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
18
Keys Gap to Split Rock via Appalachian Trail (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 hike is a 11 mile out and back, with an elevation gain of about 1,700 ft on the Appalachian Trail, following the border of Virginia and West Virginia, from Keys Gap (Route 9) to Loudoun Heights. We will view but not descend into Harper’s Ferry before turning back. Our pace will be about 2.5 MPH
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
We meet at the Keys Gap Parking lot on the north side of Rte 9 (GPS: 39.2616, -77.7624) just west of Hillsboro, VA. Carpools are highly encouraged, since parking is tight. Overflow parking is available a short distance away at the corner of Rte 9 and Charles Town Road (GPS: 39.2621, -77.7649)
Suggested Carpool location is Centerville P&R. Suggested carpool fee is $7.00. Hike leader will not be at carpool location.
Neither the Club nor the hike leader is responsible for coordinating transportation to/fro the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride to the trailhead from the carpool location. Carpools are organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk.
Try to get to the trailhead a few minutes early so we can get signed in and start promptly at 0900.
Hike map: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/west-virginia/keys-gap-to-split-rock-via-appalachian-trail
Bring a snack or early lunch and plenty of water.
Leader: Dick Pregent 703-587-2359
Driving time from Northern VA is about 1 hour.
Parking Fee: free
18 attendees
Prince William Forest Park (Rating: C)
Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground, 5475 Turkey Run 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.
Hike Details: This hike is 8 1/2 miles with 670 feet of elevation gain, on dirt trails. This is almost a "B" hike. We hike at a pace of about 2.5-3 mph while moving.
The Mountain Laurel should be in full bloom. We will hike the Taylor Farm/Burma Road, North Valley, South Valley and Turkey Run trails. Trails are a little rocky in spots. Easy stream crossings and plenty of shade.
Parking: Trailhead parking is at the Turkey Run Education Center
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2iVq8gSJxmu5p1BV9
GPS Coordinates: 38.582832, -77.373761Directions to park: I95 South to Exit 150B. Follow for 400 yards to entrance to park. Enter park and take first left after entrance kiosk.
Parking is about a 8 minute drive from the park entrance. It is not the main parking lots by the Visitor Center. Please arrive 15 min early to sign in.Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Leaders: Kris Needham 618.623.2484 and Dane Luck 703.850.3266. Note: Cell reception is poor to non-existent in the park. If you send us a message, please include your name.
Park Entry Fee: $20.00 or free with National Park Pass
Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/pwpf-mt-laurel-loop-8-miles-70e9dbe
36 attendees
Algonkian Park Nature Sanctuary and Horsepen Run Preserve (Rating: C)
Volcano Island Waterpark, 20015 Volcano Island Dr, Sterling, 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 ~ 8.4 mile hike with ~100 feet of elevation gain in Algonkian Regional Park. We'll start on the Potomac Heritage Trail (PHT) and hike upstream through the Horsepen Run Preserve making a return loop. We'll then head downstream on the PHT to the Algonkian Nature Sanctuary where we'll make a loop and then return to the start point. The Algonkian Regional Park Sanctuary consists of 30+ acres of wetlands on Lowe's Island adjacent to the Potomac River. The wetlands are a unique part of the Potomac that supports a variety of flora and fauna including Bald Eagles.
There will be some hiking along the Potomac River, the golf course and recreation areas. We will start on the PHT near the parking lot at Volcano Island Waterpark in Algonkian Regional Park (GPS coordinates: 39.061784, -77.386796). Some of the hike is on trails, pavement and gravel road. We hike at a pace of 2.5 to 3.0 mph while moving.
Dogs are welcome 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.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-january-31-2024-e5ae7b1?u=i&sh=iypgzx25 attendees
Arlington Cemetery- In their Honor (Rating: C)
Columbia Island Marina, Washington, DC, 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.
7.4 miles with an elevation gain of 210+ feet.
Description:
In honor of Memorial day we will begin our hike from the Columbia Island Marina parking lot and proceed along the Mount Vernon Trail offering a splendid view of the Potomac River and well-known Landmarks.Arriving at the Arlington National Cemetery, we will need to go through security. Once in the cemetery we will visit the JFK Memorial, the Arlington House and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
There is the option of witnessing the changing of the guard at the Tomb which takes place on the half hour.
Please consider wearing a white top to make it easier to identity group members as their will be a lot of people.
Pace: The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
Bring: adequate water/hydration, snacks/lunch, insect repellant and sturdy hiking shoes and hiking poles if you use them.
Fee: None
Dogs: Dogs are not welcome. NVHC Dog Policy
Weather: weather for this location is HERE.
Where to Meet: We will meet up in the Columbia Island Marina parking lot.
GPS Coordinates: 38.87651,-77.04947
Google Map linkThank you so much for being ready to hike at 9:00 am to allow time to check-in and be ready to leave on time at 9:30 am.
Please note that there are Facilities at Columbia Island Mariana, at Arlington Visitor's Center and at the Arlington House.Arlington National Cemetery Map .
Post Hike Fellowship: Island Time Grill at Columbia Island Marina
Feel Free to reach out via text with any questions, Dawn K 703 533 9231 If you do text me, thank you for including your name.
23 attendees
Past events
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