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
20
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) 963-893913 attendees
Mulberry Madness Mystery Hike #2 (Rating: C)
National Colonial Farm, 3400 Bryan Point Rd, Accokeek, MD, 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.
(Nature/exercise hike up to 8ish miles on largely flat dirt trails.)
MULBERRIES. THOUSANDS OF what is arguably the YUMMIEST OF OUR NATIVE BERRIES! Come to the National Colonial Farm at Piscataway Park to pick some to eat yourself along our hike and possibly to entice some hungry goats with delish mulberry leaves. They are just some of the human-loving colonial-era farm animals that dwell along the Potomac River. (I expect that it should be peak mulberry season.)
There are TWO PARTS to this MYSTERY HIKE. The main mystery is how far we will go, depending on hikers' desires and what we'll find along the way, and we'll visit some trails that haven't been recently scouted. FIRST: a foray with multiple stops around the farm and along the Potomac River to taste some native red and non-native white mulberries, eyeball birds and critters chowing down on the sugar-sweet berries, to meet colonial-era farm animals (such as sassy Hog Island sheep, awesome Ossabaw hogs, and perky turkeys), and to ogle the views of Mt. Vernon, across the river. (This protected National Park Service property exists to protect the views from Mt. Vernon!)
We'll hike at a 2.5 to 3-mile an hour pace while moving, but we'll DAWDLE A LOT to enjoy the other birds (such as sunflower-yellow prothonotary warblers and blindingly blue indigo buntings), skinks, lichens, and anything else that we stumble upon.
PART TWO is optional. We'll hike as close as we can get to Mockley Point, a farther-flung part of the park at a pace of around 3 mph with fewer stops. Near the river we'll dally a bit more to enjoy the views before returning to the start.
**MUST-READ/IMPORTANT NOTES: The end time is just for planning purposes. We'll likely end earlier, especially if you only attend the first part of the hike. Adults only. No pets, not even pet prothonotary warblers. Heavy rain cancels. Some of our route has NOT been scouted recently. The water in the restrooms may not be potable so bring plenty of your own water to drink and enough to wash off your mulberries. We can only pick roughly a pint of berries each so if you bring a container, keep it small!
WEATHER POLICY: Heavy rain cancels. Forecast will be posted here by 5 p.m. on Saturday.
MEET 10 am, VISITORS CENTER, NATIONAL COLONIAL FARM / PISCATAWAY PARK:
Note: on our 5/24 hike some Android phones steered hikers to the farm parking and not the visitor parking. Read the directions below carefully. Turn right into the VISITOR PARKING after entering the park. Do NOT continue straight and left to the STAFF parking. Click on the Google map I created below or copy of the GPS coordinates into Google or Apple Maps.
https://www.nps.gov/pisc/planyourvisit/ncf.htm
MEET 10 am VISITORS CENTER. USE GPS: 38.694549, -77.064994, Turn right for dirt VISITOR parking lot. Don't park in staff lot. Walk toward river to visitor center. Pin is in parking lot so maps don't misguide you elsewhere. See map in photos! https://maps.app.goo.gl/pWRTRvjUBAo8aFPZABRING: Mandatory water, sense of awe, and sense of humor, snack/lunch. Optional: hat, sunblock, bug spray, container and ice chest for your berries, fully-charged cell phone, and camera. (Long lenses also welcome.) On the Mockley Point leg, we may hike on one or two trails that haven't been mowed enough so long pants are recommended. (The leader will wear shorts though.) Binoculars or camera are also recommended.
RESTROOMS: At start and by farm office.
44 attendees
Big Schloss Cutoff to Tibbets Knob (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 two-summit hike in the GWNF is approximately 13 miles long and has an elevation gain of 3,500 feet give or take. We will summit Big Schloss first via the Big Schloss Cut-off Trail, go down to the campground, up to Tibbets Knob, and the return the way we came.
If you have not recently done an "A+" hike or at least two "A" hikes, this hike is not for you. The elevation in particular is challenging. If you have not hiked with me before, please message me with a recent A or A+ hike you have done in the last month.
Basics:
Distance: 13.3 miles
Elevation Gain: ~3500'
Rating: A+ (due to distance and elevation gain).
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
Carpool details:
Meeting place: Centreville Park and Ride
Meeting time: Please be a few minutes early for departure at 7:00
Driving time to trailhead: 1 hour 30 minutes without stop
Carpooling is highly encouraged because parking is limited at the trailhead. There is not a parking area, so parking is along the road.
Suggested carpool fee (Riders pay drivers): $10
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.
Trailhead coordinates:
Big Schloss Cutoff Trail: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1nwQXhnYP2r6STrN8?g_st=ac
Meeting time at trailhead: 8:45 am for a 9:00 am departure
Please let the group know (in the chat) if you plan to meet us at the trailhead and not at the Centerville Park and Ride.
Map of the hike:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/big-schloss-cut-off-to-tibbet-knob-7a614fd?u=i&sh=z7o4imHike starting time: 9:00 am
Please bring lunch, snack, 2 liters of water, hat, bug spray, first aid kit, and proper footwear. Hiking poles advised. The trails may be wet and muddy in sections.
Caroline S 703-489-131517 attendees
Dickey Ridge to Visitors Center/Return (Rating: B)
Centreville Park and Ride, 14700 Lee Highway, 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 8 mile out and back hike to the Dickey Ridge Visitors center with approximately 1,400 feet of elevation gain.
We are hiking from outside the Shenandoah National Park into the park to the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center and then back out. We are NOT meeting at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center.Speed: Our pace will vary from 2.0 to 2.5. The trail is well maintained with some short rocky areas.
Leader: Gail Markulin (703) 402-5902 (C)
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Trailhead Parking: Parking is on the side of the road by the trailhead and before the Front Royal Entrance Station. If you have gone to the park entrance, you have gone too far. The Dickey Ridge trailhead is right by the parking area. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Dickey+Ridge+Trailhead/@38.9062115,-78.19661,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x89b5c5e0b5d9c4f1:0xee10b295aebb171d!8m2!3d38.9062115!4d-78.19661!16s%2Fg%2F1tfj411p?entry=ttuMeet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to be signed in and get ready to hike at 9am.
Carpool Location: For those wishing to carpool, the suggested carpool location is at the Centreville Park & Ride, 14700 Lee Hwy in Centreville.
GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
The driving time from there to the trailhead is about 1 hour. Please arrive at the Park and Ride by 7:50 AM to form carpool so all cars can leave at 8:00AM. The leader will be at the Park & Ride.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.
Suggested carpool fee is $6.00.
Entry Fee: None
Map for hike: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ofxLeFFmHZ90xZKEleK_S6YaTbLx4OzO/view
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.Terrain: Well maintained trail with some rocky areas.
Recommended Equipment: Insect repellent, Hiking boots or shoes, snack/lunch, 2 liters water, hiking poles if you use them
27 attendees
Past events
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