Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC)

4.9•27373 ratings

Mc Lean, VA, US

2,434 members · Public group

What we’re about

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

See all

5 seats left
Fri, Dec 5 · 9:30 AM EST
Memorial to Paul Fermoile (Those who knew Paul only please) MNBP Hike (Rating:D)
Manassas National Battlefield Park Visitor Center, 6511 Sudley Rd, Manassas, VA, US
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.

Join us in celebrating the life of our NVHC hike leader and friend, Paul Fermoile. He especially enjoyed leading hikes at Manassas National Battlefield Park. We will do a flat 5 miles around the battlefield with views of the historic old Stone Bridge. Pace will be about 2.5 mph. Lunch following at CraftWorx Taproom, 5615 Wellington Rd. Gainesville. We can raise a glass to Paul and share stories. Please note that RSVP's will open at 7am on Thursday, Nov. 20.

Leaders: Kris N. (618) 623-2484, Teresa B. and Dane

Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy

Meet at 9:30am at the Manassas National Battlefield Park Visitor Center. Restrooms are available.

No entrance fees
20 attendees
1 seat left
Sat, Dec 6 · 7:30 AM EST
Buck Ridge-Buck Hollow-Marys Rock (Rating: A)
Centreville Park and Ride, 14700 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA, US
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.

This is a strenuous hike of 9 miles and 2,600 ft elevation gain. First we'll get the heart pumping by immediately climbing up the 700 steps onto Buck Ridge. After doing another 2 miles on Buck Ridge Trail, we take the Fire Road to Skyline Drive, cross the road to ascend Meadow Springs trail to the AT. Head north on the AT until we hit Marys Rock, where we’ll stop to take in the view and catch a bite to eat. We’ll retrace our steps and eventually descend via the gorgeous, stream-side Buck Hollow trail. Several stream crossings are required. We hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph when moving.

Please bring, lunch/snack, water, and proper footwear. If it is a cooler day, please dress in layers and avoid cotton. Traction gear may be required in the unlikely event of snow/ice in the mountains.

Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy

Leader: Edward Schaefer 703-850-3251 (C)

Basics:
- Distance: 9 miles
- Elevation gain: 2600'
- Rating: A (strenuous)
- Park Entry Fee: $0 (due to starting on Rt. 211)
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 7:30am. Suggested carpool fee is $7. The leader will be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18

Trailhead: Meet at Buck Ridge trailhead on Route 211 at 8:30am. Trailhead parking is limited, carpoolong is encouraged. GPS coordinates: 38.658491, -78.281944
https://goo.gl/maps/hRP3Qd8MyrQcZDDb7

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.

Alltrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-july-29-2022-309928d?u=i

Driving Time to trailhead is 1 hour minutes from the Centreville area of I-66 and exit 52.

You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain. There is significant uphill in the first couple of miles.
19 attendees
Sat, Dec 6 · 3:00 PM EST
Jones Point to National Harbor, Christmas Tree, Food & Fireworks (Rating: C Fun)
Jones Point Park, Jones Point Dr, Alexandria, VA, US
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.

Let's Hike/walk to the Christmas Tree, Lights & Fireworks @ The National Harbor

Come join us on an easy-moderate 8.5+/- mile 230+/- ft elevation gain 2.3-2.7 mph walk from Alexandria, starting at Jones Point Park. We will walk along the water in Alexandria, then walk across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge to the National Harbor located in Maryland (Oxen Hill). '

We'll eat individually or in small groups (bring your own food or there are many take-out places) at the National Harbor (you can pick your own place to get food). I am bringing soup for myself & plan on eating outside by the tree & harbor. You are welcome to join me. But if you are cold there are several restaurants with indoor dining.

We will stop a couple of times on the WW Bridge to enjoy the daytime views of Alexandria, DC and the National Harbor from the bridge. Then we will enjoy the sunset, and the lights at the National Harbor. At 5:30 they will start the FIREWORKS DISPLAY & light the 60 foot Christmas Tree adorned with over 2,000,000 twinkling Christmas lights. As soon as fireworks are over, by 6pm, AS A GROUP, we will start to head back to our cars and enjoy the lighted views of the National Harbor, Alexandria and DC. We should be done and in our cars by 730pm.

BRING WATER, & HEADLAMP OR FLASHLIGHT

WEAR SNEAKERS or any hiking shoes, your choice. (I am wearing sneakers) Mostly/All Paved surfaces

DRESS WARM-BE PREPARED AS THE TEMPERATURE WILL DROP AS THE SUN SETS & AS WE WALK BACK ACROSS THE BRIDGE. And there is always wind as you walk across the bridge.

NO PETS
65 attendees
Sun, Dec 7 · 9:30 AM EST
Conowingo Eagles (Rating: C)
SUSQUEHANNA STATE PARK, 4122 Wilkinson Road, Havre de Grace, MD, US
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.

