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
24
Trumbo Hollow to Mosby Campground (Rating: A)
Centerville park and ride, 14700 Lee Highway, Centreville, Centerville, VA, USREQUIRED: 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 out & back hike is about 10 miles with 1900 feet elevation gain on the AT. We start from Rt. 55 in Linden, and take the AT south to Mosby campground. On the way back, approximately 7 miles into the hike, we'll stop at the Jim & Molly Denton Shelter for lunch.
Leader: Maryellen Trevisan 202-730-5314
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 45 minutes. Please arrive at the Park and Ride by 7:15AM to form carpools so all cars can leave at 7:30AM. Suggested carpool fee is $5.
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: Parking area off 55 and Tucker Ln in Linden at 8:15AM. Hike begins at 8:30am.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y5c6M2nJPyheGTtk9
If parking is full, drive down Tuckers Lane to AT Trailhead parking and walk back to meeting spot.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UJowgptvZb2YAkdv8Park Entry Fee: $0
Rating: A
Pace: Average pace 2.7 mph
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Hiking Map:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/trumbo-hollow-via-appalachian-trail-2a50e9c?u=i&sh=rr7xq6You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, elevation gain and speed.
12 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 ~ 7.3 mile hike with ~780 feet of elevation gain.
We'll start by hiking through a full growth hardwood forest of Elm, Ash Trees, and Tulip Poplars, the tallest deciduous tree in North America. We'll then connect to the Potomac Heritage Trail with its wildflowers and massive Sycamore trees. The hike is a loop. Part of the hike will be along the Patowmack Channel created by a series of islands in the river.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-bb66-9e9de4a74efd
29 attendees
Upper White Oak Canyon Trailhead to Hawksbill (Rating: B)
White Oak Canyon Parking, 400 Skyland Upper Loop Mile 42, Luray, 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.
Join us for a 8.5 mile hike with 1,640 feet elevation gain in the central section of Shenandoah National Park. We start at the UPPER White Oak Canyon TH off Skyline Dr. and go south on the AT to Hawksbill. After lunch we'll return via the Crescent Rock, Limberlost, and White Oak Canyon Trails.
Need to Know Information:
*Hike Starts: 9:00 AM (Please arrive a 15 minutes early to sign in)
*Distance: 8.5 miles
*Elevation: 1,640 feet elevation gain
*Pace: Moderate Pace of 2.0-2.5 mph when moving.
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.
*TRAILHEAD Location: UPPER White Oak Canyon Trailhead. 38.58586,-78.38309 https://maps.app.goo.gl/6x8UfrpikMqbJAaK9
*$30 park entrance fee. $0 with annual park pass.
*CARPOOLING: For those who are looking to carpool, feel free to use the comment section to organize.Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk.
*Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic
Leaders: Becky M. 703-229-9699 and David C. 571-643-38976 attendees
Turkey Run/Chain Bridge (Rating: B)
Turkey Run and Potomac Heritage Trailhead, 700 George Washington Mem Pkwy,, McLean, 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 mile loop with 1100ft. of elevation; Each 400ft. elevation = 1 mile, so hike is approx. 11.5 miles.
Please Note: this hike involves a lot of maneuvering over tree trunks, around rock and stream crossings.You must be capable of hiking this distance and elevation.
Join us as we hike along the Potomac Heritage Trail from Turkey Run to Chain Bridge through Fort Marcy and back.It is a scenic and very enjoyable hike!
DESCRIPTION:
We will descend from Turkey Run Park to the Potomac River to hike along the Potomac Heritage Trail. We will follow the trail through varied landscapes such as neighborhoods, highways, and along streams.We will stop and have lunch/snack near Fort Marcy and then continue along a lovely stream towards **Chain Bridge **trailhead where we turn around and head back to Turkey Run.
Facilities: NoneBring: adequate hydration, sturdy shoes, poles, snack/lunch, insect repellant
Pace: We hike at a pace of 2.0 to 2.5 mph while moving.
Dogs: No dogs on this hike per [NVHC Dog Policy]
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
Where to Meet:
We will begin at Turkey Run Park Lot C1 off of the George Washington Memorial Parkway.There is plenty of parking. I have a Honda Fit, the hatchback will be up.
Please arrive by 9:15 am to allow time for signing in. We'll start hiking at 9:30am.
GPS Coord: 38.964339, -77.153148
LINK: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KDBQ5BdcVQRGHCnP7
Post-Hike Fellowship: TBDLeader: Dawn please message me here or text to 703 533 9231
25 attendees
Past events
4843
