What we’re about
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
29
Sugarloaf White Yellow Blue Purple Red (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.
Join me on this lovely 8.5 mile hike at Sugarloaf Mountain near Dickerson, Maryland with 1572 feet of elevation gain. We will meet in the parking lot at 8:45 am and start hiking at 9:00.
This hike has plenty of ups and downs, with a long climb late-ish in the hike, and then a final climb to the summit before we return to our cars. The climb to the summit is quite steep and rocky. However, you can choose to skip this section and follow the well-marked White trail back to the parking lot.
We will hike at a moderate pace of 2.5 miles per hour and stop at all intersections. Although there are no serious water crossings, there may be small streams to get across. We will enjoy a brief lunch or snack at White Rocks, about 4.5 miles into the hike.
We will park at the East View Parking Lot, take the White Trail down the mountain, the Yellow Trail back up, connect to the Blue Trail to enjoy the White Rocks overlook, then go up and over the Purple Trail, back to Blue, back to White, up Red to the summit, then Orange back to the parking lot--not quite a full rainbow hike, but close!
The weather is supposed to be in the 20s and low 30s on Tuesday, but with a high of 41 Sunday and 54 Monday, I don't think we'll have any ice on the trails.
There are two porta potties available near the parking area, as well as one at the base of the mountain. There is a suggested donation of $5, and I encourage hikers to contribute.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy. If you plan to bring a dog on this hike, please contact me about the dog’s prior hiking experience in winter conditions on rocky trails.
Leader: Becky Reickel 301-471-3641
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 7:30 a.m. Suggested carpool fee is $4.00 per rider. The leader will not be at the carpool location and will meet the group at the trailhead. Anyone intending to carpool may want to post a message to the group to be sure someone else will be there. GPS coordinates for Centreville Park and Ride: 38.836080, -77.455327. https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
Trailhead: Meet at the Sugarloaf East View Parking lot at 8:45 am for our 9:00. start. GPS coordinates: 39.260338, -77.390338.
https://goo.gl/maps/HyHoWHCFEJXrcDYB8
Park entry fee: Suggested Donation is $5
Rating: A
Map for the hike: 01302025 Sugarloaf Color Hike on AllTrails
https://api-v5.alltrails.com/explore/recording/activity-january-30-2025-5807a68-3?p=-1&sh=zg5qvz&utm_medium=map_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality11 attendees
Riverbend to Great Falls Loop ( Rate: C)
Riverbend Park Boat Ramp, Potomac Heritage Trail, Great Falls, 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 mile circuit hike with 646 feet of elevation gain.
Description:
This is a beautiful hike along the scenic Potomac River and adjoining Riverbend Park and Great Falls Park.
We will begin our hike in Riverbend and then follow the Potomac Heritage trail along the Potomac River to Great Falls.
We will stop at the Great Falls overlooks for some amazing views of the falls and then continue on the River Trail as it winds along Mather Gorge We will then connect to the Ridge Trail to Old Carriage Road, and back to Riverbend. Lunch break at the Ridge trail intersection.
Hike Pace: Pace will be about 2.5 mph.
Bring: Adequate water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas/tree roots on the River Trail. Hiking poles if you normally use them. There are no stream crossings. Recommend insect repellent and sunscreen.
Fee: There is no entrance fee at Riverbend Park, but I will need to collect $2.00 from each hiker to cover the cost of group fees at Riverbend. for groups of 12 or more. I will get the Group Permit in advance. Small bills only please!
Dogs: dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
Great Falls Park trail map:
https://www.nps.gov/grfa/upload/GRFA-complete-map-508.pdf
Where to Meet: Meet in the parking lot across from the Riverbend Park Visitor's Center 15 minutes early to allow everyone to get signed in and ready to hike at 9:00 am.
Coordinates 39.01817, -77.24599
Address: 8700-8814 Jeffery Rd, Great Falls, VA 22066
Any questions, please text/call Dawn 703 533 923135 attendees
Meadowood Recreation Management Area (Rating: D)
Meadowood Mountain Bike Trail Parking, 10100 Gunston Rd, 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.
