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
Lake Anna State Park (Rating: C)
Lake Anna Visitor Center, Visitor Center, 6014 State Park Ln, Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA 22551, USA, Spotsylvania Courthouse, 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.
8.7 miles with 480 feet of elevation gain.
Lake Anna State Park is a beautiful park with over 15 miles of hiking trails. The land in Lake Anna State Park used to be known as "Gold Hill" and contained the Goodwin Gold Mine. Gold was first discovered in 1829, and mining peaked in the 1880s. Lake Anna State Park opened in 1983. Common sightings include bald eagles, ospreys, great blue herons, and egrets.
We'll combine several trails in the park to complete an 8.7-mile zig-zag loop. You'll get great views of the lake throughout the hike. Our route includes Glenora Trail, Big Woods Trail, Cedar Run Trail, Mill Pond Trail, Pigeon Run Trail, and finally the Sawtooth Trail. The hyperlink to the park is: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/lake-anna-custom-5a035ce?u=i&sh=pcotzb
Hiking Pace: Pace will be about 2.5 mph while moving.
Leader: Schenell Agee 540.207.7128 (C)
Restrooms are available at the Visitor Center, near where we begin our hike.
Recommendations:
Insect repellent, snack/lunch, adequate hydration/2 liters of water. Some sections may get muddy after heavy rain. I recommend sturdy hiking boots/shoes and poles if you normally use them.Park Entrance Fee:
$7.00/ per car -park entrance fee (no fee for state park pass holders) or use your REI purchase receipt parking coupon.
Provide your REI receipt parking coupon from a participating Virginia REI, to the contact station ranger or insert it in a self-pay envelope at the contact station.
Use the self-pay envelope to pay the entrance fee if the contact station is not open and hang the tear-off tab on your rear-view mirror.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
PETS - Pets are permitted at Lake Anna State Park in enclosed areas or on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Please clean up after your pet. Pets may not be left unattended at any time.Lake Anna State Park Trail Guide
Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early so everyone can sign in and get ready to hike at 9:00 am. The park is open daily, dawn to dusk; the gate opens at 5 am.
Meeting Place Instructions: Lake Anna State Park, 6800 Lawyers Rd., Spotsylvania, VA 22551; Phone: 540-854-5503. Access to the park via Lawyers Rd. to State Park Ln at the park entrance. Continue on State Park Ln and follow the signs to the Visitor Center. We will meet in the parking lot. Look for a Dark Brown Toyota Highlander. GPS 38.112307, -77.831581
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ahjbvdcjA25gic5FAAny questions, please message me here or text/call 540.207.7128. If you text me, please include your name.
8 attendees
Treefrog Fever Photo Hike (Rating: D)
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.
Visit the AMAZON in our own backyard! (Kind of.) Trek roughly two flat miles along the award-winning boardwalk at Neabsco Regional Park to photograph gobs of teensy green treefrogs with sticky feet (like their famous Amazonian cousins); handsome meadow katydids with Paul Newman eyes; bold butterflies and bees feasting on purple New York ironweed and yellow wildflowers; bodacious birds (eagles to egrets), North America's most toxic native plant, and much more. More than 200 relatively close-up treefrogs were visible on 8/22/25 -- but who knows if we'll hit the jackpot this year or find a dearth of these dear creatures. Cell phones to fancy-schmancy cameras with long lenses are welcome.
We’ll stop as much as we’ll move but we plan to complete the out-and-back along the roughly 3/4-mile boardwalk in about 3 hours. (You can sign out early on the NVHC sheet if you can’t stay that long.)
Hike leader is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, an award-winning nature photographer, and a green treefrog ADDICT.
TREEFROGS: What the heck is a green treefrog and how do you find them? Adults can reach 2.5 inches long but we will also see smaller ones and babies. Some look "skinny" but most look chunky. They have gold eyelids and some sport white and/or gold "racing stripes." They change color so they range from forest green to lime green to chartreuse, and even shades of brown in the autumn. PRIZES! Prize to anyone who finds an aberrantly BLUE treefrog! (A few were found there a couple years back, which helped spark a worldwide study by iNaturalist!) Prize also to anyone who counts the treefrogs for us. These treefrogs are experts at camouflage so part of the fun challenge is actually spotting them. Since these cutie-patooties hunt at night, most of them will be sleeping -- but sometimes they move around to get out of the sun.
https://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/amphibians/frogsandtoads/green-treefrog/index.php
MEET: 9 a.m. by the playground at the end of the parking lot.
