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
21
Bikelane Brewery to Meadowlark Botanical Garden- (Rating: C/B)
The Bike Lane, 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Reston, 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 will be an "out and back" hike covering 9.2 miles with 469 feet of elevation gain. We'll start at the Bike Lane Bike Shop and Brewery and hike on the W&OD , the Twin Branch Trail and the Meadowlark Connector Trail. At the end of the hike we can gather for a beer or other cold beverage at the brewery.
Meadowlark Botanical Garden is one of the true gems of Northern Virginia and features a Korean Bell Garden.
To quote from the Washington Post**:**
"The only Korean Bell Garden in the Western Hemisphere is the place to start: The centerpiece is a natural wooden pavilion — built entirely without nails — holding a three-ton bell, handmade in South Korea and decorated with flora and fauna. The garden also contains a mix of plants native to Korea and Virginia, protective figures carved from volcanic rock called dol hareubangs, walls decorated with images of flowers and symbols of longevity, and a koi pond with a fountain. "To quote from the Meadowlark Garden website:
" Koi swim in Lake Caroline as if parading their gem-like scales among the snapping turtles with decades of filamentous algae streaming from arching shells. October highlights are: False aster (Boltonia asteroides), azure monkshood (Acontium carmichaelii), Canadian burnet (Sanguisorba minor)."We'll stop at the Meadowlark Visitor Center where you can relax, browse the exhibits or take a stroll in the Gardens (General Admission $9 with $5 for those over 60).
We hike at a pace of approximately 2.5 mph while moving. You must be experienced with hikes of this length and elevation gain.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Please note only service animals are allowed in the Garden and Visitor Center so canine hikers will have to wait outside during our stop.Leader: Steve Frith cell 703-629-0174
Park Entry Fee: see above description for optional stroll through the Garden
Map for hike:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/custom-route-1b24bc3?u=i&sh=iypgzx
24 attendees
Workhouse to Occoquan & SUFFS Broadway Cast (Rating: D)
Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Wy, 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.
The SUFFS are coming to the Workhouse! Join us for a 5 mile hike and for those who are interested, a special media event to follow with cast members from the Tony Award winning Broadway musical SUFFS. This free Q&A will take place at noon in the Workhouse Quad under the Rizer Pavilion. The actors who portray these historic figures will stand on the very ground where the real suffragists were incarcerated. SUFFS is currently on tour and will be performing at the National Theatre in DC.
History: The Occoquan Workhouse (later known as Lorton Prison) opened in 1910 as a self-sustaining, open prison with a working farm and railroad. This eventually grew into the 3,000 acre Lorton Prison complex, which expanded to include women's and youth facilities and a Nike missile site. The suffragists who fought for women's voting rights were imprisoned here and force-fed, which was considered the turning point in passing the 19th amendment. We'll pass the Turning Point Suffrage Memorial, located within Occoquan Regional Park. The Prison closed in 2001.
Post-hike rehydration for those interested at the Bunnyman Brewing Cafe, located within the Workhouse Arts Center campus. They offer a full lunch menu as well as beer, usually wine and cider, and other non-alcoholic beverages including coffee.
DISTANCE: ~ 4 miles
ELEVATION GAIN: ~ 400 feet
PACE: ~ 2.5-3 mph
TRAILS: Paved, dirt with some roots and short hills
MEET: Picnic tables across from the big green barn as you come in the entrance closest to Workhouse Rd. Arrive by 8:45am to check in.
RESTROOMS: Bunnyman Brewing Cafe at the start
PARK FEE: None
DOGS: Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
POST-HIKE: Bunnyman Brewing in the Workhouse Campus
LEADER: Kris N. (618) 623-2484How to get there: From I-95 South, exit 163. At the end of the exit ramp take a right onto Lorton Rd. Follow Lorton Rd for 2.1 miles then turn left on to Workhouse Road. In 0.5 miles turn left at the sign for the Workhouse. Then take the first right and park (one of the North Parking lots). I'll be at the picnic tables across from the big green barn. Please arrive by 8:45 am so we can get everyone checked in and start on time.
40 attendees
Fountainhead Regional Park (Rating: B)
Location not specified yetYou 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.
Overview: This is an 8.5-mile hike with about 800 feet of elevation gain. The pace will be about 2.0 - 2.5 miles per hour.
This hike is in the “northern / southeastern” portion of the Fountainhead Regional Park. There are porta-potties / restroom facilities by the main parking lot where we meet.
Important Note: The trail could be muddy in places and there are sections in which there is no discernible trail which may require us to navigate by going from blaze to blaze in heavily wooded areas which always makes this hike interesting. There are no significant stream crossings.
Meetup: We will meet at the main parking lot at GPS 38.724916, -77.329928 no later than 8:30 AM.
Fees: There is no park entrance fee.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy.
Leader: Jim Hollis (703-927-7189… please use text)
33 attendees
Billy Goat B & C Trails, C&O Towpath - (Rating: C)
Billy Goat Trail Section C, Naval Surface Warfare Center 38.972500, -77.200000, Carderock, 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.
8 miles with 450 feet elevation gain.
Let's hike Billy Goat C and the recently reopened Billy Goat B trail which has been closed for several years. One of my favorite sections, I'm glad it's back!
Let's recognize the Juneteenth holiday with beautiful hike along the scenic C&O Canal National Historical Park towpath. This trek will include a hike on Billy Goat B & C trails with great views of the Potomac River, as well as a bit of the Gold Mine trail and Burma Road. This route includes a very scenic section of the towpath.
Description:
We'll start our hike on Billy Goat C trail and hike until we connect with the C&O Canal towpath. We'll hike to Anglers Inn area for a break before we connect with Burma Road and a portion of the Gold Mine trail. After that, we're back on the towpath where we will connect to the Billy Goat B trail. After completing Billy Goat B, we'll then connect back to the towpath and return to the trailhead parking.Note: Billy Goat B and C each have a stream crossing which are fairly easily crossed by stone stepping.
The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
Bring:
Adequate water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots on both Billy Goat B & C.
Restrooms are available at the Carderock Picnic Area parking lot where we start as well as at Anglers Inn parking. Hiking poles may be useful if you normally use them. Recommend sunscreen and insect repellent.Trailhead:
We will meet in the Carderock Picnic Grounds parking lot in Carderock Recreation Area.
Please plan on being there at 8:45am so we can get everyone signed in and start the hike on time.Dogs are welcome.
Dog Policy https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyThere are no fees.
Map of Hiking Trails at Great Falls, Maryland:
https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/upload/Great-Falls-Hiking-Map.pdfDirections to Carderock Picnic Grounds Parking at Carderock Recreation Area:
From I-495, take the exit for Clara Barton Pkwy, continue on the Pkwy until you see the exit for Carderock near the Naval Surface Warfare Center. After exiting at Carderock, you will pass under the towpath tunnel. Turn left after going under the towpath tunnel and continue into the picnic grounds parking lot.
The parking lot is also labeled with signage as Parking Lot 1.
GPS 38.97122, -77.19874Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
50 attendees
Past events
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