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
36
Sherman Gap - Tuscarora - Fort Valley Overlook (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 9 mile circuit hike with an elevation gain of 2000' that will begin at the Elizabeth Furnace Day Use Picnic area in the Massanutten Mountains of George Washington & Jefferson National Forests. We will start on the Botts Trail then take on the Sherman Gap trail to the ridge. We will hike on the Tuscarora trail to Shawl Gap and then go ~.5mile out and back each way to a scenic overlook of Fort Valley where we will have lunch. We hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph while moving.
Park Entry Fee: $0
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 (C)
Carpools: Arrive at the Centreville Park and Ride at 7:30am carpools depart at 7:45am. The leader will be at the carpool location. Suggested carpool fee is $7. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
Driving Time to trailhead: 1 hour
If you are meeting at the trailhead arrive at the Elizabeth Furnace Day Use Picnic area in the back parking lot at 8:45am, hike will start at 9:00am, GPS coordinates 38.927787, -78.329496. https://goo.gl/maps/tC9toZsHwMeG9umh8
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/custom-routes/sherman-gap-tuscarora-fort-valley-overlook-076d6a4?u=i&sh=7cs7ov
**You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain.**
33 attendees
The Lincoln Memorial Undercroft and Beyond (Rating: C)
Lady Bird Johnson Park, Columbia Island, 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.
7,5 miles with 160 feet elevation gain.
Let's visit the recently opened Lincoln Memorial Undercroft.
The Lincoln Memorial undercroft invites you into a dramatic, previously unseen space beneath one of America’s most iconic monuments. This new 15,000‑square‑foot exhibit area reveals the massive concrete foundations that support the memorial and shares the story of how the Lincoln Memorial was built and how its meaning has evolved over the last century.Description:
On this trek, we will focus on the Lincoln Memorial and the Undercroft as well as the National Military Monument adjacent to the Memorial.The pace will be about 2.0-2.5 mph to allow time to enjoy the sights, take photos,
Our trek will start at Columbia Island Marina where we will connect to the Mt Vernon Memorial trail and hike to the Arlington Memorial Bridge. We'll cross over the bridge and stop at the Lincoln Memorial and National Military Monument. We will then head toward the National Gallery of Art for lunch and a visit. On the way back we will retrace our steps back to the Arlington Memorial Bridge and stop by the WWII Memorial and Washington Monument along the way. We will reconnect with the Mt. Vernon Memorial Trail and back to the parking lot.
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.Fee:
I have reserved timed tickets for 11:30 entrance into the Undercroft so you don't have to get a ticket. I will ask each hiker for $1 to reimburse me for the timed ticket service fee.Dogs:
Are not allowed on this hike.Meet:
We'll meet in the parking lot of the Columbia Island Marina, GW Parkway, Arlington, VA. GPS 38.87544, -77.04896We 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.
36 attendees
Mount Vernon Estates - Fort Hunt Park (Rating: D)
Fort Hunt Park, 8999 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, 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.
6.02 mile loop from Fort Hunt Park PICNIC AREA A to George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. Elevation: 246
Description: This is a lovely autumn hike along the Potomac River on the Mount Vernon Trail to George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens.
Once at the Mount Vernon Estates, allowing a leisurely lunch
on the outside terrace at The Shops. Pack a lunch or purchase something from the newly re-done cafeteria.Fee: There is no fee to enter Fort Hunt Park.
Restrooms: there are facilities near PICNIC Area A in Fort Hunt Park as well as at the GW's Mount Vernon Estates.
Pace: pace is about 2.5 mph while moving.
Bring: adequate water/hydration, also snack/lunch, and sturdy hiking/walking
shoes.Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
Weather: weather in this location is HERE.
Meetup Location: Fort Hunt Park, Picnic Area A,
8999 Fort Hunt Rd, Alexandria, VA 22308.
GPS: 38.7152° N, 77.0531° W. LINK
I have a White Honda HRV, back will be up. Please be ready to hike at 9:00 am so we can get signed in and leave at 9:30 am.MAP: Fort Hunt Map
Leader: Dawn K. Feel free to reach out to me at 703 533 9231
17 attendees
Fairfax CCT - Oakmont to Gabrielson Garden (Rating: B)
Oakmont Recreation Center, 3200 jermantown rd, oakton, 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 10 mile Hike with 450 feet of elevation gain along Section 7of the Fairfax Cross County Trail. We'll hike through the woodlands of Oakton. On the hike we'll pass horse paddocks and may even see a group of curious goats. This is one of my favorite sections of the Cross County Trail.
Meet in the parking lot on the left upon entering Oakmont Recreation Center. Most of this hike will be along Difficult Run. We will hike to Gabrielson Garden Park., where we will stop for a brief snack before turning around and returning. Most of the hike is on trails, except for a short asphalt section and a short section along a neighborhood streets.
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 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: $0.00Map for hike:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/connolly-cross-county-trail-lawyers-road-and-oak-marr-rec-center?sh=iypgzx&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality25 attendees
Past events
5007
