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
27
Big Schloss loop (Rating: A)
Centreville Park & Ride, 14700 Lee Hwy, 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 hike in the GWNF is approximately 12.2 miles long and has an elevation gain of 2,400 feet give or take. The top of Big Schloss peak is an interesting rock formation with great views. Hikers must be physically fit and able to maintain an overall pace of 2.25 to 2.5 miles/hour when moving.
This hike is at the upper end of the "A" range. If you have not recently done an "A" hike or at least two "B" hikes, this hike is not for you. Please message the leader if you have any concerns about your ability to complete this hike.
Basics:
Distance: 12.3 miles
Elevation Gain: ~2400'
Rating: A (due to distance and elevation gain).
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
Carpool details:
Meeting place: Centreville Park and Ride (38.835996, -77.455574)
Meeting time: please be a few minutes early for departure at 7:00
Driving time to trailhead: 1 hour 30 minutes without stop
Carpooling is highly encouraged because parking is limited at the trailhead.
Suggested carpool fee (Riders pay drivers): $8
Directions from Centreville to the trailhead: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JpLNvGrRPdoQtpiX6
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 participation is at your own risk.
Trailhead details:
Location: Little Stony Creek Trailhead parking, GWNF 38.93340,-78.65435
Meeting time at trailhead: 8:45 am for a 9:00 am departure
Please let the group know (in the chat) if you plan to meet us at the trailhead..
Map of the hike (and more details): https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/west-virginia/big-schloss-loop
Hike starting time: 9:00 am
Please bring lunch, snack, 2 quarts of water, hat, bug spray, first aid kit, and proper footwear. Hiking poles advised. The trails may be wet and muddy in sections.
Alex Kennedy 703-310-865920 attendees
Antietam National Battlefield - Bloody Lane and Beyond (Rating: B)
Carderock Recreation Area, Potomac, 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.
10 mile circuit hike with 700 feet of elevation gain.
Description:
Join us for the opportunity to better experience the rural landscape of one of America's best preserved battlefields by hiking a combination of some of Antietam's beautifully maintained trails. There are several rolling hills but they are short and spread out. This will be a nice workout without a lot of elevation gain.Antietam, was the scene of the deadliest one-day battle in American military history which included an horrific battle on what is now called Bloody Lane Trail.
Our trek will coincide with the 164th anniversary of the Antietam Battle and there should be some events to observe.
Carpools:
Meet at the Carderock Recreation Area (main picnic area parking lot) , GPS Coordinates: 38.97112, -77.19842 . The leader will be at the carpool location. Driving time to the trailhead from the carpool location is about 1 hour, 15 minutes. Plan on leaving the carpool location at 8:00am. Suggested carpool fee is $8.00Trailhead:
If you are going directly to the trailhead, meet at the Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center at 9:30am. GPS Coordinates: 39.474278, -77.744583
https://goo.gl/maps/z2N6nCSqT7G7nHXu8Neither 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.
Park Entry Fee: $20 per car. Free with National Park Pass. Military and veterans are also eligible to enter free by showing military/veteran ID.
https://themilitarywallet.com/military-free-admission-national-parks/
Show your pass at the Visitor Center desk.The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
There are restrooms at the Visitor Center, but nothing else beyond that. We will stop for lunch about halfway through the hike.
Bring:
At least 2 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are a few rocky areas and tree roots. Hiking poles if you use them. Insect repellent and sunscreen.Dogs are welcome. NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
NOTE:
If you going directly to the trailhead, the hike starts at 9:30am at Antietam Visitor Center. Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:30am.Post-hike rehydration: Potomac Ridge Brewing
Any questions, please message me on Meetup or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
26 attendees
Gravelly Point-Tidal Basin-Hains Point Loop (Rate: C)
Vance Field (Gravelly Point), 12 Mt Vernon Trail, Gravelly Point Park, Mt Vernon Trail, Arlington, 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.
9.2 miles with an elevation gain of 62 feet.
Description:
We will begin our hike from the Gravelly Point parking lot and proceed along the Mount Vernon Trail offering a splendid view of the Potomac River .
Once over the 14th Street bridge we will hike around the Tidal Basin and Hanes Point. before returning to Gravelly Point along the Mount Vernon Trail.Pace: The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
Bring: adequate water/hydration, 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.
Facilities: Gravelly Point, Hanes Point
Where to Meet:
We will meet up in the Gravelly Point parking lot.GPS: 38°51'56.6"N 77°02'24.8"W
LINK TO GRAVELLY POINTI have a White Honda HRV, the hatchback will be up. Thank you so much for being ready to hike at 8:45 am to allow time to check-in and be ready to leave on time at 9:00 am.
MAPFeel Free to reach out via text with any questions, Dawn K 703 533 9231 If you do text me, thank you for including your name.
21 attendees
Greenbrier State Park to Annapolis Rocks (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 trip.
This is a 9.5 mile hike with 1700 feet elevation gain. We will start at the Maryland Greenbrier State Park parking lot by the lake/Visitor Center, walk around the lake then take the Bartmans Hill trail up to the Appalachian (AT). We will follow the AT north to Annapolis Rocks for the view and lunch and then return to the cars.
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)
Carpools: Meet at the Dulles Town Center Park and Ride at 7:15am carpools leave at 7:30am, GPS Coordinates: 39.034079, -77.430102, https://goo.gl/maps/Drvzn7wmu76vnmgR6 . Suggested carpool fee is $7. **The leader will be at the carpool location.**
Driving time to the trailhead from the carpool location 1 hour 10 minutes.
If you are going to the trailhead, meet at the parking lot by the lake near the Visitor Center at arrive at 8:45 am hike starts at 9:00am, Parking GPS Coordinates: 39.536071, -77.618210
https://goo.gl/maps/dPQGy1zsaCVbrYuw5Park Entry Fee: The fee booth will be closed. You will need to pay with credit card.
Maryland residents $3/car
Out-of-state residents $5/car**Free with a Maryland State Park pass but you will have to go into the camp store near the fee booth to get a card from them that allows you to tap to get in for free unless you already have a state park card that allows you to tap to get in.**
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/greenbrier-state-park-annapolis-rocks-8123b78?u=i
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain..
32 attendees
Past events
4973