(9ish-mile, flat, riverside out-and-back fitness and nature hike to view Conowingo Dam's famous bald eagles.)

DESCRIPTION: We'll hike at a moderate pace (2.5 to 3 mph with several stops for whatever nature we find) from the gorgeous stone Rock Run Grist Mill along the scenic Susquehanna River to Conowingo Dam, which is famous for attracting eagles for its feast of fishes. (The fish are stunned after their fall from the dam, making for easy pickings by eagles, cormorants, and other birds.) At the dam we'll stop for at least 1/2 hour or more, depending on the eagle activity and hikers' desires.

Most of our hike will be in Susquehanna State Park on a wide fire-road type dirt trail, along with a couple of miles of single track, and a short portion of unimproved dirt trail with railroad tracks still crossing it.
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/documents/ssp_map.pdf

EAGLE ACTIVITY: Around Thanksgiving, eagles from the south and north are reportedly drawn to the dam -- along with scores of photographers with pricey long lenses. Photographers mainly like to capture the eagles catching their fishes and flying with them. And some like to focus on fights! Sometimes subadult to adult eagles fight each other for the fishes, flipping upside down and clasping talons. It's the Wild West of the bird world! Some eagles bring their fish suppers to the trail side of the river to eat them so even without binoculars, we can probably see some of them relatively up close, depending on how long we stay. While some eagles come close as they fish, you can virtually always find gobs of them hanging out on the boulders and trees across the river with cormorants, herons, and other birds. So BINOCULARS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. We could see from a dozen eagles to more than a hundred. It varies on the eagles, the wind speed and direction, the temperature, precipitation,and the rate of water flow from the dam. Some eagles also nest along the river and live there year round.

IMPORTANT NOTES: ADULTS ONLY & NO PETS. Not even pet eagles. Finish time of 4:00 pm is approximate for planning purposes depending in large part on how much time we choose to spend watching the eagles at our lunchtime turnaround spot and if we spy any nature along the way. It's about 100 miles or roughly a 1.5 to 2-hour drive (withOUT traffic) on I-95 from Fairfax.

MEETING PLACE, SUSQUEHANNA STATE PARK:
9:30 a.m., at the Rock Run Grist Mill in Susquehanna State Park. Here's the park's official address but DO NOT USE IT for a map/directions: 4122 Wilkinson Rd., Havre de Grace, MD 21078 (Overflow parking available up the hill behind the restroom building.)
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/central/susquehanna.aspx
USE THE FOLLOWING GPS COORDINATES FOR MAP/DIRECTIONS and be aware that Google usually gives you at least two routes into the park. I PERSONALLY ADVISE AVOIDING the Lapidum Road entrance and Stafford Road east of the gristmill.
Copy these coordinates into Google Maps: 39.607930, -76.142324
And/or click here for the Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EnZWr5TgKjupQnci8

TRAIL MAPS:
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/central/Susquehanna/Trails.aspx
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/documents/ssp_map.pdf

BRING: Sense of humor, sense of awe, water, and lunch. IMPORTANT: Bring extra WARM clothing (coat, hat, gaiter, scarf, gloves, hand/toe warms, etc.) in your backpack for our lunch because it feels FREEZING where we will stand/sit and watch the eagles, especially if it's windy. Optional but highly recommended: camera and/or binoculars.

RESTROOMS: At start and at our turnaround point.

WEATHER: Rain or snow cancels. A weather update will be posted here by 5 pm on 12/5.

BALD EAGLE FUN FACTS: Females are bigger than males, juveniles don't have white tails and white heads until about age 5, they can live to be at least 38 years old, and they sometimes prefer snatching a fish from another bird to fishing themselves. Around DC proper, some begin nesting in December. The bald eagle was chosen the national emblem of the good ol' US of A in 1782 but it didn’t become law until Dec., 2024. The Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940 made it illegal to possess, kill, or sell them.

HOW TO AGE A BALD EAGLE:
https://avianreport.com/age-and-identify-a-juvenile-and-sub-adult-bald-eagle/

EBIRD CONOWINGO DAM:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L189368
EBIRD SUSQUEHANNA STATE PARK:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L447466
CONOWINGO ON BIRDER’S GUIDE TO MARYLAND & DC:https://birdersguidemddc.org/site/conowingo-dam-fishermans-park/

CONOWINGO DAM:
https://www.facebook.com/exelonrecreation/
https://www.constellationenergy.com/our-company/locations/location-sites/conowingo-hydroelectric-generating-station.html
CONOWINGO SPILL GATE HOTLINES: 1-877-457-2525, 1-888-457-4076
CONOWINGO PHONE #S FOR SPILL-GATE ACTIVITY:
https://cleanchesapeakecoalition.org/spill-gates-hotline/
Conowingo Spill Hotline (877) 457-2525
For the number of crest gates open and peak river flows.
Conowingo Generation Hotline (888) 457-4076
For the number of units operating and Conowingo Pond elevations.
27 attendees