Distance: about 4.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Hike pace: about 2.0 - 2.5 mph
Restrooms: Port-a-potty in parking lot
Entrance fee: None
No dogs, please.
Let's wrap up 2025 with a morning hike through a lesser known but beautiful part of Fairfax County! We'll hike on the north section of Meadowood (the hiking and mountain biking section), through beech-oak woods in Mason Neck on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management under the Department of the Interior. We'll start at the Mason Neck Gateway parking lot (also known as the Mountain Bike Parking lot) on Gunston Road. We will hike the South Branch Loop Trail. I'm a wildlife biologist, so I may stop to point out wildlife, trees, and other natural things. The terrain is hilly. Light hiking footwear is sufficient. The trail may be muddy in sections. Bring water and a snack. We'll have a short snack break halfway through the hike. Please arrive around 8:50 to check in with the leader. Trail map: https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-02/Meadowoood%20SRMA%20Trail%20Map.pdf15 attendees
Tundra Swanfall at The Great Marsh (Rating: C)
Pohick Bay Regional Park, 6501 Pohick Bay Drive, 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.
About 8 miles with 150 foot elevation gain.
Let's greet the migrating Tundra Swans at the Great Marsh in Elizabeth Hartwell Wildlife Refuge as we also enjoy a bit of Pohick Bay Regional Park.
The Tundra Swans are back in town! These magnificent birds are spending the winter in the Great Marsh of Belmont Bay and will leave in mid-March for their breeding grounds in the tundra of far northern Canada near the Arctic Ocean.
“Swanfall” is the term used to describe the annual return of swans to their winter home here at Elizabeth Hartwell Wildlife Management Area.
The Tundra Swans are wintering in the Great Marsh, one of the largest freshwater marshes in Virginia.
Description:
We'll begin our hike in Pohick Bay Regional Park and make our way to Elizabeth Hartwell Wildlife Management Area and the Woodmarsh Trail to the bird viewing stand to see the Tundra Swans. We will retrace our hike back to Pohick Bay Park and the parking lot. There will be a great view of the bay area as well as a lake and marshes.
The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
There are restrooms at the Eagles Nest Veranda where we begin our hike.
Bring
Adequate water/hydration also snacks/lunch. The route is mostly level on a mix of hard and dirt surface. Some sections may get muddy after heavy rains. A good portion of the hike is on the multi-purpose paved bike trail and High Point Trail. The Woodmarsh trail is natural surface. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes. I recommend good hiking shoes as parts of some of the trails are covered by fallen leaves and tree roots.
Fee: No Fee
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Elizabeth Hartwell Wildlife Management Area:
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/elizabeth-hartwell-mason-neck
Pohick Bay Regional Park:
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/pohick-bay-regional-park
Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to be signed in and get ready to hike at 9:30am.
Meeting Place Instructions:
From Interstate 95 North:
- Take exit 161 to Lorton, Rt. 1 N.
- Go about 1.8 miles to first stop light and turn right on to Gunston Rd.
- Go about 3.2 miles on Gunston Rd to park entrance on left.
- Drive straight into the park all the way down to the marina area.
From Interstate 95 South:
- From I95 S, exit 163 to Lorton.
- Left onto Lorton Rd at the end of exit ramp.
- Go under second overpass and turn right onto Lorton Market St. (You will see Shoppers Food Warehouse)
- Go about 1.1 mile to traffic light at RT. 1.
- Go straight through light (road name changes to Gunston Rd) and go about 3.2 miles to park entrance on left.
- Drive straight into the park all the way down to the marina area.
Make sure to go past the Pohick Bay Golf Course and Meadowood Stables on Gunston Rd. Turn left on Pohick Bay Drive, at the park entrance. After entering the park, go straight down the road to the marina area. When you get to the Eagle’s Nest, there is a parking lot just around the loop. Park there and we will meet at 9:15am so we can get everyone checked in. There are restrooms at the Eagles Nest Veranda. GPS: 38.67467, -77.16711
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.34 attendees
Past events
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