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
15
Prince William Forest Park (Rating: A)
University Blvd Park and Ride, 7201 New Stable Way, 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.
Hike Overview: This will be an 11-mile hike in Prince William Forest Park with 900 feet of elevation gain. I plan to hike at a moderate pace of about 2.0 – 2.5 but will modify the pace if the weather is hot and humid.
Route: We’ll go down the Laurel Trail Loop Trail from the parking lot, right onto the South Valley / North Valley Trail, right onto the Quantico Cascades Trail to the waterfalls and then on to the Mary Bird Branch Trail to pick up the High Meadows Trail. We continue down the High Meadows Trail and turn left onto the South Valley Trail to continue back to the Laurel Trail Loop where we take a right turn back to the starting point (parking lot).
Park Entrance Fee: This is a National Park, and the Park entrance fee varies: it's free with a National Park pass. Please see https://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/fees.htm#pass__7
for fee schedule.Carpool Meetup location: The carpool location is in the commuter parking lot at GPS coordinates 38.801230, -77.591288 which is across from the new Sheetz convenience store / gas station located at 7201 New Stable Way, Gainesville, VA 20155.
Those wishing to carpool should be at the meetup location no later than 7:45 AM. Note: Hike leader will leave the lot at 8:00 AM.
It is about a 30-mile, 50 minute trip from the carpool location to the Prince William Forest Park trailhead depending on traffic. The hike leader will be at the carpool location in a gray Subaru Outback (Virginia license plate VTS-2219).
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.
Carpool Fee: The suggested carpool fee is $3.50.
Trailhead: The trailhead / hike starting location is at the Prince William Forest Park Pine Grove parking lot at GPS Coordinates: 38.560788, -77.349690
Meetup Time: For those meeting at the Pine Grove parking lot please be there no later that 9:00 AM.
Pets: Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with NVHC's dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy.
Leader: Jim Hollis (703-927-7189… please use text)
20 attendees
Reston Lakes and Woodlands (Rating: C)
Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Dr, Reston, 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 hike with beautiful lakes, wooded trails and even a snack/rest room break at a Starbucks. It is about an 8 mile hike with 423 feet of elevation gain around lakes and among the woodlands of Reston. We'll meet at the Walker Nature Center at 9:00 am and hike through the Glade Stream Valley and then along Lake Audubon and Lake Thoreau. The hike route is about 60% on paved paths with the remainder on dirt trails. Restrooms are available at the Walker Nature Center.
We hike at a pace of approximately 2.5 mph while moving. You must be experienced with hikes of this length and elevation gain.
Park on Glade Road so the Nature Center parking lot can be kept open for the Center's pre-school activities and drop-offs.
Dogs are welcome 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:
31 attendees
Riverbend Park, Great Falls Park, (Rating: B)
Riverbend Park Visitor's Center, 8700 Potomac Hills St, 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.
9 mile circuit hike with 600 feet of elevation gain.
A nice hike along the scenic Potomac River and adjoining forests of Riverbend Park and Great Falls Park.
Description:
We'll start our hike in Riverbend where we hike several trails and then join the Potomac Heritage trail where we will travel south to Great Falls. We'll stop at the Great Falls overlook(s) for some amazing views of the falls and then continue on the River Trail as it winds along Mather Gorge and some more great scenery. We will then connect to the Ridge Trail, Matildaville trail, back to Great Falls visitor center and begin our return to Riverbend. Lunch break about halfway through.Hike Pace:
Pace will be about 2.5 mph.Bring:
At least 2 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas/tree roots on the River Trail. Hiking poles if you normally use them. There are no stream crossings. Recommend insect repellent and sunscreen.Fee:
There is no entrance fee at Riverbend Park, but I will need to collect $2.00 from each hiker to cover the cost of group fees at Riverbend. Group fees are required for groups of 12 or more. I will get the group permit in advance. Small bills only please!Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Riverbend Park trail map:
Riverbend Park Trails
Great Falls Park trail map:
https://www.nps.gov/grfa/upload/GRFA-complete-map-508.pdfMeet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to get signed in and ready to hike at 9:00am.
Meeting Place Instructions: Riverbend Park, Great Falls, VA. We will meet at the lower parking lot, on the right, across from the Riverbend Visitor Center. Coordinates 39.01817, -77.24599
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
36 attendees
Burke Lake-Restorative Hike (Rating: D)
Burke Lake Entrance, 7201 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, Fairfax, 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.
Details:
This walk is intended for slower hikers, especially those who might be getting back into hiking or recovering from injuries or recent surgery. We will be doing a leisurely 5 mile loop walk (~ 2.5 MPH with little elevation gain) around Burke Lake. The path is mostly dirt with some roots. There are also a few areas paved. Faster hikers are welcome if they are ready for a leisurely walk. Please be sure you understand and are accepting of the slower pace.Please arrive by 8:45AM so we can begin promptly at 9:00 AM.
There are restrooms a short distance from the parking lot at the marina.
Bring water and a snack. We will regroup occasionally and likely stop near the heron rookery. I'm not sure if there is still activity there, but you may choose to bring binoculars just in case.DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the parking lot near the Marina. Enter the park at the Burke Lake Park Entrance on Ox Road (Route 123). If using a GPS to find the park, just key in "Burke Lake Park."
After entering the park, go straight following the signs to the Marina. It will be the big parking lot at the end of the road. Look for a Blue Acura with the hatch up as you enter the parking lot.
(GPS Coordinates: 38°45'36.2"N 77°18'09.0"W )
**Post-hike lunch at Brickmaker's Cafe (**9751 Ox Rd Lorton, VA 22079) for those interested.
20 attendees
Past events
4903