NEABSCO REGIONAL PARK: 15125 Blackburn Rd., Woodbridge, VA 22191
Copy these GPS coordinates into Google Maps: 38.615513, -77.274805
https://www.pwcva.gov/department/neabsco-regional-parkIMPORTANT NOTES: Adults only and no pets. No tripods because they block the public boardwalk and block your fellow photographers. Please don’t attend if you’re sick. Porta-potty at start but none along boardwalk.
BRING/WEAR: Sense of humor, sense of awe, water, camera, extra battery, and memory cards. OPTIONAL: binoculars, bug spray, and sunblock.
ABERRANTLY BLUE FROGS (started because of the discovery at Neabsco!): https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/aberrantly-blue-frogs
HERE'S MY STORY ON THE BLUE FROGS AND THE WASHINGTON POST'S AND NPR'S STORIES.
WASHINGTON POST
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2026/08/24/rare-blue-tree-frog-is-drawing-loads-spectators-virginia-park/ARMN (VIRGINIA MASTER NATURALISTS):
https://armn.org/2026/08/23/wheres-waldo-find-kitten-cute-treefrogs-for-fun-and-science/iNat ABERRANTLY BLUE FROGS PROJECT:
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/aberrantly-blue-frogs11 attendees
Aug-Oct Birthdays at Occoquan (Rating: C/D Fun)
Occoquan Regional Park, 9751 Ox Road, Occoquan, 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.
If you have a birthday in August, September, or October please also note the date when you answer "I Accept" for the liability disclaimer. BD hikers will be recognized at the hike start
This event was very popular last year, in part because of the great BD cakes Bob brought. Bob & Teresa are recovering from various surgeries. So, we are offering this year's event as a fun D hike, but have added Steve W as a co-leader for a C version of the hike. The hike will be followed by a BD celebration for those born in August, September or October. Others are also invited to join both the hike and BD celebration.
D Fun Hike - Pace 2-2.5 - Anywhere from 4-6 miles either entirely on pavement with little elevation or on a mix of pavement and wooded trails with 400 feet elevation.
C Hike - Pace 2.5-3 - Almost 7 miles with 633 feet elevation.In Occoquan Park we'll go past the Suffragist Memorial and beehive brick kiln, used by prisoners to make bricks for the Occoquan Workhouse/Lorton Reformatory and many other buildings around DC & Northern VA. Some of the hikes will also visit the grounds of the Workhouse.
Restrooms: At hike start
Entrance fee: None
Dogs: Please leave dogs home today.Optional post-hike lunch and birthday celebration (finish time assumes you stay for the BD celebration).
Also, after the hike/lunch you may want to explore the Suffragist's Memorial, the art exhibits at the Workhouse or visit the Lucy Burns Museum.
Leaders: Bob G 301-775-3558; Teresa B 703-728-7635; Steve W 202-528-0456
How to get there: From I-95 South, exit 160A Gordon Blvd/VA 123 towards Occoquan. Proceed 1.3 miles to the light at Occoquan Regional Park. Take a right at the light into the Park and proceed to the first large lot on the left, across from Brickmaker's Cafe.
GPS Coordinates: 38.681733,-77.2528157
Google map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3SWmLJj1AAxZ3FXE6Please arrive by 8:45 am so we can get everyone checked in and leave promptly at 9:00.
30 attendees
Rock Creek Park NORTH (Rating: C)
Rock Creek Park Nature Center, 5200 Glover Road 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.
7 mile loop with a 679 ft. elevation gain that makes the hike the equivalent to a bit over 8.5 miles. (400 ft gain = 1 mile)
Due to Permit Restrictions Attendance is Limited to 20 PEOPLE
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.This hike starts from the Rock Creek Park Nature Center. We cross Military Road heading north along the Western Ridge Trail, over the Boundary bridge and then south following the creek to the Valley Trail, and then back to the Nature Center.
Pace: pace is about 2 - 2.5 mph while moving.
Bring: adequate water/hydration, also snack/lunch, insect repellant as Tick Season is here and sturdy hiking shoes since there are rocky areas, tree roots and a stream crossing,
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
Weather: weather in this location is HERE.
Meetup Location:
PLENTY or PARKING
We will meet in the parking lot of the Rock Creek Park Nature Center & Planetarium at
5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington, DC 20015.GPS Coordinates : 38°57'34.1"N 77°03'05.6"W
20 attendees
Past events
4979
