadowood Connector trail to the Wood Thrush Loop to Hidden Pond and retrace our steps back to the parking lot.
Please arrive around 8:50 to sign in with the leader.
Chip 703-798-3516
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy20 attendees
Wakefield Park To Lake Accotink (Rating: D)
Wakefield Park Softball Field #8, Annandale, 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.
We are starting at 9:30. Please bring enough water. There will be a break about half way with bathrooms and water. This is a relatively flat five-mile circular hike, elevation gain is minimal. Hiking pace while moving is about 2.7 miles an hour. Part of the trail is paved. Sneakers or hiking boots; can be some mud on the trail. In addition to water, bring a snack if you like. Please note the 9:30 a.m. start time and arrive early to sign in. The group may decide to go get a bite to eat at the Swiss Bakery nearby after the hike.
Thank you,
Dotty Smith 703-439-8670
Anita DeAngelis 507-990-6055No dogs permitted on this hike.
DETAILS/DIRECTIONS: Drive off of Braddock Road into Wakefield Park, after a service road on the left, take the next left into a parking lot. We will start near the first ballfield. Restrooms are slightly further into this parking lot. There also are restrooms 1/4 mile further down the park road at the Audrey Moore Recreation Center.
GPS Coordinates: 38.814247, -77.224871
24 attendees
619 to Shawl Gap via Buzzard Rock (Rating: B)
Centreville Park & Ride Lot, 14700 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA, USREQUIRED: You 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.
The hike will be 8 miles with approximately 1,800' elevation gain. We'll hike up to Buzzard Rock, then on to Shawl Gap where we'll do a short loop on the Shawl Gap Trail. We'll retrace our steps, stopping for lunch at an overlook before continuing on to the parking lot. We'll hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph when moving. Trail is very rocky and requires a bit of scrambling in some spots.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Leader: Maryellen Trevisan 202-730-5314
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park & Ride. The driving time from there to the trailhead is about 1 hour. Please arrive by 7:30am to form carpools so all cars can leave by 7:45am. Suggested carpool fee is $8.
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.
Trailhead: Buzzard Rock Parking Area
GPS Coordinates: 38.937583, -78.288444
https://goo.gl/maps/GX9B7n5pdyDcYrtM7
Arrive by 8:45am to sign in. Hike begins at 9am. Parking at trailhead is limited.Park Entry Fee: $0
Rating: B
Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/buzzard-rock-with-loop-5a37f78
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain.
11 attendees
Past events
4998
