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
19
Manassas National Battlefield Park - Second Manassas & Brawner Farm (Rating: B)
Manassas National Battlefield Park Visitor Center, 6511 Sudley Rd, Manassas, 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 miles, about 540 feet elevation gain.
Description:
Join us for a hike along the rolling fields and woods of the scene of the Civil War battle of 2nd Manassas that occurred in 1862. This hike is rich in the history of this battle fought over three days. The battlefield is well maintained with noted significant event information along the way. We will take a side loop to Brawner Farm where Confederate Gen Stonewall Jackson engaged the Union forces of General Gibbon in a precursor to the 2nd Manassas main battle.
We will then make our way back to the 2nd Manassas trail and continue on to complete the loop back to our starting point.
We will meet at the Visitor Center which has restrooms available.
Please plan on arriving at the Visitor Center by 9:15am so we can get everyone signed in an get ready to hike at 9:30.
Meetup Location:
Manassas National Battlefield Park
6511 Sudley Rd., Manassas, VA
Visitor Center parking lot GPS 38.81294, -77.52148
Dogs
Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Manassas National Battlefield Park website:
https://www.nps.gov/mana/index.htm
Park Fees: None
The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
Bring at least 2 liters of water/hydration, also snack/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots. Some of the hike is in open field areas. There are no stream crossings, however there may some muddy areas if there has been recent rain.
Any questions please message me here or text/call me at 202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.23 attendees
High Knob via the Appalachian Trail (Rating: A)
Park and Ride Access Road, Park and Ride Acc Rd, 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.
This is a 10.75-mile out-and-back hike along the Appalachian Trail with about 2,000 feet of elevation gain. We'll start at the Trumbo Hollow Hike Trailhead and head south on the Appalachian Trail. After about 5.3 miles we'll stop for lunch and then head back the way we came.
Start time: 9:00 a.m. (meet at the trailhead parking area 15-30 minutes early for sign in)
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles/hour when moving
Hike map:https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/trumbo-hollow-via-appalachian-trail-350a379
Trailhead: GPS: 38.90944, -78.05324
CARPOOLING: Meet at University Blvd - Gainesville Park and Ride and plan to leave at 7:45 to arrive at the trailhead in time to get signed in and start hiking at 9am. The hike leader will not be at the carpool location. Park & Ride GPS 38.80063, -77.58771
Neither the Club nor the hike leader is 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. Suggested carpool fee: $5.00 per rider. Driving time from Gainesville Park & Ride to the trailhead is about 50 minutes.
Leader: Dick Pregent 703-587-2359
Dogs: Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. Please contact the hike leader in advance if you intend to bring a dog.
https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy26 attendees
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 hike with shaded trails and a sandy beach to take our break on. The hike is ~7,3 miles with ~800 feet of elevation gain in Seneca Regional Park. We'll start by hiking through a beautiful full growth hardwood forest and will then connect to the Potomac Heritage Trail. 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-bb66-9e9de4a74efd31 attendees
Buck Ridge to Mary's Rock (Rating: A ***FAST***)
Centreville Park & Ride, 14700 Lee Hwy, Centreville, VA, USREQUIRED: You must read the following information 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 brisk morning workout. The hike is about 8.8 miles with 2600 feet elevation gain in SNP. We will start the hike by climbing 615 stairs on Buck Ridge. Once reaching SLD, we will take an out-and-back to Mary's rock. Return via Buck Hollow.
We hike at a pace of 3-3.3 mph when moving. This is considered a fast hike. The plan is to complete before noon so you can have proper lunch elsewhere.
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, elevation gain and speed.
Leader: Xiaobin 857-408-1070
The hike leader will meet at the trailhead at 8AM.
For those wishing to carpool, the suggested carpool location is at the Centerville P&R. The driving time from there to the trailhead is about 1 hour 10 minutes. Please arrive at the Park and Ride a few minutes before 6:50AM to form carpool so all cars can leave at 6:50AM.
Suggested carpool fee is $7.
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: Buck Ridge Trailhead at 8AM
GPS Coordinates: 38.659803739145936, -78.28179773950886 https://goo.gl/maps/hgD9oLJWXvcC6K2N7
Park Entry Fee: $0
Rating: A
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Hiking Map: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q39SmtJXxhlCyLUI3Rr0Nr5gVsNmmc7v/view?usp=sharing3 attendees
Past events
4662
