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
22
Gambrill with Mountain Laurels (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.
Come join me on this lovely 9.3 mile hike in Gambrill State Park, Frederick, MD that starts at 9:00 a.m. Last year, the mountain laurels were blooming at this time, so fingers crossed! We will get to enjoy two beautiful overlooks and climb our way up and down through 1,742 feet of elevation, including two sustained climbs in the second half of the hike.
We will hike at an average moving pace of about 2.5 miles per hour and stop at all intersections. We will also have a lunch break in a shady location on a small rock formation about six miles in.
There are restroom facilities at the trailhead. Please note, if you arrive before 8:00 a.m. the gates to the parking lot may not be open, so you may need to wait. The park fee is $3 for Maryland residents, $5 for out-of-state. There is no attendant, so please bring cash. The pay station is a small box next to the stop sign as you enter the parking lot.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy. If you plan to bring a dog on this hike, please contact me about the dog’s prior hiking experience with NVHC.
Carpools: Meet at Centreville Park and Ride at 7:15. Suggested carpool fee is $6.00 per rider. The hike leader will not be at the carpool location and will meet the group at the trailhead. GPS coordinates for Centreville Park and Ride: 38.836080, -77.455327.
https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18Trailhead: Meet at Gambrill State Park at 8:45 in the upper parking lot: Go past the first entrance with the Gambrill State Park sign and continue to the top of Gambrill Park Road to the High Knob Scenic Area and take a left. GPS coordinates: 39.4629, -77.4953.
https://goo.gl/maps/urVT88VRqi8rgRby9Leader: Becky Reickel 301-471-3641
Park Fee: Maryland residents $3/vehicle; out-of-state residents $5/vehicle
Rating: A
Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-hike-at-gambrill-yellow-black-red-a1c3ae6?p=-1&sh=zg5qvz
21 attendees
Hike & Kayak at Fountainhead (Rating: Fun)
Fountainhead Regional Park, 10875 Hampton Rd, Fairfax Station, 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.
FIRST TIME PADDLERS WELCOME! Join me for a short 3-4 mile out & back hike on the Bull Run Occoquan Trail, followed by a one hour paddle on the Occoquan River. Fountainhead Regional Park rentals are available at the following rates: $18 single kayak per hour, $23 double kayak per hour or $23 paddle board per hour, includes life jacket. There's a 25% senior discount for 55+. I verified this with the staff as it's listed on the website, although some new hires may not be aware of this. Water shoes/water sandals (no flip flops) are recommended. I also recommend a dry bag for your valuables. They do not have lockers.
Please note that the group size is due to a limited number of rentals and small staff. There are only two staff members on duty weekdays, one taking payment at the rental office and the other on the dock pulling off kayaks. I plan to lead another hike and kayak combo, next time at Occoquan Regional Park.
Feel free to bring your own kayak or stand-up paddle board. There is a small launch fee of $7, or you can use your annual NOVA Parks Launch Pass.
If anyone has their own kayak or paddleboard, please send me a direct message ahead of time so I have an accurate rental count.For those who are interested after the hike, we'll meet for lunch at either Main St Pub or Trattoria Villagio in Clifton, or Squisito Pizza and Pasta in Lorton.
MEET: 8:15 am at Fountainhead Regional Park. We'll get everyone signed in and start hiking promptly at 8:30am.
HIKE PACE: 2.5-3mph
PADDLE: The Marina is a short drive from the trailhead. I plan to finish our hike and be at the marina around 10:15am so we can get on the water by 10:45. It will take awhile to rent and launch 10+ boats. Please have a credit card and ID.
LEADER: Kris N. (618) 623-2484
PARK ENTRY FEE: $0
RESTROOMS: There are portable restrooms at the trailhead, and full restrooms at the marina.
DOGS: No dogs please, unless you own your own kayak or paddleboard.23 attendees
Rock Creek Park South (Rating: C)
Rock Creek Park Nature Center, 5200 Glover Rd., NW, Washington, DC, 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.
5.6 mile loop with a 685 ft. elevation gain that makes the hike the equivalent to a bit over 7 miles. (400ft gain = 1 mile)
** This hike is limited to 20 participants per park no permit regulations.**
Description: Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation's capital. This 1,754 acre city park was officially authorized in 1890, making it the third national park.
