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
12
Lubber Run - Bon Air - Bluemont (Rating: C)
Lubber Run Community Center, 300 North Park Drive, Arlington, VA, USWAIVER REQUIRED: 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.
HIKE: A 6-mile urban hike will take us through the Lubber Run Park, Bon Air Rose garden, Bluemont and Glen Carlyn parks, and Arlington neighborhood streets. We will be on natural trails for less than a mile; the rest of the time we will be on paved bike trails and sidewalks. We'll have a snack/restroom break part way through. There will be a few hills and some stairs.
Along the way, we'll see a beautiful stream, a large rose garden, and other gardens in bloom.
WHERE TO MEET: We will meet *inside* the Lubber Run Community Center, near the vending machines/restrooms (there is a large lobby area near the information desk).
There is a garage with free parking (up to 4 hours).
DISTANCE: 6 miles
ELEVATION GAIN: 400 feet
PACE: Our average moving pace will be between 2.5 and 3.0 miles per hour.
DOGS: Dogs on a leash are welcome in accordance with NVHC pet policy (https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy). (If you plan to have a dog, let me know; we may need to meet you outside.)
21 attendees
Meadowood Recreation Area to Pohick Bay Regional Park (Rating: C)
10702 Harley Rd, Lorton, 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 miles, about 600 feet elevation gain.
Description:
This hike will combine trails from both the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area and Pohick Bay Regional Park. Highlights of the hike are the streams and woods that both areas have, a pet cemetery, and Pohick Bay itself which is a great kayaking/birding area.We will meet at 8:45 am in the Meadowood Horse Trailer/Mustang Loop Trailhead parking lot to start our hike at 9:00am on the Mustang Loop Trail. We will hike a couple of trails in Meadowood then make our way into Pohick Bay Regional Park. We will stop for lunch at Pohick Bay Park Marina.
There is a restroom near the horse stable in Meadowood, about one mile into the hike where we will stop. Other restrooms are available in Pohick Bay.
Please arrive a few minutes early so we can get everyone signed in and start the hike on time at 9:00am.Most of the hike is in the forest canopy.
Meadowood Website: https://www.blm.gov/visit/meadowood-special-recreation-management-area
Pohick Bay Regional Park Website: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/pohick-bay-regional-park
Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Park Fees: No fees
The pace will be about 2.5 mph when moving.
Bring
At least 2 liters of water/hydration, lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes. . Hiking poles if you normally use them. Recommend insect repellent and sunscreen.Directions: to Meadowood Horse Trailer Parking Lot (Mustang Loop Trailhead parking):
From I95 going South: Exit 163 to Lorton. Turn left onto Lorton Rd, continue under the second overpass and turn right onto Lorton Market St. Continue approx 1.5 miles and continue through the Hwy 1 intersection where the road turns into Gunston Rd. Travel along Gunston Rd approximately 2.6 miles to Harley Rd on the right. Make the right turn and travel about 100 yards where you will see a dirt parking lot on the right which is where we’ll meet.
From 195 going North: Take exit 161 to Lorton, U.S. Route 1 North. Proceed about 1.5 miles to first stop light (intersection of Hwy 1 and Lorton Market St/Gunston Rd. Turn right onto Gunston Rd. Travel along Gunston Rd approximately 2.6 miles to Harley Rd on the right. Make the right turn and travel about 100 yards where you will see a dirt parking lot on the right which is where we’ll meet.
Meeting Place Instructions: Meadowood Horse Trailer Parking Lot, Mustang Loop Trailhead Parking: GPS coordinates 38.66810, -77.18789
Rehydration: TBD
Any questions please contact me at 202-528-0456, if you text/call please include your name
30 attendees
Prince William Forest Park (Rating: C)
Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center, 18170 Park Entrance Rd, Triangle, 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.
8.0 mile circuit hike with 600 feet of elevation change.
Description: A scenic hike along the Quantico Creek and the adjoining forest. We will hike several trails including Laurel Loop, South Valley, North Valley, Turkey Run Ridge.
There are several rolling hills, but they are short and spread out. It will be a nice workout!The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
Info: There are restrooms at the Visitor Center area where we start as well as Turkey Run Education Center where we will stop for lunch.
Bring: At least 2 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are a few rocky areas and tree roots along the way. Hiking poles if you use them. Insect repellent and sunscreen also recommended. Most of our hike will be in the forest canopy.
Fee: The park entrance fee is $20 unless you have a National Park Pass. Military, veterans, and gold star family members are also eligible for free admission.
https://themilitarywallet.com/military-free-admission-national-parks/
Dogs are welcome. NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:00am.
Prince William Forest Park link: https://www.nps.gov/prwi/index.htm
If you haven't hiked with me before, please provide your full name, cell phone number and emergency contact number. You can text me the info or message me on Meetup Message, don't post it in the comments. You must be able to hike this distance, any questions regarding that please contact me.
Meeting Place Instructions:
We are meeting at the Pine Grove Picnic Area near the Visitor Center. There are two parking areas in an L shape - you can park in either area, but we will meet down near the playground.
Take the SECOND left after entering the park and continue straight ahead into the large lot. GPS Coordinates 38.55931, -77.34853Optional post-hike rehydration at Stonebridge Potomac Town Center.
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
37 attendees
Past events
4869
