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
31
North Reston Lakes and Woodlands (Rating: C)
Lake Newport Tennis Courts, 11452 Baron Cameron Ave, 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 is a 7.9 mile hike with 450 feet of elevation gain around lakes and among the woodlands of North Reston. We will begin at the Lake Newport Tennis Courts in Reston and take various trails and paved paths through Reston. About 70% of the hike is on paved paths. Along the way we will pass lakes Newport, Anne and Fairfax, hike on the west side of Lake Fairfax Park, along the W&OD equestrian trail, Hidden Creek Country Club golf course and pass through Reston Town Center and Lake Anne Plaza. Slightly before the halfway point we will stop for a snack break. Two small stream crossings required.
Restrooms are available at the Lake Newport Tennis Courts and in Reston Town Center.
NVHC hiker Maurice will assist in guiding us through this route.
GPS Coordinates for Lake Newport Tennis Courts: 38.971147, -77.343537 https://goo.gl/maps/xZkAyae9M6TiEC857
We hike at a pace of 2.5 to 3.0 mph while moving.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyLeader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
AllTrails map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-hike-at-north-reston-lakes-and-woodlands-56c5fa3?u=i&sh=7cs7ov
28 attendees
Providence Park-GMU & Live Jazz (Rating: D)
Providence Park, 10715 West Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA, Fairfax, 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.
Have you ever explored the lovely grounds of George Mason University? Join me for a new 5 mile hike from Providence Park to George Mason, followed by FREE, live jazz! Starting in Providence Park, we'll take the connector trail to George Mason University, which crosses 123/Ox Rd. We'll loop around campus past some highlights (including the very cool observatory) and sculptures. We'll break for lunch on the patio outside Johnson Hall. You can bring your own, or purchase something from the food court. Following lunch, we'll head to the deLaski Performing Arts Building, 4480 Aquia Creek Lane. The concert will run from 12:30-1:15pm, featuring Shawn Purcell Jazz Combos. Following the concert, we'll walk back to Providence Park. For those wanting to skip the concert, you are welcome to head back early on your own. We should finish the first part of the hike by 11:30.
MEET: Please plan to meet at 9:15am for a 9:30am start at Providence Park, 10715 West Dr., Fairfax. Look for the FYPC Club House and playground.
HIKE: ~5 miles with little elevation gain, the majority on pavement to include some urban sidewalks. Pace will be 2.5-3mph while moving. We will be stopping at various points around campus. It's about 2.3 miles round trip from Providence Park to GMU, then about 2.5 miles around campus.
RESTROOMS: Porta potty at Providence Park at the start, plus The Observatory for a quick break. The Johnson Center also has restrooms.
FEE: No cost for parking or concert
DOGS: No dogs please
LEADER: Kris N (618) 623-2484. If you message me, please include your name. Thank you.
25 attendees
South Run to Burke Lake Loop (Rating: C)
South Run Field House, 7550 Reservation Dr., Springfield, 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.
Details:
This is 8 mile walk mostly in the shade and on partially paved wide trails from South Run Park to and around Burke Lake. The route is mostly flat with a mix of paved and dirt trails on this hike (250 ft elevation gain.) We will walk 2.5 to 3.0 mph when moving with a brief break (restrooms / snack) part way through.No park entrance fee.
Bring:
Adequate water/hydration. Snacks/lunch. You may want to bring insect repellent and sunscreen. Most of the hike is in the forest canopy other than a couple of short sections.Dogs are welcome. Dogs are welcome on the hike (see the NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy )
MEET AT THE END OF THE PARKING LOT - NEAR GREEN ROOF FIELDHOUSE BUILDING - see map below.
GPS: 38.74676, -77.27376
If there are any impacts to parking at the Fieldhouse due to events, we'll park by the Rec Center and walk down.Please arrive a few minutes early to get signed in. We start promptly at 9:00 am
South Run Field House has restrooms. There will also be a restroom about 3/4 of the way.Post-hike rehydration TBD
Trail Map:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/burke-lake-via-south-run-district-park?If you have any questions, please message me on Meetup or text me at 202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
25 attendees
Past events
4986
