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
32
Clopper Lake Maryland (Rating: C)
Seneca Creek State Park Offices, Gaithersburg, 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.
This is a 6.8 mile hike with 500 feet elevation gain. We will start at the Seneca Creek State Park Visitor Center (it will be closed) and hike various wooded trails to the lake and then around Clopper Lake.
We hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph when moving.Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920(C)
No park entry fee.
Meet at 8:30am at the Seneca Creek State Park Visitor Center. GPS Coordinates: 39.151432, -77.249099. The gate is scheduled to open at 8am. https://goo.gl/maps/DGQAQGiJCr6EemMj7
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: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-hike-at-clopper-lake-ec3ba92?u=i
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.
31 attendees
Pohick Bay Regional Park (Rating: B)
PoHick bay Regional Park, 6501 Pohick Bay, 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.
Come explore a lovely, less-traveled NOVA Park. In addition to trails and boating, Pohick Bay also offers a waterpark, mini-golf, and campgrounds. It is adjacent to George Mason's home, Gunston Hall. This loop hike is about 9 miles/800 ft., with water views and wildlife. We'll stop partway for a snack break. Please arrive at 8:20am to sign in for 8:30am hike.
DISTANCE: 9 miles
ELEVATION GAIN: 800 ft.
PACE: 2.5-3.0 mph when moving
TERRAIN: Mostly dirt with roots, uneven surfaces. Gentle, rolling hills. No water crossings.
RESTROOMS: There are restrooms at the start, and another along the way.
DOGS: Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
LEADER: Kris N. 618-623-2484
PARK ENTRY FEE: $0.00. Please note that there is a fee for out of jurisdiction residents during summer, weekends and holidays.DIRECTIONS: From Richmond Highway, go south on Gunston Road for 3.7 miles. Go past the Pohick Bay Golf Course and Meadowood Stables. Turn left on Pohick Bay Drive. After entering the park, go straight. You will pass the disc golf, marina/boat rentals, Eagle’s Nest Veranda Shelter and boat launch parking. Loop past the Eagle’s Nest and you will see a parking lot on the right just past the boat launch parking lot. Plan to meet at 8:20am so we can get everyone checked in. There are restrooms at the Eagles Nest Veranda.
GPS COORDINATES FOR PARKING: 38.674144080696536, -77.16708759924298 https://goo.gl/maps/NBeoSDY3EuQvswqg9
8 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
30 attendees
Meadowood Recreation Management Area (Rating: C)
Meadowood Mountain Bike Trail Parking, 10110 Gunston Rd, Lorton, VA 22079, USA, 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.
Distance: about 7.25 miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Hike pace: about 2.5 - 3.0 mph
Restrooms: Port-a-potty in parking lot
Entrance fee: NoneWe'll hike through rolling hills on forested land and unpaved trails managed by the Department of the Interior. Meet at the Mason Neck Gateway parking lot (also known as the Mountain Bike Parking lot) on Gunston Road next to Gunston Elementary School. This is a relatively little-used gem for hiking in the well-preserved Mason Neck area. We will hike the South Branch trail, a short part of this trail is shared with mountain bikers. We then cross over Belmont Blvd and pick up the Meadowood Connector trail to the Wood Thrush Loop to Hidden Pond and retrace our steps back to the parking lot.
Please arrive around 8:50 to sign in with the leader.
Chip 703-798-3516
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy20 attendees
Past events
4996
