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
Neabsco Creek Boardwalk to Leesylvania State Park (Rating: B)
Neabsco Regional Park, 15125 Blackburn Rd, Woodbridge, 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.
8.5 mile hike with 515 feet of elevation gain.
Join us as we hike from Neabsco Creek Boardwalk to Leesylvania State Park and back.
Description: We will start off at Neabsco Regional Park and make our way to the boardwalk and across the marsh at Neasbsco Creek. We have the potential to see various water birds and even a family of beavers. Once across the boardwalk, we will hike a short distance through the Julie Metz Wetlands area and then enter Leesylvavnia Park on the Potomac Heritage trail. We will hike several trails within the park which includes views of the Potomac River.
You must be capable of hiking this distance and elevation.
The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
There are porta-johns at the parking area at Neabsco Regional Park as well as restrooms at Leesylvania State Park where we will break for lunch.
Bring: Sufficient water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and good hiking shoes. There are no stream crossings. Hiking poles if you normally use them.
Fee: There is no parking fee at Neabsco Regional Park parking lot.
Dogs are welcome. NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Please ensure your dog is capable of this distance.Meet: At the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:00 am.
Leesylvania State Park: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/leesylvania
Neabsco Creek Boardwalk: https://www.visitpwc.com/listing/neabsco-creek-boardwalk/1648/
Meeting Place Instructions: We are meeting at Neabsco Regional Park parking lot at 15125 Blackburn Rd., Woodbridge, VA. Coordinates 38.61595,-77.27503
Leader: Gail Markulin (703) 402-5902 (C)
23 attendees
Dickey Ridge - Fox Hollow - Snead Farm (Rating : A)
Centreville Park & Ride, 14700 Lee Hwy, Centreville, VA, USREQUIRED: You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet
You 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 moderate hike of approximately 12 miles, out and back with an elevation gain of ~2200 feet. Much of the uphill is at the beginning of the hike. These are well-maintained trails with minimal small stream crossings. The pace will be 2.5 to 3.0 mph when moving. You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, elevation gain and speed.BATHROOMS: At Dickey Ridge Visitor's Center where we will stop for lunch. There is drinking water from the faucets to replenish our water supplies, but there are no vending machines or water/food for sale at the visitor center.
We hike at a fast 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/nvhcdogpolicyLeader: David K. 571-488-4449
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 7:00 am. The suggested carpool fee is $7. The leader WILL NOT be at the carpool location. I will meet you at the trailhead.
Park Entry FEE: None, because we’ll be parking just outside the park.
IF YOU WILL BE MEETING US AT TRAILHEAD: Please arrive at the trailhead by 8:00 a.m. There is limited parking at the trailhead on the side of the road before the Shenandoah National Park Front Royal Entrance Station. If you have gone to the park entrance, you have gone too far. The map coordinates for the parking are 38.905697,-78.198824.
Driving time to the trailhead from Centreville: 50 minutes.
Map of the hike: Note that the hike starts where the trail first crosses the road on the map (the GPS points are provided), not where it says start.
https://liveandlethike.com/2016/09/01/dickey-ridge-trail-section-1-shenandoah-national-park-va/3 attendees
Pinnacles Picnic Ground to Mary's Rock (Rating: B)
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.
7.5 miles with 1,400 feet elevation gain.
This is an out-and-back hike along the Appalachian Trail in the central district of Shenandoah National Park. Starting at the Pinnacles Picnic Ground, we'll hike the A.T. northbound, crossing over The Pinnacle, third highest peak in the park. We'll pass Byrd's Nest #3 shelter and on to Mary's Rock where we'll pause for a snack. Then we'll retrace our route back to the cars.
The pace will be about 2.0 to 2.5 mph.
Bring water/hydration, snacks, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots. There are no stream crossings.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Leader: Gail Markulin (703) 402-5902 (C)
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 7:30 am. Suggested carpool fee is $9. The leader will be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
Driving time from carpool location is ~ 1 1/2 hours.
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.
Trail Head Meeting Instructions:
Mile Marker 36.7 on Skyline Drive about 5 miles south of Thornton Gap entrance station.We are meeting in the parking lot at the far end,
Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to be signed in and get ready to hike at 9:30 am.
Fee: $30.00 park entrance fee (no fee for Park Pass holders).
AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/marys-rock-via-pinnacle-picnic-grounds
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain.
20 attendees
Manassas Gap to Whiskey Hollow Shelter (Rating: A+; **Fast**)
Centreville Park & Ride, 14700 Lee Hwy, Centreville, VA, USREQUIRED: You 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 morning workout. The hike is about 14.0 miles with 2900 feet elevation gain in TWM. We start from AT at Rt 55, go through Thompson Wildlife Management Area toward the Whiskey Hollow shelter.
We hike at a pace of 3+ mph when moving. This is considered a fast hike. You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, elevation gain and speed.Leaders: Xiaobin 857-408-1070
The hike leaders will meet at the trailhead at 8:00AM.For those wishing to carpool, the suggested carpool location is at the Centerville P&R. The driving time from there to the trailhead is about 45 minutes. Please arrive at the Park and Ride a few minutes before 7:15AM to form carpool so all cars can leave at 7:15AM.
Suggested carpool fee is $5.
PLEASE NOTE: 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.Trailhead: Parking area off 55 and Tucker Ln in Linden at 8:00AM
GPS Coordinates: 38.91129532513492, -78.05302182206734 https://goo.gl/maps/at1tsgKKYyhLNWP3A
Park Entry Fee: $0Rating: A+
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Hiking Map: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13dk7CIigQaiLI_ql-ZMB0jpug5wt4A1H/view?usp=sharing
3 attendees
Past events
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