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
Sugarloaf Mountain Maryland (Rating: A)
Dulles Town Center Park & Ride Lot, Virginia, 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 9 mile circuit hike on Sugarloaf Mountain in Maryland. Based on the forecast we hope to see the peak of fall colors for this area. Total elevation gain is 1900 feet. Sugarloaf Mountain is a conservation/recreation area and is owned and managed by the Stronghold Foundation. We hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph while moving.
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 (C)
Park Entry Fee: $0. Stronghold is requesting that visitors make a voluntary donation of $5 or more. Your donations provide needed funding for maintenance of property and facilities. There is a box for donations as you enter the park.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Carpools: Plan to arrive at the Dulles Town Center Park and Ride at 7:45am carpools depart at 8:00am, GPS Coordinates: 39.034079, -77.430102. https://goo.gl/maps/Drvzn7wmu76vnmgR6 .Suggested carpool fee is $5. The leader will be at the carpool location.
Driving time to the trailhead from the carpool location ~1 hour.
If you are meeting at the trailhead go to the Sugarloaf Mountain East View Parking lot at 9:00am hike starts at 9:15am, GPS coordinates: 39.260250, -77.390561, https://goo.gl/maps/gmvqPhSfmy1CHdNn7
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/sugarloaf-mountain-b9f3581?u=i
**You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain.**
28 attendees
Manassas National Battlefield Park - First Manassas and Portici Loop (Rating: C)
Manassas National Battlefield Park Visitor Center, 6511 Sudley Rd, Manassas, 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.
7.7 miles, about 480 feet elevation gain.
Description:
Join us for a hike along the rolling fields and woods of the scene of the Civil War battle of 1st Manassas that occurred in 1861. The First Battle of Bull’s Run (also known as First Manassas) was the first major land battle of the Civil War. On July 21, 1861, the Union army, commanded by General Irvin McDowell engaged the forces of Confederate general, P.G.T. Beauregard, 25 miles southwest of the Capital. Although the Federal army achieved some early victories in the battle, Confederate reinforcements arrived, breaking the right flank of the Union lines. The Northern troops were routed as they tried to retreat.The battlefield is well maintained with noted significant event information along the way. We will take a side loop to Portici Loop where the Lewis Plantation known as "Portici" saw service as a Confederate headquarters and hospital at the First Battle of Manassas in July 1861 and as the setting of a small cavalry action at the end of the Second Battle of Manassas in August 1862.
Restrooms are available at the Visitors Center where we meet.Please plan on arriving at the Henry Hill Visitor Center by 9:15am so we can get everyone signed in an get ready to hike at 9:30.
Meetup Location:
Manassas National Battlefield Park
6511 Sudley Rd., Manassas, VA
Visitor Center parking lot GPS 38.81338, -77.52171Dogs
Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyManassas National Battlefield Park website:
https://www.nps.gov/mana/index.htmPark Fees: None
The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
Bring:
At least 2 liters of water/hydration, also snack/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots. Some of the hike is in open field areas. There may be one stream crossing which is easily crossed and there may be some muddy areas or watery areas if there has been recent rain.Post hike rehydration is planned.
Any questions please message me here or text/call me at 202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
30 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
26 attendees
Hemlock Overlook Regional Park (Rating: B)
Hemlock Overlook Regional Park, 13220 Yates Ford Road, Clifton, 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 with an elevation gain of 804 feet along a very well-maintained shaded forest trail. Every 400 ft of elevation is equivalent to a mile.
Description:
Hemlock Overlook Regional Park has network of walking and equestrian trails in a majestic, mature forest near Bull Run, which is a 31.8 mile stream (tributary of the Occoquan River) famous for being the site of two major American Civil War battles.The park is situated just outside the historic town of Clifton. Some of the oldest trees in the region provide a wonderful shade canopy. The National Old-Growth Forest Network recently added the park as an important site.
We will encounter varied terrain including steep hills and rocky sections.
Pace: The pace will be about 2.5 mph while moving
Bring: adequate water/hydration as there are no facilities until the end of the hike, snacks/lunch, 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:
13220 Yates Ford Road, Clifton VA 20124 -- gravel parking at the end of the road, right side. In the event this area is full, additional parking is available a little earlier on Yates Ford Road across from Paradise Springs Winery. I have a white Honda HRVGPS Coordinates: 38.767165, -77.403358 GPS LINK (Apple Maps)
POST-HIKE FELLOWSHIP: Paradis Springs Winery. There is a food- truck, but it is advisable to pack a lunch/snack.
Message me here or text me with your name to 703 533 9231
Dawn, Hike Leader24 attendees
Past events
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