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
34
Emerald Pond - Bird Knob (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.
11 miles with 2,400 feet elevation gain.
Description:
This hike will be in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests, where we will hike the Emerald Pond-Bird Knob circuit. We begin at the now closed old Massanutten Visitor Center at New Market Gap and then use the Massanutten South, Browns Hollow, Roaring Run, and Bird Knob trails to form the circuit. Emerald Pond, a small pond about midway through, provides a great spot for lunch and cooling off your feet. Bird Knob provides a great overlook vista to the west. There may be a couple of stream crossings depending on recent rains, some stone stepping involved.Hiking Pace:
The pace will be 2.5 mph, slower uphill.Bring:
At least 2-3 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots. Hiking poles if you use them. Recommend insect repellent and sunscreen.Note Difficulty:
Rating: A (difficult). You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain. There are some significant climbs.Fee:
There is no parking fee for this hike.Dogs:
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy. Please ensure your dog is capable of this distance and elevation gain.CARPOOLING:
For those who are looking to carpool, meet at and plan to leave at 7:15am to arrive at the trailhead in time to get signed in and start hiking at 9am. Centreville Park & Ride GPS 38.836038, -77.455371**.**
Neither the Club nor the hike leader is 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. Suggested carpool fee: $10.00 per rider. Driving time from Centreville Park & Ride to trailhead is about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Note: If you are driving directly to the trailhead, meet at the trailhead at 9:00 am at the old Massanutten Visitor Center (now closed) GPS Coordinates: 38.642621, -78.611218 https://goo.gl/maps/GFpkeLKNkshFMxv4A
Maps:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/emerald-pond-9cea886?u=i&sh=oxfau4
Any questions?
Message me on Meetup messenger or text me, 703-310-8659. If you text me, please include your name.30 attendees
Prince William Forest Park (Rating: B)
Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center, 18170 Park Entrance Rd, Triangle, 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 circuit hike with 675 feet of elevation change.
Description: A scenic hike along the Quantico Creek and the adjoining forest. We will hike several trails including Laurel Loop, South Valley, North Valley, Taylor Farm Rd.
There are several rolling hills, but they are short and spread out. It will be a nice workout!The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
Info: There are restrooms at the Visitor Center area where we start as well as Turkey Run Education Center where we will stop for lunch.
Bring: At least 2 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are a few rocky areas and tree roots along the way. Hiking poles if you use them. Insect repellent. Most of our hike will be in the forest canopy.
Fee: The park entrance fee is $20 unless you have a National Park Pass. Military, veterans, and gold star family members are also eligible for free admission.
https://themilitarywallet.com/military-free-admission-national-parks/
Dogs are welcome. NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:00am.
Prince William Forest Park link: https://www.nps.gov/prwi/index.htm
If you haven't hiked with me before, please provide your full name, cell phone number and emergency contact number. You can text me the info or message me on Meetup Message, don't post it in the comments. You must be able to hike this distance, any questions regarding that please contact me.
Meeting Place Instructions:
We are meeting at the Pine Grove Picnic Area near the Visitor Center. There are two parking areas in an L shape - you can park in either area, but we will meet down near the playground.
Take the SECOND left after entering the park and continue straight ahead into the large lot. GPS Coordinates 38.55931, -77.34853Optional post-hike rehydration at Stonebridge Potomac Town Center.
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
45 attendees
Arlington Cemetery in honor of Veteran's Day (Rating : D)
Theodore Roosevelt Island, Theodore Roosevelt Island, Washington, DC, USA, 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.
6.5 miles with an elevation gain of 259 feet.
Veterans Day in the United States is observed annually on November 11. The holiday was originally established as Armistice Day in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson to mark the end of World War I.
In 1954, Congress and President Dwight D. Eisenhower renamed the holiday to Veterans Day to honor all American military veterans who served in any war or conflict, living or deceased.
Memorial Day, on the other hand, honors service members who died while serving in the military.
Observance of Veteran’s Day at Arlington National Cemetery.
Description
We will walk along the Mount Vernon Trail in direction of Arlington National Cemetery. Once there, we will need to go through SECURITY. There may be many people arriving for the
Veteran’s Day on Wednesday, November 11.We will visit the JFK Memorial, the Arlington House and observe the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which takes place on the half hour.
Leaving the cemetery, we will cross the Memorial Bridge to visit the National Military Monument which leaves Washington on November 12.Where to Meet:
Meet at the Roslyn end of the Roosevelt Island parking lot at 8:30 to allow everyone to get signed in and ready to hike at 9:00 am. The back of my White Honda HRV will be up.By Metro: The island is a 10-15 minute walk from the Rosslyn Metro station toward the Key Bridge. A short paved connecting trail leads downhill to the Roosevelt parking lot. A small green sign indicating Roosevelt Island at 0.25 mile on the right.
By Car Drivers can only reach Theodore Roosevelt Island from the Virginia side of the river in the northbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. After Memorial Bridge, follow the signs and turn right into the parking lot.
GPS Coordinates: 38.8958415°N, -77.0624191°W
LINK to Roosevelt IslandPace: 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 at Arlington Visitor's Center and at the Arlington House.
Arlington National Cemetery MAP .
Questions, please message me here or text to 703 533 9231
Dawn9 attendees
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Walk (Rating: C, Fun)
Location not specified yet*** New Trial Process - No More Signing In ***
Step 1: Read the Liability Disclaimer: https://www.nvhc.com/signin.pdf
Step 2: When prompted, type:
"I Accept" /Full name/Contact number/Emergency contact number
Example: "I accept. Jane Doe, (703)555-5555, (301)666-6666."
This is a trial process and is not available on all hikes.LENGTH: 6.3 miles ELEVATION: 200 feet PACE: 2.5 miles per hour
ADVANCE RESERVATION REQUIRED - See below.
COST: About $120.
DESCRIPTION
On this hike we will participate in the annual walk across the iconic Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Stunning views, with about 4.2 miles of the hike being on the bridge. For those with mild acrophobia, the event will provide, I think, an opportunity to try out gradual exposure; they can start away from the edge and as their confidence grows, move towards the edge. The annual walk features thousands of participants.See link below with details on the trip:
LOGISTICS
Cost: It costs about $100 per person plus $20 for parking.Refund: The event does not provide refunds; we go rain or shine.
Signing Up: Please sign up using the link provided on their site.
Wave Selection: Select Wave C, departing at 7:30 a.m.
Group: Select "Northern Virginia Hiking Club". The password is
"NVHC-Password-88" (without the quotes).Shuttle Buses: See event details for more info. In order to make the 7:30 departure time we must board the shuttle buses (from any of the lots) at 6:30 a.m. The leader will board from the Annapolis Exchange lot (Orange).
How to Keep Together: Given the multiple parking lots it may not be practical to meet at a lot. Let's try to meet at the starting point just before we walk on the bridge just before the 7:30 departure.
Post-Event Celebrations: We will participate in the celebrations, to be held on Kent Island, prior to boarding the shuttle back to the parking lots.
Bibs/Event Packet Pickup: They have a schedule; packets can be picked up at any of the designated places spread throughout the suburban MD area up to a week in advance per schedule. (You can also have them mailed to you for additional cost.)
Eve Dinner (Optional): Let's get together for dinner in Annapolis Saturday (Nov 7) evening at 6 p.m. Location to be announced. Seats limited; if interested please confirm before Sep 7 (Labor Day).
14 attendees
Past events
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