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
Lost River State Park, WV (Rating: A)
Centreville Park & Ride Lot, 14700 Lee Highway, 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 is an 11.6 mile hike with 2000' elevation gain in Lost River State Park, WV ( http://www.lostriversp.com ). We will hike on the Cranny Crow/Big Ridge trails. We will have beautiful views along the way including Millers Rock and will pass many interesting structures. This park is about a 2 hour drive from the Centreville Commuter Lot. Even the drive has great scenery.
We hike at a 2.5-3.0 mph pace when moving.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Park Entry Fee: $0
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920
Carpools: Arrive at the Centreville Park and Ride at 6:45am carpools depart at 7:00am. Suggested carpool fee is $14. The leader will be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
Driving time from Centreville to trailhead is ~2 hours with pit stop.
Trailhead: Meet at Lost River State Park at 9:00am hike starts at 9:15am. Park at the first lot just before and adjacent to the swimming pool. GPS Coordinates 38.895211, -78.924458 https://goo.gl/maps/L6KevYXSY7dXDTBd7
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 for Hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/lost-river-state-park-d9fc5b7?u=i&sh=7cs7ov
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain.
22 attendees
Hemlock Overlook/Johnny Moore Stream Valley Park (Rating: C)
Hemlock Overlook Regional Park, 13220 Yates Ford Road, Clifton, 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.
Hike Details: This hike is 7 miles with 575 feet of elevation gain. We hike at a pace of about 2.5 mph while moving.
We will start at the Hemlock Overlook parking lot and hike down to the Bull Run/Occoquan trail. Turning west, we will go to the Johnny Moore Stream Valley, do a loop and then return to the lot, using the horse trail.
Note: The Bull Run/Occoquan trail is VERY rocky in parts and may be slick after the rain.Parking: Trailhead parking is at Hemlock Overlock Park, 13249 Yates Ford Road, Clifton, VA 20124
GPS: 38.76647761701829, -77.4067076400865Please arrive 15 min early to sign in.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Leader: Dane Luck 703.850.3266. Note: If you send a message, please include your name.
Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/custom-route-9d2024f
26 attendees
Memorial Day Weekend National Mall Monuments & Memorials (Rating: D)
Smithsonian Castle, 1000 Jefferson Dr SW, 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.
6.8 miles with 127 feet elevation gain. Let's celebrate Memorial Day weekend by hiking to see some of the wonderful monuments and memorials on and around the National Mall.
The National Mall in DC is full of many beautiful monuments and memorials. One could spend many days exploring them all. On this trek, we will focus on the National Mall and Tidal Basin area
The pace will be about 2.0-2.5 mph to allow time to enjoy the sights, take photos, and reflect on our national history as we honor the fallen.
We are meeting at the Smithsonian Castle Haupt Garden. I'll be in the back (south side) of the Castle at the Haupt Garden sitting on a bench enjoying the view, so find me thereabouts. This area faces Independence Ave.
Our trek will take us to a number of locations including NMAI Native American Veterans Memorial, Eisenhower Memorial, Ulysses Grant Memorial, Peace Memorial, National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, Constitution Gardens, Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Franklin Roosevelt Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
Best way to get to the Smithsonian Castle:
Metro: Best option -The Smithsonian Castle is very close to the Smithsonian Metro Station (see https://goo.gl/maps/aT5Y6Wwte7P2), be sure to exit to the National Mall side.
Alternatively you can go to the L'Enfant Metro.
Another option is the National Archives metro which is a fairly short walk to the Castle.
If you would really rather drive, there is metered street parking available both on Jefferson Dr. (on the front side of the castle) or the Haupt Garden side at 1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560. Please note that parking can be difficult to find on a nice weekend holiday.There are several public restrooms along our route.
Bring some hydration and snacks as you desire. The route is basically level. Most of the hike will be on paved surfaces so wear comfortable walking shoes.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy NOTE: There may be some restrictions regarding dog access such as inside the Lincoln & Jefferson Memorials, so please check in advance of bringing your dog. They are certainly welcome outside.
Meet at the Castle 15 minutes early to allow everyone to be signed in and get ready to hike at 10:00am.
We will plan on an optional rehydration after the hike for those interested.
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
56 attendees
Buzzard Hill via the Appalachian Trail (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 is a 9.2 mile out-and-back hike along the Appalachian Trail with about 3,000 feet of elevation gain between Harry Byrd Highway parking lot (just off the highway and down from Bear's Den) and Buzzard Hill. The terrain is challenging so hiking sticks are recommended.
- Start time: 8:30 a.m. (meet at the trailhead parking area 15-30 minutes early to allow everyone to be signed in and get ready to hike)
- Trailhead parking: Bears Den Parking Area (GPS coordinates 39.11540, -77.84728)
- Pace: 2 to 2.5 miles/hour when moving
- Hike map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/virginia/buzzard-hill-via-appalachian-trail--3?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map
- Leader: Dick Pregent 703-587-2359
Suggested Carpool location is Centerville P&R. Suggested carpool fee is $7.00. Hike leader will not be at carpool location.
Neither the Club nor the hike leader is responsible for coordinating transportation to/fro the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride to the trailhead from the carpool location. Carpools are organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk.
Dogs
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. Please contact the hike leader in advance if you intend to bring a dog. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy20 attendees
Past events
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