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
19
Catlett Mountain Loop (Rating: A)
Centreville Park & Ride Lot, 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.
Hike Description: This hike is about 11 miles long with an elevation gain of 2,050 feet. It begins from the Old Rag Parking Area (we have to use the overflow lot because of construction). We'll walk on the road to the Nicholson Hollow trailhead, and quickly come upon 2 water crossings with large rocks to hop (the Hughes River, and Brokenback Run). We will follow Nicholson Hollow Trail along the Hughes River for about 2 miles until we reach the intersection with Hannah Run Trail where we will turn right and continue our ascent. After about 1.7 miles, we will make a short descent to Hannah Run followed by a short but very steep climb back out to the ridge. At the top of the ridge, the Hannah Run Trail will wind through a plateau on Catlett Mountain for 0.4 miles and arrive at the intersection of the Catlett Mountain Trail. We will turn right on Catlett Mountain Trail and follow it as it descends into a hollow and passes a campsite and creek in 1.0 miles. From the creek and campsite, the Catlett Mountain Trail will gently climb to the intersection of the Hazel Mountain Trail in another 0.2 miles. We will turn right on Hazel Mountain Trail for 0.5 miles to the intersection of the Hot-Short Mountain Trail where we will turn right. We will follow Hot Short Mountain Trail as it descends somewhat steeply for about 2 miles to the Nicholson Hollow Trail. We turn left, retracing our steps, and reach the parking lot in just over 2 miles.
Leaders: Caroline S (703-489-1315), Mary Ellen T
Rating: A
Pace: Between 2.5 and 2.7 mph
Pets: No dogs on this hike as there are numerous stream crossings.
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride in time to depart no later than 7:00am. Suggested carpool fee is $8. The leader will be at the carpool location. Driving time to trail head from the carpool location is about 75 minutes. Feel free to post a comment if you can offer a ride or need a ride.
Centreville Park & Ride, 14700 Lee Hwy. Centreville, VA
https://maps.app.goo.gl/b2UHNkwWYnMyR52d6
GPS Coordinates: 38.83613014358188, -77.45523134440845Trailhead: Old Rag Parking (Overflow Lot)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RFK5qWsJhgiqEWoZ9
38.57077391943691, -78.28670595128106Hike Start Time: 8:30AM
Park Entry Fee: $30 or National Park Pass
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.
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.
13 attendees
Mulberry Madness Mystery Hike #1 (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:
3400 Bryan Point Rd., Accokeek MD
https://www.nps.gov/pisc/planyourvisit/ncf.htm
USE THIS GPS: 38.694773, -77.065278 . Park in dirt parking lot on the RIGHT, not at the farm buildings. Walk toward the river for the visitor center. It's NOT the building in the parking lot.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/L5ryrJdoGXtv6bGC7BRING: 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.
24 attendees
Lost River State Park, WV (Rating: A)
Centreville Park & Ride Lot, 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 11.6 mile hike with 2000' elevation gain in Lost River State Park, WV ( http://www.lostriversp.com ). We will hike on the Cranny Crow/Big Ridge trails. We will have beautiful views along the way including Millers Rock and will pass many interesting structures. This park is about a 2 hour drive from the Centreville Commuter Lot. Even the drive has great scenery.
We hike at a 2.5-3.0 mph pace when moving.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Park Entry Fee: $0
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920
Carpools: Arrive at the Centreville Park and Ride at 6:45am carpools depart at 7:00am. Suggested carpool fee is $14. The leader will be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
Driving time from Centreville to trailhead is ~2 hours with pit stop.
Trailhead: Meet at Lost River State Park at 9:00am hike starts at 9:15am. Park at the first lot just before and adjacent to the swimming pool. GPS Coordinates 38.895211, -78.924458 https://goo.gl/maps/L6KevYXSY7dXDTBd7
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.
AllTrails Map for Hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/lost-river-state-park-d9fc5b7?u=i&sh=7cs7ov
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain.
33 attendees
Memorial Day Weekend National Mall Monuments & Memorials (Rating: D)
Smithsonian Castle, 1000 Jefferson Dr SW, 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.
6.8 miles with 127 feet elevation gain. Let's celebrate Memorial Day weekend by hiking to see some of the wonderful monuments and memorials on and around the National Mall.
The National Mall in DC is full of many beautiful monuments and memorials. One could spend many days exploring them all. On this trek, we will focus on the National Mall and Tidal Basin area
The pace will be about 2.0-2.5 mph to allow time to enjoy the sights, take photos, and reflect on our national history as we honor the fallen.
We are meeting at the Smithsonian Castle Haupt Garden. I'll be in the back (south side) of the Castle at the Haupt Garden sitting on a bench enjoying the view, so find me thereabouts. This area faces Independence Ave.
Our trek will take us to a number of locations including NMAI Native American Veterans Memorial, Eisenhower Memorial, Ulysses Grant Memorial, Peace Memorial, National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, Constitution Gardens, Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Franklin Roosevelt Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
Best way to get to the Smithsonian Castle:
Metro: Best option -The Smithsonian Castle is very close to the Smithsonian Metro Station (see https://goo.gl/maps/aT5Y6Wwte7P2), be sure to exit to the National Mall side.
Alternatively you can go to the L'Enfant Metro.
Another option is the National Archives metro which is a fairly short walk to the Castle.
If you would really rather drive, there is metered street parking available both on Jefferson Dr. (on the front side of the castle) or the Haupt Garden side at 1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560. Please note that parking can be difficult to find on a nice weekend holiday.There are several public restrooms along our route.
Bring some hydration and snacks as you desire. The route is basically level. Most of the hike will be on paved surfaces so wear comfortable walking shoes.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy NOTE: There may be some restrictions regarding dog access such as inside the Lincoln & Jefferson Memorials, so please check in advance of bringing your dog. They are certainly welcome outside.
Meet at the Castle 15 minutes early to allow everyone to be signed in and get ready to hike at 10:00am.
We will plan on an optional rehydration after the hike for those interested.
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
61 attendees
Past events
4820