It offers visitors the opportunity to escape the bustle of the city and find a peaceful refuge, recreation, fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals.
Military Road divides the park into North and South.
This hike starts from the Rock Creek Park Nature Center (closed Mon/Tues) and heads east and then south following the creek to the Valley Trail, the Rock Creek Trail and finally to the Western Ridge Trail
through Pierce Mill and then back to the Nature Center. This month we will do the hike in the reverse order.Pace: pace is about 2.-2.7 mph while moving.
Bring: adequate water/hydration, also snack/lunch, insect repellant and sturdy hiking shoes since there are rocky areas, tree roots.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
Weather: weather in this location is HERE.
Meetup Location: we will meet in the parking lot of the Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium (Closed Monday and Tuesdays) at
5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington, DC 20015 GPS Coordinates : 38°57'34.1"N 77°03'05.6"W.
LINK
Please arrive by 9:45 am to get signed in in time to start the hike at 10 am.Rock Creek Park
Map of Hike
Hiking in Rock Creek Park
Map of Rock Creek ParkQuestions: feel free to text/call me, Dawn, at 703 533 9231
20 attendees
Dark Hollow Falls from the Bottom (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 A+ hike due to distance and elevation. PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE POST BEFORE RSVPING.
PLEASE NOTE: **** This hike is only suitable for those who have recent experience hiking this distance and elevation gain. If I don’t know you, you MUST message me within 24 hours of signing up with a recent A+ hike you have done or a hike leader who can vouch for you. Otherwise, you will be moved to “Not Going”. *** There are 2 stream crossings, one potentially tricky depending on the water level, but towards the end of the hike. Shoe covers are advised given all the rain we've had and what's expected this week.
************* THE GOOD STUFF **************************
Join me on a different version of a hike to get to Dark Hollow Falls, from the bottom, which will give you about 13 miles and about 2,200 feet of elevation gain. This is a pretty easy A+ hike on a very scenic and untraveled route until we get to the falls. If you’ve never done an A+ hike, this would be a good one to try. There is one potetnially tricky stream crossing , but the entire hike is really pretty and hopefully, the falls should be flowing with water.
We will start the hike from the very end of Old Blue Ridge Turnpike (Route 670), which ends in a cul-de-sac with very limited parking. I'm therefore limiting the number of people on the hike. We’ll head up the Rose River Fire Road, which is more of a trail than a fire road, all the way to lower Dark Hollow Falls. We’ll then head back down that fire road to the Stony Mountain Trail to the Rapidan Fire Road to the Upper Dark Hollow Trail and back to the Rose River Fire Road to the cars. There’s a nice area to stop and get our feet wet before we get to the cars.
*For those wishing to CARPOOL, the suggested carpool location is at the Centreville Park and Ride, 14700 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA. The driving time from there to the trailhead is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes (with no stop). Please arrive at the Park and Ride before 6:30 AM to form carpools so all cars can leave by 6:30 AM. I WILL BE MEETING EVERYONE AT THE TRAILHEAD.
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 participation is at your own risk. Suggested carpool fee: $9.00 per rider.
Need-to-know info:
- CARPOOLING: See above. Parking is limited so carpooling is advised.
- Parking lot trailhead coordinates: 38.51434,-78.36591
- Park entry fee: $0 – this hike starts outside the park
- Trailhead meetup time: NLT 8:15. Hike starts: 8:30 A.M SHARP
- Pace: 2.25 – 2.75 when moving. We will take short breaks at intersections and a regular lunch break.
- Distance: 13ish miles
- Elevation: About 2,200 feet
- Terrain: Some steep areas and some slightly rocky areas.
- Bring: Lunch/snacks, adequate hydration, electrolytes, rain gear/sunglasses/hat depending on the forecast; basic first aid kit, sunscreen, tick spray, and a great attitude.
- No complainers allowed! :-)
AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-hike-41ccc97-437
PLEASE PRINT OUT ANY MAPS THAT YOU MAY NEED AS I DO NOT PROVIDE COPIES OF MAPS. ALL THE LINKS AND COORDINATES YOU WILL NEED HAVE BEEN PROVIDED.
AND FINALLY!
- Avoid the most severe, unspeakable bad karma by CHANGING YOUR RSVP if you're not able to attend within a reasonable time
Any questions? Message or call the Hike Leader:
Susan M (703) 963-893914 attendees
Past events
4826
